Catholic Education Foundation

Cycle 3 Renew Applications: Preschool - 7th Grade Award Applications will be sent to the application with their names on it, and parents must make an appointment or submit to the school.

Cycle 3: New student applications are available for students who were not awarded but want to apply for this award for the 2026 - 2027 school year at St. Bernard School.

Award Amount: $1000 per student

Verify that you and your household meet CEF’s income guidelines for financial eligibility. (refer to FINANCIAL ELIGIBILITY link).

Option #1 on Campus

CEF will host on-campus application appointments for the Archdiocese's High Schools to process applications for students seeking admission for the 2026-2027 School Year. St. Bernard School's on-campus application appointments will be at St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy on April 20, 21. 22, 23, 24 & 30, 2026.

Option #2: Submit to SBS, and we will mail it out for the parents

1. Complete all three pages of the APPLICATION FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (TAP) form.

2. Submit your completed application form and all proper proof of income documents to St. Bernard School by April 1, 2026. (CEF will not process applications mailed directly by parents.)

Steps

1. The school provides Parent/Guardian with an APPLICATION (Cycle 3 Tap Application Link) and appointment information.
2. The parent completes the application and collects proof of income
3. The parent attends an on-campus appointment with CEF.
4. The parent provides proof of income by Bringing the 2024 Federal Income Tax Forms (1040) that have the student's name on the taxes and is claimed as a dependent.

Setup CEF appointments using Online System

1. Log on to www.cefdn.org
2. At the CEF Home page, on the top menu bar hover over the CONTACT US link and a dropdown menu will appear, SELECT "TAP Appointments"
3. SELECT “CLICK HERE” on the "TAP Appointments" webpage (Make sure to turn off any “Pop-up Blockers”)
4. SELECT “Next” on the Welcome Screen
5. Choose a Location to meet with CEF Representatives (choose St. Pius X St. Matthias Academy ) and SELECT “Next"
6. Choose a Time to meet with CEF Representatives and SELECT “Next”
7. Enter your information to reserve your appointment (Make sure to enter your Cell and Email in order to get text and email reminders) and SELECT “Save”
8. You will receive an email confirmation that will contain the date, time, and location of the appointment.

1. Parent meets with CEF Representative On-Campus
2. The application is reviewed and enters data
3. Show Proof of Income (Original only no copies of taxes).
4. Will answer questions
5. Award Letter will be given for Renewals.

Steps

1. The school provides Parent/Guardian with an APPLICATION (Tap Application Link)
2. The parent completes the application and collects proof of income
3. The parent provides proof of income by bringing the 2024/2025 Federal Income Tax Forms (1040) that have the student's name on the taxes and is claimed as a dependent.
4. OLR mails all forms to CEF.

NEI: Shea Tuition Award (STA) Renewal Applications: Preschool - 7th Grade Award Applications will be sent the application with their names on it and parent must make an appointment or submit to school.

NEI: Shea Tuition Award (STA) New Student Application: The school has applications for new school families to apply for the 2026-27 school year, but the applications for will be submitted to the foundation once the school gets approved.