Regina Rolwes said values found in Catholic school are critical as her son, Liam, enters the middle school years
Before sixth-graders at St. Gabriel School got down to business in religion class on a recent weekday, students offered prayer intentions and recited the Anima Christi prayer together.
Prayer during the school day is among the reasons Regina Rolwes sends her sixth-grader, Liam, to the school in St. Louis.
“It’s nice when your kid comes home and is excited to tell you what they’ve learned about in religion class,” Rolwes said. “He shares his thoughts and we talk about it. The priests come into the classroom to talk to the kids and teach, so we don’t only see them on Sundays. They’re there during the day and answering the kids’ questions.”
Liam is among more than 5,400 students receiving scholarships through the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation during the 2023-24 school year. The foundation provides need-based scholarships to students attending private and parochial schools throughout the Archdiocese of St. Louis. It is supported by the Annual Catholic Appeal, individual and corporate donors, grants and funding from other local foundations.
Liam attended Sacred Heart School in Florissant for preschool and kindergarten. When Regina Rolwes made a move for her job, she sent her son to a charter school in St. Louis and enrolled him in the Parish School of Religion at Epiphany for a few years.
As Liam prepared to enter fourth grade, Regina returned her thoughts to Catholic school. “I grew up going to Catholic grade and high school in St. Louis, and I remembered how beneficial it was for me in that environment,” she said. “The teachings and values consistent with our religious beliefs, the strong morals and the community stood out to me growing up.” With her son approaching middle school, Rolwes knew those values would be critical.
While researching Catholic schools online, Rolwes learned about the Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation on St. Gabriel’s website. “It was encouraging that they made such an effort to make the information accessible, and that (the foundation) cares for families in our community to make it affordable to go to a Catholic school.”
As a parent, Rolwes finds help with problem solving, looking toward the Church for guidance. With the support of a Catholic school community, “you feel you’re going down the right path and making good choices for your kid.”
Applying for a TTEF scholarship was a simple process, she said. The foundation’s staff quickly answered her questions and clearly communicated the deadlines and information needed for the application process. “Sometimes when you apply for things like this, you’re not sure if you’re going to hear back, but it was such a simple and easy process. I definitely felt supported.”
Apply for scholarships
The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation, with its partners, the Roman Catholic Foundation of Eastern Missouri, the Annual Catholic Appeal, the Office of Catholic Education and Formation and others, offers more than $11.2 million in scholarships and financial aid to families each year.
Last year, more than $865,000 was raised at the Archbishop’s Gala, which enabled the foundation to provide 506 children with scholarship this school year. The foundation’s next gala, celebrating its 15th anniversary, will be held April 25 at The Ritz-Carlton, St. Louis. For more information, see ttef-stl.org/archbishops-gala.
The scholarship application window for the 2024-25 school year opened Jan. 22. Families may apply for scholarships to attend any elementary school in the Archdiocese of St. Louis, any Catholic high school and any private elementary school in the City of St. Louis.
Families have the opportunity to apply for scholarship assistance through a unified online application, which is used for all scholarships funded by The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation and its partners, excluding MOScholars. Online applications are available at www.ttef-stl.org.
MOScholars
The Today and Tomorrow Educational Foundation (TTEF) has been selected by the Missouri State Treasurer’s Office as an educational assistance organization charged with administering MOScholars awards in eastern Missouri. TTEF raises funds through 100% tax credit contributions and in return, grant designated scholarship awards of $6,375 to eligible students residing in St. Louis City, St. Louis County, St. Charles County or Jefferson County. Student applicants may be either income-eligible or have an established IEP/ISP.
In the first 18 months of the program, TTEF has raised $6.2 million in tax credit contributions from a variety of individual and corporate donors. This year, TTEF has over $4 million in tax credits available for donors who desire to support Catholic and private education in our communities.
To donate, apply for scholarships or learn more about the program, visit www.ttef-stl.org/moscholars.
