By Alison Basley • Posted February 24, 2017

Academically promising students in need can now apply for a new scholarship to help them attend one of several archdiocesan high schools.

Faith in the Future Foundation announced the new scholarship program from the Howley Foundation in hopes that “students who are economically challenged benefit from a high-quality Catholic education,” according to a statement Feb. 16.

The scholarship, in conjunction with the Archdiocese of Philadelphia’s Office of Catholic Education, will be distributed from a fund of $576,000 that will be awarded to 45 freshman students in the class of 2021.

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The figure calculates to $12,800 per student, and $3,200 for each of their four years in a Catholic high school — representing a significant aid package for families.

Howley scholars must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and “scholarships will be based on a combination of merit and need,” the statement said.

Samuel Casey Carter, CEO of Faith in the Future, thanked Nick and Lorie Howley and their daughter Meg Miktus for increasing their commitment to next year’s incoming class of students. Carter said the generosity of the Howley family is part of a “rebirth of Catholic schools” in the region that “deserves the national attention it is getting.”

Students set to enter high school this September may apply now to Monsignor Bonner and Archbishop Prendergast Catholic High School, John W. Hallahan Catholic High School for Girls, SS. John Neumann and Maria Goretti High School, Roman Catholic Preparatory High School, West Catholic Preparatory High School, Bishop McDevitt High School, and Little Flower Catholic High School for Girls.

Current eighth-grade students will need to apply to the high school they wish to attend and will need to request consideration for a Howley scholarship.