Catholic parents say financial help is priceless
Much has been written about the virtues of a Catholic education, but no one understands its impact better than the families who receive the support that makes it possible. Parents describe tuition assistance through the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) as a blessing — a God-given gift that allows them to choose the school that will best serve their child’s needs.
Much has been written about the virtues of a Catholic education, but no one understands its impact better than the families who receive the support that makes it possible. Parents describe tuition assistance through the Education Scholarship Trust Fund (ESTF) as a blessing — a God-given gift that allows them to choose the school that will best serve their child’s needs.
A teacher who sees the blessing from both sides
Kelsey Mitchell is a third-grade teacher at St. Joseph School and also a recipient of ESTF support for her family.
“St. Joseph’s is my first teaching position, and it has been such a blessing from the very start,” Mitchell said. “There is a strong sense of community, faith and purpose that sets St. Joseph’s apart. I love that I get to teach not only academics but also the Catholic faith.”
Regarding the scholarship, she said her family “has been blessed by the ESTF assistance. The application process was simple, and we felt supported the whole way through.”
Support for children with special needs
Elizabeth Wingard serves as the school’s student support facilitator and parent-teacher organization president. She and her husband have three children — Wyatt, 10; Ellie, 8; and Max, 7. Both Wyatt and Max have autism, and all three children qualified for an ESTF grant. Wingard said the financial support “eases the burden of tuition while we continue to face the overwhelming costs of raising two children with autism.”
She said the program “has been a true blessing for our family. It made it possible for us to send our three children to the right Catholic school for them — a school where they learn in faith, receive individualized support and belong to a community that truly understands their unique needs. We have seen incredible growth academically, socially and emotionally.”
A family rooted in St. Joseph for generations
Rebecca Manning’s family has been part of St. Joseph Church for nearly 60 years. After years away for work, she said the family “jumped at the chance to move back, rejoin the parish, and get our four children enrolled in this wonderful school.”
One of their children has special needs, and Manning said the benefits of Catholic education have been life-changing.
“Our children receive support at a private Catholic school that they would never get in a public setting. The small student-teacher ratio, the individual attention, and most importantly, knowing that each child is cherished in body, mind and soul is priceless,” she said.
As we celebrate Catholic Schools Week, these stories remind us that a Catholic education is a gift of faith, community and hope. The Education Scholarship Trust Fund program has opened doors for many families, making it possible to choose the school that will form their children for eternity.
Learn more
New ESTF applications open Jan. 15, 2026 for priority groups and Feb. 9, 2026 for general applications. A limited number of scholarships are available. Visit the state’s program website for details: https://sc-estf-program.com.
