How do I apply for a FACE grant?
Applications are accepted through each student's school in early January of each year. Links to an online application will be made available in the "Applying for a Grant?" section at the top of this page. Families with students in elementary and high schools should apply through both schools.
Do I apply to FACE directly?
No, do not apply through the FACE office. Apply through the student's school financial aid office or through the links provided through this website. Links to an online application will be available in January in the "Applying for a Grant?" section at the top of this page.
Do I need to be Catholic?
No. FACE grants are awarded based on financial need. Your child does have to be enrolled in or applying to a Catholic school within the Diocese of Oakland.
What do I need to provide for my application to be complete?
You must complete an application that includes required income verification and/or other financial documentation by April 30, 2021. It is important that you select Family Aid-Catholic Education by "checking the FACE box" when completing your grant and aid application on the FACTS website. Failure to do so will result in your application not being processed by the FACE office.
Given the volume of applications, early submission is encouraged and ensures timely completion of the review process. Some applications received by April 30, 2021, require additional documentation as requested by FACTS. Additional or missing information must be confirmed as received by FACTS or the application will be denied. Application deadlines are firm.
Who determines eligibility?
Completed applications are sent to FACTS for need analysis. Students are then ranked by financial need according to the published Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Low-Income Guidelines for Alameda and Contra Costa Counties. Students are then prioritized according to FACE granting guidelines and available resources. Review the FACE HUD Income Guidelines here.
When do I receive a grant?
FACE makes payments in the Fall and Spring semesters directly through the schools. Adjustments to individual student account tuition balances are then made accordingly. No checks are sent to families or students directly.
How much is a FACE grant?
For the 2021-2022 academic year, a grant for an elementary school student covers $2,250 of tuition costs, and a high school education grant covers $3,500 of tuition costs. For those receiving aid from other sources like the BASIC Fund, aid packages will be adjusted accordingly.
I don’t know if a FACE grant will cover the assistance I need. Are there other forms of support?
Check with individual schools for parish-based or school-based tuition assistance resources.
Should I send the information to FACTS directly to ensure it arrives on time?
It is better to work with the schools to confirm your application is sent by the determined deadline. Keep a record of your documentation and when you send your information in, particularly if additional information is requested by FACTS as a follow-up to your initial application.
Will exceptions be made for circumstances beyond your control that prevented the meeting of deadlines?
Out of fairness to all applicants who successfully submit on-time requests for grants, exceptions for deadlines are made only for families where verified technical or administrative errors resulted in improperly processing their application by the school, FACTS service, or FACE. No exceptions to grant priority guidelines will be made.
How will I be notified following my application?
FACE award notifications will be sent electronically to each family who applied to report the awards/declines with amounts for each student in May.
Can I receive funding from other sources in combination with a FACE grant?
For elementary school grants, it is intended that a student only receives a grant from either FACE or the Basic Fund, not both. The local elementary school may augment the FACE award if they have the resources to do so.
In the case of high school grantees, additional funds may be awarded. The amount of additional funding is determined by the high school. Families are encouraged to consult directly with the high school financial aid administrator to confirm the total award amount.
The FACE Application period for the 2021-2022 School Year is open between January 1, 2021, through April 30, 2021.