Understanding Sacred Heart Academy Tuition Costs and Affordability Options

Sacred Heart Academy (SHA) is committed to providing a Christ-centered education to a diverse student body. Understanding the costs associated with this education and the available options for making it affordable is crucial for prospective and current families. This article explores the various aspects of tuition at Sacred Heart Academy, including tuition rates, financial aid, payment options, and the school's commitment to affordability.

Investing in a Christ-Centered Education

Sacred Heart Academy views itself as more than just a school; it's a community encompassing staff, students, families, alumni, and friends, all united by their dedication to Christ, community, and service. This shared commitment extends to ensuring that a dynamic, Christ-centered education remains accessible to a diverse range of students and their families. This is made possible through the generous support of Sacred Heart Parish and the Sacred Heart Academy Foundation.

The greater school community's generosity and vision provide the financial, emotional, and spiritual support necessary to cover the school's annual operating costs. This support enables the academy to graduate students equipped with the strength of mind, body, and spirit needed to realize their potential and fulfill God's purpose in their lives.

The True Cost of Education and How It's Offset

While the actual cost to educate each student exceeds $8,600, generous contributions from Sacred Heart Parish, the Sacred Heart Academy Foundation, and fundraising events significantly reduce this cost for families. This commitment to affordability ensures that more families can access the valuable education offered at SHA.

The Value of a Sacred Heart Education

Investing in your child's education is an investment in their well-being and future success. Sacred Heart Academy offers a strong tradition of faith formation, values-based education, and academic excellence that will inspire students throughout their lives. To help families appreciate the value of a Sacred Heart education, the academy encourages prospective families to take a private tour, attend a Sacred Heart event, or meet with current parents.

For over 135 years, Academy of the Sacred Heart has been a place where girls are educated and formed in mind, body and spirit in the tradition of St. Madeleine Sophie Barat.

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fees at Sacred Heart Academy may vary depending on the grade level. In addition to tuition, there is an Annual Registration Fee: $250 per student (Grades Kinder-Prep - 6); $350 per student (Grades 7-12). Registration fees are billed through FACTS on July 1.

Voluntary Tuition Account

The voluntary tuition account was established to minimize across-the-board annual tuition increases, thus keeping the education at Sacred Heart Academy affordable for all. However, there is still a need to meet operating budget requirements. In addition to the above tuition rates, families are strongly encouraged to assist in funding the voluntary tuition account at a level that they are comfortable contributing. Contributions made to this account are completely voluntary and are tax-deductible. It is hoped that parents will recognize that the amount of tuition they are paying on a per-child basis is much less than the true cost of their child’s education and will make a worthwhile contribution to the voluntary tuition account. In doing so, we are showing our commitment to the mission of Jesus Christ and being generous stewards.

Financial Aid and Scholarship Opportunities

Sacred Heart Academy recognizes that the cost of tuition can be a significant barrier for some families. To address this, the academy offers various financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

Financial Aid

Academy of the Sacred Heart offers financial assistance to students whose families demonstrate significant financial need. Applications may be submitted at any time, the Financial Aid Committee wishes to receive applications for the first round consideration for 2026-27 by Friday, December 12, 2025. A new eligibility provision is in place for 2026-2027.

Read also: A Guide to SHU Admissions

Families new to the Academy will receive information about beginning the tuition assistance process upon acceptance of their child. The December 19 deadline does not apply to families applying to the Academy for Admission and for their first submission to FACTS.

The Academy uses a fair and confidential process. We consider many factors as we determine each family’s tuition responsibility, including the number of dependents and children in tuition-charging schools (excluding graduate school), income, assets and other outstanding financial responsibilities. We will begin with the recommendation of FACTS, which is based on the information provided by each family during the ACT Program application process.

The academy partners with CLARITY to manage the financial aid application process. Families seeking financial aid must apply yearly to be considered for aid for the next school year. Returning families login to their current Facts Management tuition accounts and click on the Grant and Aid tab to complete a Financial Aid Application.

Scholarship Opportunities

SHA offers a balance of various merit and need-based scholarship opportunities to attract and retain talented student scholars.

Alumnae Scholarship: A four-year scholarship awarded annually to a young woman who exemplifies the true character of Sacred Heart Academy.
Dear Neighbor Scholarship: A four-year, full tuition need-based scholarship awarded annually to a young woman from the surrounding areas.
Delanie Fekert Memorial Scholarship Award: A four-year need-based partial scholarship awarded annually through the generosity of the Delanie Fekert Foundation.

Additional Scholarship Information

The combination of external grants, aid and scholarships (funded by state, federal and/or private sources) along with financial assistance and scholarships from Sacred Heart Academy may not exceed the cost of full tuition. All full scholarships and financial assistance awards from Sacred Heart Academy will be adjusted by any outside aid, grants and scholarships received.

Read also: SHU Tuition and Fees

Affordable Customized Tuition (ACT) Program

The Affordable Customized Tuition, or the ACT Program, is a flexible tuition model designed to remove barriers for families seeking a Sacred Heart education at the Academy of the Sacred Heart. Just as a Sacred Heart education is tailored to meet the individual needs of each student, The ACT Program tailors tuition to meet the individual needs of each family’s budget. The ACT Program is a commitment to the Goals and Criteria and allows us, in partnership with our families, to build a school learning environment that reflects our entire community in the greater St. Charles/St.

The Academy offers the ACT Program to families from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. If you are applying for admission now or are currently enrolled at the Academy in Primary - 8th Class, you can participate in the ACT Program.

We consider all relevant information to determine a fair and workable individualized tuition amount. However, sometimes there is more to the story. Once you receive your individualized tuition, you have 14 days to appeal the decision. We ask families to complete the ACT Program application each year. Changes in things such as income, family status, and the number of children attending private institutions may result in increases or decreases in the rate of tuition.

Tuition Payment Options

All payments are processed online via FACTS. Sacred Heart Academy offers several tuition payment options to accommodate different family needs:

Option 1: Full tuition payment due by the 21st of August. FACTS annual enrollment fee $25 per family.
Option 2: Semester payments. Payments are due in August and January on the 5th or 20th of each month. FACTS annual enrollment fee is $25 per family.
Option 3: Quarterly payments. Payments are due in August, October, January and March on the 5th or 20th of each month. FACTS annual enrollment fee is $55 per family.
Option 4: 10 monthly payments. Payments are due August through May on the 5th or 20th of each month. FACTS annual enrollment fee is $55 per family.
Option 5: Credit card payment through FACTS. Payment may be made using American Express, MasterCard, Visa or Discover. In addition to the annual FACTS enrollment fee, there is a 3.05% service fee for credit card processing.

Parish Support and In-Parish Tuition Rate

Sacred Heart Parish plays a vital role in supporting the Academy and making it affordable for families. Registered parishioners who meet specific criteria are eligible for the in-parish tuition rate.

Criteria for Registered Parish Family:

Attend Sunday Eucharist with your child(ren) on a weekly basis.
Contribute a minimum of $10 weekly to the parish ($520 on a calendar year basis).
Share time and talents with parish and school ministries.
Enroll your child(ren) to become involved in liturgical ministries such as altar server, lector, etc. at the appropriate age, and participate in at least one chosen ministry yourself.
Enroll your child(ren) in the parish sacramental program if he/she needs preparation to receive sacraments.
Be a registered parishioner at Sacred Heart Parish.

If a family is registered at another local Catholic parish and meets the rest of the criteria outlined above, written confirmation from their priest will be accepted in lieu of Sacred Heart Parish registration.

The Importance of Timely Tuition Payments

Since tuition is our major source of income, it is imperative that we have your cooperation in meeting this obligation on time. There is a $100 late fee assessed, beginning May 1.

The "Gap" and How It's Bridged

While full tuition at the Academy of the Sacred Heart funds a major portion of the cost to educate, it does not fully cover the cost of education. The Academy relies on the generosity of alumni, parents of alumni, current parents, businesses, and friends of the Academy to supplement the "gap". Donations to the Annual Fund and other philanthropic initiatives, as well as proceeds from our special events such as Country Fair and the Chemin de Fer Dinner Auction make a significant impact to reduce the gap. Parents who wish to “Gift the Gap” may be eligible for a tax deduction.

External Funding and Support

Beyond Sunday is open to students of all faiths, with preference given to Catholic students whose families are Catholic and registered in a parish in the Archdiocese of St. Louis. The Cooke Foundation is dedicated to advancing the education of exceptionally promising students who have financial need.

tags: #sacred #heart #academy #tuition #costs