By Annalisa (Snair) McCann ‘97
Working in the Alumni Office, I see the true commitment of alumni and supporters of Bishop Carroll. It is a true privilege to interact daily with the individuals who give freely of their time, talent, and treasure to make sure our school continues to thrive. To our donors and volunteers, Catholic education is a true gift that they believe in paying forward to future generations.
There is a giving opportunity offered by Bishop Carroll that I find particularly special and important. It’s the foundation of our giving program, in a sense, because it truly gives the gift of a Bishop Carroll education. This opportunity is the Named Scholarship program.
Named Scholarships create a direct link between donors and our students by supporting need-based tuition assistance. As a school family, we believe that every student should have the opportunity to receive a Catholic education, regardless of their family’s financial circumstances. Named Scholarships make this possible.
Named Scholarships provide need-based financial aid to students who are currently enrolled at Bishop Carroll. By establishing or renewing a Named Scholarship, you can make sure a deserving student receives the unique benefits of high-quality academics in a faith-based environment.
Here’s how:
Named Scholarships can be created in the name of a donor or donor family, or in honor or memory of an individual or family, named by the donor. This opportunity is open to individual donors, or to families, classes, teams, businesses, or groups of friends who want to come together to make a difference for students.
- A Named Scholarship requires a minimum gift of $500 per year for a three-year period.
- Scholarships are awarded on a non-discriminatory basis at a minimum of $500 per student.
Donors may request that recipient students meet specific qualifications, such as parish affiliation or performance in an academic subject. Scholarships are not awarded for athletics. Named Scholarships are recognized annually on the Honor Roll of Donors and with a personal acknowledgment from a student recipient.
Many donors who commit to Named Scholarships are alumni who benefited from financial aid when they were students, making it a truly meaningful way to make a difference. Here is what some donors have said about their Named Scholarship commitments:
“I want to pay back what others gave to me and make sure Bishop Carroll is always an option for any student who wants to attend.”
“I am thankful that I had a Catholic education and I know it can be difficult for parents to afford the cost.”
“I received so much from my BC education, I want young people today to have this same opportunity.”
“BC played such a big role in my formative years. I feel an obligation to help keep it going and to give others that same experience.”
“I give because I am grateful. Bishop Carroll opened doors for me that would otherwise not have been available to me.”
If you’d like to support need-based tuition assistance by starting a Named Scholarship, simply contact me at [email protected] or by calling (814) 472-7500 and asking for the Alumni Office. I look forward to speaking with more alumni and donors about this life-changing opportunity for students.