VenturEd Solutions was delighted to be a sponsor and be a part of the 12th Annual Night of Light gala hosted by the Aim Higher Foundation this month. The event had over 700 attendees, including a cross-functional group from VenturEd Solutions to support Aim Higher Foundation’s mission.
This year’s event raised over 1.1 million dollars to help fund quality Catholic school education for students in grades K-8. Our team was truly humbled by the generosity and the stories shared throughout the evening! We are so thankful to be able to do a small part in helping support such an amazing organization who uplift and change the lives of students and families every day!
Proceeds of this extraordinary gala will support the Aim Higher Foundation’s tuition-assistance scholarships which help make the benefits of a Catholic education accessible to all children across the Twin Cities.
Through the Night of Light event, the foundation successfully generates additional funds that are essential to the Aim Higher Foundation’s ability to award scholarships to students. And it is the only event in the Twin Cities that provides direct support to children and families at every Catholic school serving grades K-8.
Since 2012, the Aim Higher Foundation has awarded over 16,000 scholarships—worth more than $15 million—to children to attend 81 different Catholic schools serving students K-8. Aim Higher Scholarships help make Catholic schools accessible to all children, regardless of the size of their parent’s paycheck.
The Aim Higher Scholarship is a $1,000, student-based scholarship awarded to K-8 students from families with demonstrated financial need. Once a student is awarded the scholarship, they will continue to receive an additional $1,000 scholarship each year up to and through 8th grade as long as the yearly financial aid application continues to show need. The scholarship will also follow the student from year to year if he or she transfers to another Catholic school in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis.
While enrollment in public schools has declined, Catholic schools have seen a stabilization or slight increase in recent years. Financial aid scholarships play a pivotal role in making private school education accessible to families. By providing financial assistance, these scholarships alleviate the burden of tuition costs and allow families to consider private schools as a viable option for their children’s education. This is particularly beneficial for families who may not have the financial resources to afford the full cost of tuition without assistance.
These scholarships can have a profound impact on families in several ways. First, they can help families achieve their educational goals for their children. By providing the financial means to attend a private school, families can give their children access to smaller class sizes, specialized programs, and a more personalized learning environment. Second, scholarships can help families avoid the stress and financial strain associated with educational debt. By reducing the need to borrow money for tuition, families can avoid the burden of student loan payments and interest. Finally, scholarships can help families invest in their children’s future. By providing access to a quality education, scholarships can help children develop the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in college and beyond.
The Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis support over ninety preschool-12th grade Catholic schools in the greater Saint Paul-Minneapolis metropolitan area. According to the 2023-2024 Annual Report on Catholic Education in the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, for the 2023-2024 academic year, archdiocesan schools saw another K-12 systemwide enrollment increase. According to the report, 42% of the 79 elementary and 16 high schools are serving more students than the year before while achieving a 90% average retention rate.
To be eligible for the Aim Higher Scholarship, a student must be in enrolled in grades K-8 or have plans to apply to a K-8 grade, in a K-6, K-8, or K-12 Catholic school in the St. Paul and Minneapolis Archdiocese. Returning scholars, in grades 6, 7, or 8 are also eligible if they are enrolled in, transfer to, or plan to enroll in a 6-12 or 7-12 Catholic school. Eligible students must demonstrate financial need as determined by the TADS financial aid application.
The primary application for the 2025-26 school year scholarships opens November 1, 2024 and will remain open through February 28, 2025. Families who are currently enrolled in a Catholic school are strongly encouraged to complete an application for 2025-26 during this application window. Families fill out only one application to be considered for all available scholarships.
When the application period is open, apply by visiting mytads.com .
If you’re interested in how TADS can benefit your pre-K-12 Catholic school, please see this link and request a demo.