Donation to provide scholarships at Harrison's St. Joseph High School, 3 other Catholic schools

An anonymous donor has offered an undisclosed amount of scholarship funding for students at four Catholic schools in the Diocese of Pittsburgh, including Harrison’s St. Joseph High School.

In addition to St. Joseph, the St. John Paul II STAR Student tuition assistance scholarships are available for students at Butler Catholic School in Butler, Holy Sepulcher School in Butler County’s Middlesex Township and St. Wendelin School in Butler County’s Summit Township.

The scholarship amount will differ for each family, said Shane Palumbo, public relations director at St. Joseph High School.

To receive the scholarship, families submit a financial aid application. The amount a family may receive is based on their need. Applicants do not need to qualify as low-income, but must show financial need while still contributing toward tuition, the diocese said.

To be eligible, Palumbo said “a family (must) be devoted to a student’s academic progress, the student (must) belong to at least one activity at school, a family (must) belong to a faith community, and the family (must) commit to a donation of time, treasure or talent to the church or school community.”

Students do not need to be Catholic to receive the scholarships, but they do need to “demonstrate commitment to some faith tradition,” the diocese said.

Bishop David Zubik of the Catholic Diocese of Pittsburgh described the donor as a “Catholic business leader who wants today’s students to receive the same stellar education and formation in the faith that he benefited from in Catholic school.”

“His spirituality was profoundly influenced by Pope John Paul II, and he wants the STAR Student scholarships to honor him,” Zubik said.

The scholarship, Zubik said, will aim to help students and increase enrollment in the schools, where the donor has close ties.

There is no set number of students who will receive funding from the scholarship program, Palumbo said. Since the scholarship was announced last week, Palumbo said, “my phone is ringing off the hook” with families interested in applying.

“The St. John Paul II Star Student will make a life-changing difference for students, their families and these faith communities,” said Michelle Peduto, director of Catholic schools for the diocese. “This gift helps the students right now and will strengthen these schools for generations to come.”

Families whose students attend one of the four schools eligible for scholarship money should reach out to their school if they’re interested in applying.

“So many families are either interested in pursuing a Catholic education from Catholic elementary or have always been curious to explore a Catholic school opportunity at any level, but have not had the financial means to make that happen,” Palumbo said. “Through the generosity of the anonymous donor, some of these dreams may be able to come true for families.”