Catholic education has long been a priority of the Diocese of Columbus. As an essential ministry of the Church that exists to complement the primary role of parents to educate their children and form them in virtues “… that will enable them to live a new life in Christ and help them to play their part in serving society and the Church,” (The Holy See’s Teaching on Catholic Schools 51) the importance and merit of a Catholic education cannot be understated.
But, like many things, affordability of a Catholic education can be a challenge for many families, especially during trying economic times. Additionally, the days of parishes having the means to significantly subsidize school operations are dwindling, requiring schools to adopt a multi-pronged approach to affordability, including the use of endowments, private scholarships, fundraising, flexible payment plans, and more.
Our Catholic Schools in the Diocese of Columbus received an enormous boost on this front in late 2021 when the Ohio legislature established the scholarship granting organization (SGO) tax credit that essentially allows taxpayers to redirect their tax dollars to support students in Catholic education. In exchange for a gift to a certified SGO, donors receive a dollar-for-dollar reduction of their Ohio income tax liability – up to $750 for an individual or $1,500 if married filing jointly – and the proceeds are used to provide needs-based academic scholarships for K-12 students. Recognizing the incredible impact this opportunity could have on helping families afford Catholic education, the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund was established by the diocese in December 2021, ultimately setting the stage for the greatest financial aid shift in decades.
And what a shift it has been. In the three years prior to the availability of SGO scholarships, total diocesan financial aid available was just $2.3 million and helped fewer than 3,000 students. Since 2021, with the addition of the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, the pool of diocesan financial aid has ballooned to almost $7 million, helping nearly 5,500 students.
“The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund has been such a blessing to so many in our diocese, enabling us to provide financial assistance to more families,” said Superintendent of Catholic Schools Dr. Adam Dufault. “This program, working in tandem with school choice scholarships, makes an authentic Catholic education at one of our 50 schools more affordable than ever before. It’s truly a win for families.”
Taxpayers also benefit with the SGO tax credit program. “This is a unique opportunity for Ohioans to reduce their state tax liability on a dollar-for-dollar basis and invest in the future success of students in Our Catholic Schools,” added Dufault. “It’s a win for taxpayers, as well.” Since its establishment, donors to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund have saved over $6 million in taxes, a number that continues to grow.
To learn more about our Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, visit www.emmausroadscholarship.org. Ohio tax credit is up to $750 for an individual or $1,500 if married filing jointly. Consult a tax advisor for guidance on your specific situation.