CATHOLIC SCHOOLS WEEK IS JAN. 26-FEB. 1, 2025
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A new program from Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota offers Catholic educators and their dependents assistance with post-secondary education.
Sara Smidt-Michaelson, superintendent of Catholic schools for the Diocese of St. Cloud, learned of the college’s offering, “The Catholic Educator Promise,” in a letter this summer. The grant program covers any remaining tuition costs for Minnesota Catholic educators and their dependents after other scholarships and grants are applied.
“I was shocked, surprised and eternally grateful to see St. Mary’s provide this wonderful investment and benefit for our Catholic school teachers,” Smidt-Michaelson said. “Catholic schoolteachers don’t always have the same salary as their counterparts in the public schools, so this is a great benefit they can receive.”
Father James Burns, president of Saint Mary’s University of Minnesota and major superior of the Voluntas Dei Institute wrote, in the letter, “This initiative is a tangible expression of our gratitude for the tireless work and unwavering dedication of those who serve in our Catholic schools.”
The benefit begins in the 2025-2026 academic year.
Jason Smith, principal at St. Henry’s School in Perham, and his wife, Lisa, are especially grateful for the program. Their daughter, Morgan, had been contacted by the softball coach from Saint Mary’s, but they had not previously considered private education due to the cost.
Once the Smiths found out about the program, their family was able to revisit Saint Mary’s as an option and toured the campus.
“Morgan was going to have to pay for everything,” Jason said. “My wife and I are both in education, and Morgan wants to be a teacher, too. It is nice to know Saint Mary’s recognizes the sacrifices that Catholic school educators make.”
Morgan is now securing on-campus housing and registering for orientation sessions, as she looks forward to attending Saint Mary’s in the fall and playing softball for the university.
“It has been one of those God moments,” he said. “It gave [Morgan] a path and we feel like God was helping us out in this.”
Saint Mary’s University’s mission is to awaken, nurture and empower learners to ethical lives of service and leadership. Their primary campus is in Winona, Minnesota. More information about the Catholic Educator Promise, including the eligibility and application process, can be received through the admissions office at Saint Mary’s.