FAQs for Parents

You may also be interested in General FAQs and FAQs for Donors.

• What is STO tuition assistance?
  STO stands for “School Tuition Organization.” The STO serving the Catholic schools within the Archdiocese of Dubuque and St. Paul's School in Waverly is Our Faith School Tuition Organization. The tuition assistance grants from this program are funded through an Iowa tax credit program. This program has been in existence since 2006.

• Who can qualify for STO tuition assistance?
  STO grants are available for K-12 students who reside in Iowa, whose household’s taxable income is below 400% of the federal poverty rate and who have demonstrated need through the FACTS application process.  Being income-qualified is no guarantee of receiving an award.  Each year the Our Faith STO determines awarding parameters based on the amount of available funds and the amount of identified need.  STO grants are not available for preschool students. 

• Are STO awards available for preschool or early childhood programs? 
  STO grants are only available for full-time K-12th grade students.  STO grants are not available for preschool or early childhood programs. 

• What are the possible income-qualifying levels for 2023-2024? 

  2023 POVERTY GUIDELINES FOR STO USE
  Persons in Household	400% of Poverty Rate
  2	$78,880
  3	$99,440
  4	$120,000
  5	$140,560
  6	$161,120
  7	$181,680
  8	$202,240

  IMPORTANT NOTES ABOUT INCOME GUIDELINES:

1. STO qualifying levels listed are based upon 400% of 2023 Federal Poverty Levels.  Final income-qualifying levels will be determined by the Our Faith STO Board, based on identified need and available funds. 
2. Families are eligible for STO assistance if they are Iowa residents AND their taxable income is at or below the above listed income levels. Falling within these guidelines does not necessarily guarantee tuition assistance awards.
3. Family size includes parents/guardians plus total number of dependents claimed on the tax return. 
4. For families/households with more than eight people, add $20,560 for each additional person. 
5. Any available local tuition assistance beyond STO awards may not be based upon the above income levels, but will likely require completion of a FACTS application.

• How much money is given in STO grants?
  During the 2022-23 school year, a total of $5,089,231 was distributed to 3,129 students. Of the nearly 37% of students in our schools receiving a grant, the average award was $1,626. Last year, qualifying families received between $300 to 90% of their tuition, depending upon verified need. No one receives a 100% award. Non-Catholic students can receive assistance but only up to the “Catholic tuition rate” for that school. Awards vary from year to year depending upon the overall verified need of the applicant pool. The “identified need” a particular family has through the FACTS calculations can vary yearly based on several factors.  Families with similar identified needs from year to year may receive significantly different awards depending on the number of applicants, the total identified need, the total tuition bill, and the available funds for that year. 

• How do I apply for STO tuition assistance?
  Only one application needs to be completed per household. Parents can start an application utilizing the name or zip code of one school. Additional children and the names of their schools can be added to that single application.  The deadline to file a FACTS application AND submit all required federal 2022 tax documentation is April 15, 2023. 

• What is the link to the application?
  The online application is located at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid. You will be asked to enter the zip code(s) of the school(s) for which you are applying for assistance.

• When is the application open?
  The online application period opens on January 1st for the upcoming school year. The online application is available in English and Spanish.

• If I applied last year, do I use the same e-mail and password this year?
  Yes! By using the email and password from last year, some demographic information will automatically be visible and will just need your verification. If you remember the email address you used but not your password, click the “Forgot Password” button, and a temporary password will be emailed to that address.

• How much does it cost to apply for STO assistance?
  The online application costs $36.00 per family (not per student).  Families will make their payments directly to FACTS Management before submitting their application. The application fee for those attending a Catholic school in Ames, Cascade, Cresco, Holy Cross, Jesup, Decorah, Independence, New Hampton, Waukon, Ossian/Spillville, Protivin is being paid for by those schools.  

• What if the application fee is cost-prohibitive for my family?
  If the application fee is cost-prohibitive, you are encouraged to contact the school directly to request any available assistance. Schools cannot access an application to waive the fee until at least the first section of the online application has been completed. Thus, parents should first start an application through the first section and then contact the school.

• Do I need to fill out an application for each of my children?
  No, only one application per household is required. Be sure to include all children on this application. Even if you have children attending different Catholic schools, you only need to complete one application.

• The application asks for social security numbers. What if I don’t have one or don’t feel comfortable using it on the application?
  The social security number is how FACTS matches the tax return to the family’s application.  Families that do not have a social security number, or would prefer not to give this information, can enter any unique 9-digit number, and the system will let them continue with the application process.  If a family has a 9-digit ITIN (Individual Taxpayer Identification Number), they may want to consider using that number.  When sending in their tax documents, FACTS recommends, if possible, that parents write their application ID number on the tax document to match it up with the correct application.  The application ID number is assigned online as soon as the application has been started.

• What tax materials do I need to complete the application?
  The Iowa legislature requires that families verify their federal taxable income from the previous calendar year, so you will need to upload your 2022 federal tax return and all requested 2022 tax documentation, including all tax schedules. Families are urged to review all tax documentation requirements stated on the application carefully and to submit those materials as early as possible. Families with business income/loss from any of the following will need to include:

  • Business - Send Schedule C or C-EZ and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization.
  • Farm - Send Schedule F and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization.
  • Rental Property - Send Schedule E (page 1).
  • S-Corporation - Send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1120S (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825.
  • Partnership - Send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825.
  • Estates and Trusts - Send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1041 and Schedule K-1.

• How do I submit the supporting tax documents?
  After completing the online application, you must upload all required supporting documentation. Documents can be uploaded online by logging into your account.  The submissions must be in pdf or jpeg form. (Vertical photos uploaded from a mobile phone are acceptable if they are under 20 MB each.)  Stop by the school office for assistance if you need help scanning your documents. Families are encouraged to submit tax documentation as early as possible. Please allow FACTS two weeks to process tax documents. FACTS does not accept faxed documents.

• What if parents were not required to file taxes?
  Families not required to file federal taxes will note that on the application. Copies of all supporting documentation for household non-taxable income such as Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Workers’ Compensation, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) will be required. If you do not file a tax return, you must provide documentation of all income received.

• Do both parents have to complete a separate application if I am divorced?
  Divorced parents can only receive STO tuition assistance for their portion of the tuition bill. If parents are divorced, the parent responsible for tuition payment should complete an application. Suppose each of the divorced parents is responsible for a portion of the tuition. In that case, each parent should complete a separate application and indicate the portion of tuition for which he/she is responsible. If one divorced parent chooses to apply for their portion, but the other does not, the first parent can still receive an award if they are STO income-qualified. Divorced families need to provide schools with a copy of their divorce decree and information about which parent is required to pay what percentage of tuition.

• The FACTS application asks about 529 plans. Will my chances of being awarded assistance be smaller if we have 529 plans?
  No, you will not be “penalized” for having 529 plans. This question is asked on this national application but the “Our Faith STO” has asked FACTS not to consider 529 plans as available income. The Archdiocese of Dubuque encourages families to utilize Iowa 529 K- 12 tuition plans. More information about 529 plans can be found at https://www.collegesavingsiowa.com/ .

• What is the deadline for an application?
  The round 1 deadline for STO applications is April 15, 2023, and the round 2 deadline is July 1, 2023. Families meeting the round 1 deadline will be notified of their award by May 20th.   It is very important that families apply AND submits their entire 2022 tax return and all requested income documents by this deadline. It is very wise and prudent to apply early, so you can allow time for your tax documentation to be processed and to allow time to be notified in case you are missing any materials.
  
  Applications that are not completed by the April 15th deadline should still be finished when possible, as most local tuition assistance programs require a FACTS application to verify financial need.  Please contact your local school for more information if you cannot meet the April 15th deadline.    

• What if I have questions about how to complete the application?
  FACTS Management is available to assist families with questions about completing their applications. The FACTS 
  Helpline can be reached at 866-315-9262 on Monday - Thursday 7:30 am to 7 pm and Friday 7:30 am to 5:00 pm. You can also contact your school for additional assistance in completing the form or uploading documents. 

• What if I don’t have internet access to complete an online application?
  Parents can contact their local school to use the school’s internet access or to schedule an individual appointment for assistance in completing the online application.  

• Do I have to have an email address to complete the online application?
  No, online applicants are not required to have an email address. However, any notification about missing/incomplete materials would then be communicated to you by FACTS via US mail which is considerably slower. If parents have an email address, they are strongly encouraged to list it and monitor it for communications from FACTS.

• When will I find out if I get an STO award?
  Families that completed an application and included all required documentation by the April 15th deadline will receive notification of any STO award by May 20th. 

• Is the STO the only assistance available?
  Most schools have some local assistance programs to supplement STO awards. Generally, families must complete an application with FACTS as a prerequisite for local assistance. Local assistance programs, however, can create their own income guidelines or consideration of special circumstances.

• What if the STO award my family receives is not enough?
  STO awards cannot be appealed as the income guidelines are set by state law, and the proportion of funds available for each family is based on the overall identified need of qualifying applicants. If you need additional funds to supplement your STO award, you are strongly encouraged to contact your local school/parish about local assistance programs and any other opportunities for assistance.

• When calculating household income, whose income do we include?

• What is a summary of the deadlines?
  January 1-FACTS online application opens at https://online.factsmgt.com/aid.
  April 15-Deadline for FACTS applications to be completed online AND all required 2021 federal tax returns and all requested income documentation must be uploaded by this date.
  May 20th-Schools distribute STO award/tuition contract letters.
  June 15th-Deadline for parents to accept/deny STO awards and return tuition contracts.