What is the Fulcrum Tuition Assistance Grant Program (TAP)?
TAP is a deadline-based and need-based tuition assistance program for students in Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Any family, currently enrolled in a Catholic school or not, may apply. Flat grant amounts are awarded to students based solely on financial need in relation to the pool of applicants. Grants are awarded for one year at a time. Families must re-apply annually, even if they have received a TAP grant before.
Why is tuition assistance necessary?
Catholic education changes lives. However, the cost of tuition excludes some families from making Catholic education a reality for their students. Fulcrum’s TAP program increases access to Catholic schools by helping families offset the cost of tuition.
How much tuition assistance does Fulcrum provide annually?
In Fiscal Year 2022-2023, Fulcrum provided over $3 million in tuition assistance to families across the Archdiocese of Seattle.
How is TAP funded?
The tuition assistance program is funded through the generosity of donors and investment income from endowments. Fulcrum hosts fundraising events throughout the year in support of critical programs like TAP.
Application Information
Who can apply for a TAP grant?
Anyone currently enrolled in a Catholic school or intending to enroll in a Catholic school may apply. We partner with most schools in the Archdiocese of Seattle. Ask your school if they partner with Fulcrum on this program before applying.
How Much Are the Grants?
For the 2024-2025 school year, grants are $1,350 for students in grades K-8 and $1,500 for students in grades 9-12.
When can I apply?
Applications are accepted from October 1 to the end of December for the following school year. For the 2024-2025 school year, applications must be submitted by no later than December 31, 2023.
How do I apply?
Fulcrum partners with FACTS Grant and Aid to manage the collection and processing of applications. Applications are submitted online and necessary documentation (such as a federal tax return and W-2 form) is uploaded via the FACTS Grant and Aid website.
What is FACTS Grant and Aid?
FACTS Grant and Aid is an independent, third-party company that conducts financial analysis to determine financial need.
What documentation will I need to submit?
Federal income tax returns and, in some cases, W-2 forms and supporting documentation for non-taxable income may be required.
What if I don’t file taxes or have a Social Security Number?
You can still apply even if you don’t file taxes or have a Social Security Number. Neither FACTS or Fulcrum shares applicant information with anyone outside our organizations. Please contact a FACTS Customer Care Representative at 1.866.441.4637 with any questions related to tax forms and Social Security Numbers.
Does FACTS require a credit check?
No. FACTS does not require a credit check and applying will not affect your credit rating.
Is there a fee to apply?
Yes. Every family pays a $35 fee to apply. Families with multiple students only pay the fee once. The application fee will not be reimbursed. Fulcrum does not offer waivers for the application fee.
Please note that the welcome screen in the application will list the fee at $40.00. Fulcrum has negotiated a discounted rate of $35.00. When you reach the end of the application, you will only be asked to pay $35.00.
How are grants determined?
The only determining factor for this grant is the applicant’s calculated financial need in relation to all other applicants. Each family’s financial need is calculated using the information provided in the application. Applicants are then ranked by their calculated financial need from highest to lowest and grants are awarded in that order until funds are exhausted. The rankings are done separately for students in grades K-8 and students in grades 9-12. Prior to ranking, applications are verified by FACTS and reviewed by Fulcrum. Adjustments are made for change in income.
How do I find out if I’ve been awarded Fulcrum tuition assistance?
Once a decision is made, you will be notified via e-mail and your FACTS account.
How can I check the status of my application?
You may log in to your FACTS user account to review the status of your application. Please allow two weeks processing time from the date you provided the supporting documents before inquiring about the receipt and/or status of the uploaded documents.
When will my grant funds be disbursed?
Fulcrum will verify your student’s enrollment in the fall and then disburse the grant funds directly to your school. Disbursements usually happen in November or December. Contact your school directly with questions regarding how Fulcrum grants are applied to your tuition bill.
Can you tell me if I will get a grant before applying?
No. Whether you get a grant or not depends on how your calculated financial need compares to all other applicants. We have no way of knowing who else will apply along with you so we cannot tell whether you will receive a grant or not. We encourage you to apply if you feel that your family has financial need.
Is Fulcrum tuition assistance the same as school tuition assistance?
No. Fulcrum is completely separate from school-funded tuition assistance. Many schools use FACTS Grant and Aid for their local school-funded tuition assistance, though some do not. Please ask your school how to apply for school-funded tuition assistance.
My financial situation has changed from last year and my taxes don’t reflect my current financial situation. What do I do?
There is a question in the application that asks if you expect a decrease in income. You should answer “yes” to this question and provide details so we can understand the situation. All applications that indicate a change in income are reviewed by Fulcrum and income is adjusted accordingly. We will use the adjusted income amount to determine financial need.
What if I need more assistance than a Fulcrum grant provides?
Fulcrum is just one part of the tuition assistance picture. Schools also provide their own financial aid. Please contact your school directly to find out how to apply for school-funded financial assistance. Most families that receive Fulcrum tuition assistance grants also receive assistance from the school.
What if I don’t have a computer?
Ask your school if they have a computer you can use to complete the application. Many schools allow families to use school computers for this. Using a tablet, laptop, or desktop computer is recommended. It is very difficult to complete the application on a smartphone.
Is the application available in Spanish?
Yes. The FACTS Grant and Aid application can be easily converted to Spanish. Click on the top right of the computer screen when viewing the FACTS Grant and Aid website to translate the page into Spanish.
Is the application process secure?
Yes. All documentation received by FACTS is imaged upon receipt and then destroyed. FACTS has detailed security standards that are regularly assessed, reviewed, and tested for education and efficacy. Please see the FACTS webpage on security for more details.
Who can I contact with questions?
Questions about Fulcrum’s programs should be directed to:
Susan Ocoma, Fulcrum Programs Director
susan.ocoma@fulcrumfoundation.org
206.748.7988
Savannah Hawk, Fulcrum Director of Business Operations fulcrumadmin@fulcrumfoundation.org
206.219.5826
Questions about the FACTS application should be directed to
FACTS Customer Care
1.866.441.4637