Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund

Support St. Bernadette through the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund

Donations to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund turn your tax dollars into scholarships for students attending diocesan Catholic schools, including St. Bernadette.

As an Ohio taxpayer, when you donate to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, you receive a dollar-for-dollar credit on your Ohio income tax liability—up to $750 per individual or $1,500 for married couples filing jointly. This is a credit, not just a deduction, effectively giving you the power to decide how your Ohio tax dollars are used.

Established by the Ohio Legislature in 2021, this tax credit supports the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, a certified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) of the Diocese of Columbus. Funds donated to the SGO provide scholarships to help students attend diocesan Catholic schools, making a Catholic education accessible and affordable. Additionally, you can choose to restrict your gift specifically for the benefit of St. Bernadette, directly impacting our students.

The Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund creates essential scholarship opportunities for Catholic schools within the Diocese of Columbus, while empowering you to direct your tax dollars to support our mission of leading children to an encounter with Jesus Christ. It’s a win-win for everyone involved—and if you pay Ohio state taxes, you can take advantage of this great incentive.

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EMMAUS ROAD SCHOLARSHIP FUND - FAQS

• What is the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund?
  The Diocesan Education Corporation (DEC), operating as the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund, is the first certified Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO) in Ohio, approved by the Ohio Attorney General. This fund provides scholarships to students in the Diocese of Columbus Catholic schools.
• What is an SGO?
  A Scholarship Granting Organization (SGO), as defined by Ohio law, must be a certified 501(c)(3) charitable organization that awards scholarships primarily to primary and secondary school students, with a priority for low-income students. It must comply with registration and reporting requirements to maintain certification.
• How is this different from the Diocesan tuition assistance fund?
  While both funds support tuition assistance, eligibility and award amounts vary. The Emmaus Road Fund prioritizes students from low-income families and benefits all students within our 50 schools.

DONORS

• Who can donate to the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund?
  Anyone can donate. Ohio taxpayers receive a dollar-for-dollar tax credit, up to $750 per person or $1,500 for joint filers.
• How can I donate?
  Make an electronic donation via our online form or send a check to:
  Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund
  Office of Catholic Schools, 197 East Gay St., Columbus, OH 43215
  Monthly donations are also possible online.
• Can I donate to a specific school?
  Yes. You may choose to direct your donation to a specific school. Simply indicate this on your check or in the online school designation box.
• Do I receive a receipt?
  Yes. The Office of Catholic Schools will mail receipts for tax credit purposes.

TAX CREDIT

• How does the tax credit work?
  Your donation provides a dollar-for-dollar tax credit on your Ohio income tax, entered on the Ohio Tax Return Schedule of Credits, line 15. Donations made by April 15, 2024, may be claimed for the 2023 tax year.
• Can I stack this tax credit with others?
  Yes, provided you have sufficient Ohio tax liability. For further questions, consult your tax advisor.

SCHOLARSHIP RECIPIENTS

• Who can apply for a scholarship?
  Any student attending a diocesan Catholic school can apply, with priority given to low-income students.
• How do I apply?
  Families apply through FACTS, a third-party service used by the Diocese to assess financial information and determine award amounts. Applications open November 1 and close March 15 each year.
• When are scholarships awarded?
  Scholarship awards are calculated in April, with funds credited to students’ tuition accounts at the start of the school year, once enrollment is confirmed.  For additional details, contact our office or visit the Emmaus Road Scholarship Fund website.