Tuition FAQ

The cost to educate one student is determined each year as the budget is set. The parish tuition and non-parish tuition amounts are then established based on this budget. Parish subsidies provide tuition support for students belonging to any of our eleven supporting parishes. This support helps to defray portions of the per pupil costs, thus reducing tuition levels.

Xavier High School, the Xavier Foundation and the Archdiocese of Dubuque are committed to making sure Catholic education is available to students who desire it. Xavier cannot and will not become a school available to only those who can afford the full tuition. The Our Fa

Both the Our Faith, Our Children, Our Future STO and Xavier High School will be utilizing FACTS Management to assist in determining the level of assistance to be awarded. FACTS has developed an application that all families need to complete to be considered for assistance. Your personal information will be held in strictest confidence at all times. If you have a child at more than one Archdiocesan School or if you wish to apply for both types of assistance, you will only need to complete one application form. There is a $31 non-refundable processing fee for the application, payable to FACTS
*amount based on last year’s charge

The application is available here. In addition to your completed application, you must include a copy of your 2019 federal income tax return along with a copy of your 2019 W-2(s). The application needs to be completed online and submitted no later than April 15, 2020.

To assist you in filling out the application FACTS will have a call center available at 1-866-441-4637. You are also welcome to call Tom Drish at 319-739-7307 Monday-Friday from 7:30 a.m.-4 p.m. at Xavier for assistance.

• Marital status of the parents
• Size of the family and dependency status
• Number of children in tuition-charging schools
• Age of the parents
• Total taxable and non-taxable income for parents
• Housing information
• Assets and investments

You will also be given an opportunity to explain any unusual circumstances that may affect your financial situation.

Tuition assistance awards range from $50 to near full tuition.

A tuition credit equal to 25% of the first $1,000 paid for tuition and textbooks for each student is offered by the state of Iowa. This credit directly reduces your Iowa tax liability by up to $250.

Parents of children attending Xavier may be reimbursed for at least part of their transportation costs. If a student does not receive bussing and lives 3 miles or more from Xavier they may be entitled to reimbursement from the school district. Claims must be filed by December 1st and May 1st. Xavier sends Cedar Rapids Community School District claim forms home in November and April.

Money for tuition assistance currently comes from the operations of the High School and the Xavier Foundation. The Xavier Foundation has established an endowed scholarship fund to provide long-term strength and growth to the scholarship program. The investment earnings from this fund will be used to fund scholarships in the future.

The Our Faith, Our Children, Our Future STO is funded by numerous generous donors from across the Archdiocese of Dubuque. All donors received an Iowa Tax Credit equal to 65% of their gift, with all donations qualifying for a federal income tax deduction for their 2019 returns. Donors interested in contributing to this program during 2020 can make a secure online donation or download a donor application at OurFaithSTO.org.

The first payment on your account is due by August 10th. A 1-percent discount will be given if the entire balance of your tuition is paid in full and received by 3 pm on July 31st. If you cannot pay the entire balance by August 10th , you may make two payments on August 10th and January 10th , four payments on August 10th, November 10th, January 10th and March 10th, or ten payments using electronic funds transfer on the 10th of the month from August to May. Monthly payments may only be made through electronic funds transfer on the 10th of the month.

Each parish has its own guidelines to determine a parishioner. Generally, three things are required:

• Be registered in the parish
• Participate in the life of the parish
• Contribute financially to the parish

There is no up-front discount given by Xavier for families with more than one student. The tuition assistance process takes into consideration families who have more than one student at Xavier. Therefore, families with more than one student at Xavier who need assistance should apply.

Xavier High School will not sponsor any work-related programs for the payment of tuition. Even with the current economic environment in Linn County, Xavier would be unable to compete with wages paid by local employers. Xavier also does not have the resources to administer a work program. A successful work program requires staff members who can supervise the students and/or parents who want to work to reduce their tuition.

No. By state statutes, Iowa high schools cannot offer these types of programs.

Tuition does not qualify as a charitable donation because your student receives a service in return for the tuition. Contributions given to either Xavier High School or the Xavier Foundation other than tuition are eligible for deduction as a charitable donation.

Any money given to either Xavier High School or the Xavier Foundation that is not for tuition will be eligible for matching by participating companies.

Absolutely. A volunteer form will be included in the registration materials. This form is due with all other registration materials at student registration.

If at any time your family experiences financial difficulties, please contact the Controller, Tom Drish, in the Xavier Business Office at 319-739-7307. All conversations will be kept strictly confidential. We will do whatever we can to assist you.