Tuition & Financial Aid

A McAuley education is a major investment in your daughter’s potential and will help create a lifetime of opportunities. Every student at Catherine McAuley High School receives some form of tuition assistance. While the full cost to educate a young woman at Catherine McAuley is $17,305, the Sisters of Mercy continue to underwrite the cost of education for all of our students. Tuition for the 2011-2012 academic year is $13,250, plus a Student Fee of $256. Tuition and fees only cover approximately 80% of the actual cost of a CMHS education. The difference is realized through fundraising efforts by our Office of Advancement, earnings of the CMHS School Endowment Fund, and additional donations from parents, alumnae, and friends of McAuley. Tuition is reviewed annually. Over the past five years, the annual increase has ranged from a low of 5% to a high of 14%. There is a reduction of $1,900 for the second and subsequent daughter's tuition. Additionally, there is a $300 discount for early application and admission. 

2011-2012 Tuition & Fees

Holding Fee

Once a student has been accepted, the applicant must pay a non-refundable $500 holding fee. This holding fee will be applied towards 2011-2012 tuition.

Schedule for Tuition Payment Plans 2011-2012

Facts Tuition Payment Plan

Payment Option Plans 3 and 4 will be made through the FACTS Tuition Management Company. The parent/guardian authorizes direct debit payments from your checking or savings account. There is not an annual set up or monthly convenience fee. You must enroll in those plans online through the e-Cashier link. 

Delinquent Account:

Any automatic payment missed due to insufficient funds will be reattempted on the next available payment date. Your account will be assessed a NSF fee by FACTS for each occurrence and you may incur a fee from your own bank

Catherine McAuley High School Financial Policies 2011-2012

1. Students will receive a schedule of classes only when:
   1. Fees and tuition from the previous year are paid in full.
   2. The non-refundable holding fee for 2011-2012 is paid in full.
   3. All tuition documents have been signed and returned to the School.
   4. An account is opened with FACTS Management Company (if applicable).
2. All tuition payments are due on time according to the tuition plan selected.
3. If parents/guardians fail to pay the full tuition by its applicable due date, the student may not be permitted to attend classes, take mid-term or final examinations, may not be granted credit for course work completed, and/or may be denied re-enrollment until all outstanding tuition bills are paid.
4. If more than one person is responsible for payment of tuition, Catherine McAuley High School reserves the right to inform the other responsible party if the account becomes more than 30 days delinquent.
5. Catherine McAuley High School has the right to take legal action to collect school tuition and fees. Parents/Guardians will be responsible for all costs of collection, including court expenses and reasonable attorney’s fees.
6. Tuition payments for plans 3, 4, and financial aid applications are to be made through FACTS Management Company.  Links to financial aid applications are available on the McAuley website.  Online payment links will be available April 1, 2011.

Length of Contract and Cancellation

Once a student enrolls at Catherine McAuley High School, it is understood that she will remain enrolled at Catherine McAuley High School for the entire academic year. Catherine McAuley High School commits to the faculty and staff and contracts for services on a yearly basis according to the number of students enrolled at the beginning of the academic year. Consequently, it is expressly understood by the parents/guardians that the obligation to pay tuition is as follows:

• Withdrawal before July 15, 2011 = forfeit of tuition monies paid to date up to $1500
• Withdrawal between July 15 – August 15, 2011 = forfeit of tuition monies paid to date up to $3000
• Withdrawal between August 15 – November 1, 2011 = 50% of full tuition is owed and payable
• Withdrawal after November 1, 2011 = 100% of full tuition is owed and payable

In the event McAuley High School determines that continued enrollment at McAuley High School is not in the best interest of the student or the School, the School reserves the right to advise the parent/guardian, terminate the enrollment and this contract, and will not refund tuition.

Additional Fees and Charges

The Student Fee includes the student handbook, fall testing and the student activity fee. It does not include additional fees incurred for AP testing exams, classes or other special events.  Certain classes require fees for supplies, online books or labs. These fees will be billed separately each semester.
A return check charge of $25 is added when the bank returns a check for insufficient funds.

Tuition Assistance

Since its founding, CMHS has been committed to providing assistance to qualified students who have demonstrated financial need. The financial aid application is due on January 31 of each year.  Tuition assistance is granted on the basis of need of the student and her family and the number of applications received each year. Along with this aid, there is a requirement to perform work study assignments. These assignments are on campus and made around the student’s school schedule.  * Please note that financial aid applications for the 2012-2013 academic year will be accepted beginning in November 2011.

Applying for Financial Aid

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment will be conducting the financial need analysis for Catherine McAuley High School for the upcoming 2012-2013 school year.

Families applying for financial aid will need to complete an online application and submit the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment.

The following information is required in order for FACTS to process your application:

1. Completed online application.
2. Copies of your 2010 or 2011 IRS Federal Form 1040, 1040A or 1040-EZ U.S. Individual Income Tax Return.  If applicant and co-applicant file separately, both tax returns for the same tax year are required.  State tax returns are not accepted.
3. Copies of all 2011 W-2 Wage and Tax Statements for both you and your spouse.  NOTE:  If you are applying before you have received all 2011 W-2 Wage and Tax Statements, please submit them as soon as they become available.
4. Copies of supporting tax schedules if you have income from:
   Business - Attach Schedule C or C-EZ (Form 1040) and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
   Farm - Attach Schedule F (Form 1040) and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization
   Rental Property - Attach Schedule E (Form 1040)
   S-Corporation - Attach Schedule E (Form 1040), Form1120S (4 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
   Partnership - Attach Schedule E (Form 1040), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825
   Estates and Trusts - Attach Schedule E (Form 1040), Form 1041, Schedule K-1
   
5. Copies of supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TANF.

As you input your application information, please be sure to select Catherine McAuley High School in Portland, ME, as there is a school of the same name in Brooklyn, NY. This is done when you input the School’s zip code of 04103. CMHS should be listed among a directory of other schools within this zip code.

Click on the icon below to enter FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website.

If you have difficulty with this, a parent helpline can be accessed at 1-866-315-9262. It is staffed Monday – Thursday from 10am to 7pm and Friday from 10am to 5pm CST.
PLEASE REMEMBER THAT YOUR TUITION IN ARREARS MUST BE PAID, OTHERWISE YOUR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION WILL BE DENIED.

Scholarships

In addition to the financial aid that is awarded, CMHS has seven scholarships that are available to deserving young women. Catherine McAuley High School scholarships are granted to students who excel in academics, exhibit leadership, demonstrate high interest in co-curricular activities, and participate generously in church or community services. Students interested in applying for a scholarship must submit their completed scholarship packet by June 1. Scholarship winners will be notified the first week in July.

• Download the CMHS Scholarship Application.pdf