Nativity Catholic School accepts numerous scholarships provided by the State of Florida. We also offer need-based financial aid and other scholarships.
Catholic School Tuition Aid Grant (CSTAG) — Students receiving Step Up for Students, Family Empowerment, or AAA scholarships are eligible to receive CSTAG. The Diocese of St. Petersburg offers financial aid to students in pre-kindergarten through eighth grade. The application period opens on November 1st and closes in mid-March of each school year. The CSTAG application is the same as the Nativity Financial Aid (FACTS Grant & Aid) application. There is no need to complete two separate applications. All applications for CSTAG consideration must be completed and verified (all documents uploaded) by the deadline. Any family requesting need-based financial aid from the Diocese of St. Petersburg (DOSP) for the 2026–2027 school year will be required to submit an application for the FL state scholarship program. All families are eligible to apply for a Florida Tax Credit (FTC) or Family Empowerment (FES-EO) scholarship through the State of Florida, except students in PreK.
Nativity Financial Aid — Students receiving Step-Up for Students, Family Empowerment, or AAA scholarships are not eligible to receive Nativity aid. A limited amount of financial aid is available and will be awarded based on eligibility and available funding. Nativity Financial Aid is available for students without scholarships or any other financial assistance. You must submit your complete tax return and W-2s for the previous fiscal year.
To qualify and maintain eligibility for parish-supported financial aid, families must meet the following criteria:
- School Acceptance: The student must be formally accepted into Nativity Catholic School.
- Parish Registration: Parents/guardians must be registered parishioners of a Roman Catholic Church for at least 90 days.
- Active Participation: Families must actively participate in their parish for at least 90 days. The Finance Office verifies weekly Mass attendance and active status by using offertory envelopes or online giving.
- Application Process: The Nativity Financial Aid application can be completed during initial enrollment or at any time during the school year via the FACTS Family Portal under the Financial section.
Your application for Nativity Financial aid is complete when we have received ALL the supporting documents required for evaluation.
Step Up for Students — If your child receives a Step-Up for Students or Family Empowerment scholarship, please contact Elena Gonzalez at 813-689-3395 ext. 2232 or egonzalez@nativitycatholicschool.org. These scholarships provide financial assistance for private school tuition and related costs, public school transportation, and more. It is available to Florida residents, regardless of household income, who are eligible to attend a K-12 public school.* It is also available to dependent children of active military or law enforcement officers, children in foster care, siblings of Unique Abilities (UA) students, and children on out-of-home placement.
*First Priority is given to students with a household income of 185% or less of the federal poverty line.
- The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship (FTC) and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options (FES-EO) give families financial assistance towards private school tuition and fees. Scholarships are available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Apply at www.stepupforstudents.org.
- The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA) for students with certain diagnoses is delivered in the form of an education savings account (ESA) that families can use for educational services and products. To learn more, check eligibility requirements, and apply, visit https://www.stepupforstudents.org/for-parents/special-needs/how-the-scholarship-works.
Important Note on Step Up For Students (SUFS): The Step Up For Students scholarship (including FES-EO and FES-UA) provides a specific dollar amount based on your student's grade level and county of residence. While we are proud to accept SUFS scholarships, please be aware that the scholarship award amount often does not cover the full cost of tuition and fees. Families are responsible for the remaining balance (the "tuition gap") not covered by the scholarship.
Please contact Elena Gonzalez at 813-689-3395 ext. 2232 or egonzalez@nativitycatholicschool.org for more information.
