Doubling support, deepening impact: How Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools expanded annual tuition assistance to more than $2M

This piece is sponsored by Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.

For more than 60 years, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools has been dedicated to making Catholic education accessible to every family who desires it. A decade ago, the system provided roughly $900,000 in annual tuition assistance to families across the Sioux Falls area. Today, that number has more than doubled to just over $2 million, opening the doors of Catholic education to more students than ever before.

“As a ministry of the church, we believe that every child should have the opportunity to receive an exceptional, faith-filled education — at an affordable price,” said Jenni Struck, director of admissions at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools. “The steady growth of tuition assistance over the past decade reflects that commitment in action.”

Power of endowments

One of the greatest blessings to the tuition assistance growth has been the strength of the Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools Foundation’s endowment program. An endowment is a special kind of gift that keeps giving forever. Instead of being spent all at once, the gift is invested, and a portion of the investment earnings is used each year to support the schools. The original gift amount — the principal — is never spent, ensuring that the fund continues to grow and sustain Catholic education for generations to come.

Network of support for families

Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools offers multiple forms of tuition assistance designed to meet a wide range of family needs:

• Family discounts – Families with three or more students enrolled are eligible. The program was expanded in 2023-24 to include preschool students and increase the per-student discount.
• South Dakota Partners in Education – This statewide program provides scholarships for eligible families. Household size and income determine eligibility.

• Foundation scholarships – Generous alumni, parishioners and community partners  believe in investing in future generations by creating endowments to fund scholarships. Today, over 200 students receive scholarships totaling more than $100,000.

• Need-based grants – Students who aren’t awarded system or outside scholarships are still eligible to receive grants based on demonstrated need.
• Hope Coalition – This local program provides scholarships to eligible preschool families, ensuring that early learners have access to faith-based education from the very beginning. Visit freepreschool.com to learn more.

• Fundraising and events – Each year, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools holds fundraisers and events that help build our community and create excitement for students and families. The systemwide fundraisers help support teachers’ salaries and provide tuition assistance.
• Gift card rebate program, or SCRIP – Families can earn tuition credits by purchasing everyday items like groceries, gas or dining out through the gift card rebate program. Every purchase helps reduce tuition costs while supporting the schools.

Each program plays a unique role in creating a strong, interwoven network of support that keeps Catholic education within reach for all who seek it.

Impact

Through all these combined efforts, Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools now awards more than $2 million in tuition assistance each year. In the 2021–22 school year, 38 percent percent of students from preschool through 12th grade received some type of tuition assistance.

By 2025–26, that number had grown to nearly 50 percent, reflecting a significant increase in families served and demonstrating the real, tangible impact of tuition assistance programs.

“Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools is committed to ensuring that financial barriers don’t stand in the way of a faith-filled, high-quality education,” Stuck said.

“Our expanded tuition assistance programs are designed to help more students access the education they deserve.”

Enrollment and tuition assistance applications open every February, so don’t wait to take the next step for your child’s education.

Inquire today to learn more and start your application! Click here to get started.