FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 18, 2012

Contact: Patricia M. Chivers
Communications Director
(678) 480-6865
pchivers@archatl.com

Survey Confirms GRACE Scholars Reaching Underserved Groups

The characteristics of Georgia Catholic school students receiving GRACE Scholars’ awards line up well with the organization’s goal of serving underserved populations, a December 2011 survey of the 36 elementary and secondary schools which participate in GRACE Scholars revealed.

The survey found that 45 percent of the current 421 recipients come from racial and ethnic minorities. More than one-third qualify for free or reduced lunch.

Mean family income is $48,000 with one in four recipients coming from families with adjusted family income of $27,000 or less.

The group is 27 percent non-Catholic. The survey found that 53 percent of the students live outside of Metro Atlanta.

“The survey,” said David Brown, GRACE director, “confirms that GRACE is enabling students and families overcome financial obstacles that might prevent attendance in Catholic schools.”

Brown pointed out that GRACE Scholars awards are only made to students who demonstrate financial need as determined by outside, independent firms.

GRACE Scholars, Inc. is a Georgia student scholarship organization and 501(c)(3) organization. Georgia taxpayers can redirect a portion of their state income taxes to GRACE Scholars and receive a 100 percent tax credit.

GRACE Scholars, Inc. was established in 2008 by Georgia’s Catholic bishops. Archbishop Wilton D. Gregory of Atlanta and Bishop Gregory J. Hartmayer OFM Conv. of Savannah serve on the GRACE Scholars board of directors. Participating schools include schools in both dioceses.

A summary of the survey findings is below.

GRACE Scholars, Inc.
Scholar Profile – December 2011

For more information, contact Pat Chivers at pchivers@archatl.com or 678-480-6865.

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