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 and the application for CSTAG is the same as the application for Nativity Financial Aid (FACTS Grant & Aid). 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 2024-2025 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. Recently passed legislation has removed income limitations beginning with the 2023-2024 school year.
Nativity Financial Aid - Students receiving Step-Up for Students, Family Empowerment, or AAA scholarships are not eligible to receive Nativity aid. Nativity financial aid is available for students who are not currently receiving any other scholarship or financial assistance. You will be required to submit your complete tax return and W-2s for the previous fiscal year. Weekly Mass attendance and the use of weekly envelopes are also required for eligibility.
Step Up for Students - If your child receives a Step-Up for Students or Family Empowerment scholarship, please contact Kathy Damico at 813-681-4608 ext. 2226 or kathy@nativitycatholicchurch.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 in 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.
AAA Scholarship Foundation If your child receives an AAA Scholarship, please contact Kathy Damico at 813-681-4608 ext. 2226 or kathy@nativitycatholicchurch.org. This state-approved nonprofit scholarship-funding organization helps administer and determine student eligibility for the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for lower to middle-income families. Scholarships are available to students in kindergarten through 12th grade, and this scholarship is for tuition and fees. To check eligibility requirements or to apply, visit the Florida Parents - AAA Scholarship Foundation.
Please contact Kathy Damico at 813-681-4608 ext. 2226 or kathy@nativitycatholicchurch.org for more information.
