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Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund
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Click Here to Download the Bulletin Announcement
A new Scholarship Tax Credit program makes it possible to make a no-net-cost gift that will turn your Ohio tax dollars into tuition for students of any Catholic school you designate in the Diocese of Steubenville. Please scroll down to learn how to contribute or how to apply for a scholarship.How does it work?
Make a contribution to the Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund (CTDSF) by April 15, 2025, that will be eligible for a non-refundable 100% tax credit of up to $750 ($1,500 if married filing jointly) against your 2024 state tax liability. CTDSF will send you a tax receipt for filing your 2024 state income taxes, and notify the designated school of your contribution.See the Frequently Asked Questions for 2024 Below
How to Contribute?
Contributions can be made either by using a printable contribution form or donors can make a contribution online via credit card payment.
Please note: Contributions received after April 15, 2025, are only eligible for a non-refundable 2024 Ohio Tax credit, to be applied against the Ohio Tax liability Payer’s 2024 liability.
Click Here to Download a Printable
Contribution Form -
Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL INFORMATION
Note: The State of Ohio Tax Credit Scholarship initiative is subject to change from Ohio Attorney General’s Office.
What is the Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund (CTDSF)?
The Diocese of Steubenville has established the Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund as a brand new opportunity to support our Catholic Schools and students in the Diocese of Steubenville. Begun in 2022, it is possible to “turn tax dollars into tuition” by making a charitable contribution to the Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund in any given tax year that is eligible for a 100% tax credit on the donor’s subsequent State of Ohio income tax return. The maximum credit amount is currently $750 ($1500 if married filing jointly, where each spouse donates $750).
Is the CTDSF part of the Diocese of Steubenville?
No. The Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund Inc., is a separate corporation and 501(c)(3) organization that supports the Catholic schools of the Diocese of Steubenville. The CTDSF is a newly formed entity certified by the State of Ohio as a “Scholarship Granting Organization” (SGO). The CTDSF has been established to receive funds for and grant scholarships to Catholic school students throughout the Diocese of Steubenville.
What is Ohio’s new Scholarship Tax-Credit Program?
Begun in 2021, the Ohio General Assembly established a new program whereby Ohioans can receive a 100% tax credit against Ohio income tax liability for cash contributions to certified organizations that grant scholarships to students, including those attending Catholic schools. The maximum credit amount is currently $750 ($1500 if married filing jointly, where each spouse donates $750).
Who will benefit from this program?
The program will benefit Ohio Catholic schools and students by prioritizing scholarships for low-income families that seek higher-quality education opportunities for their children. It will also offer taxpayers the ability to reduce their Ohio state tax liability by making a contribution to Scholarship Granting Organizations such as CTDSF. This is a dollar-for-dollar tax credit against your tax liability, or the tax you owe to the state of Ohio.
How does this new program work?
Donors can make undesignated contributions to the CTDSF, and the CTDSF can then award to any eligible student from any Catholic school, or donors can make a contribution designated to benefit students at a particular school. The CTDSF, like any SGO, is required to prioritize “low income” (under 300% of the poverty threshold) recipients, but otherwise the law does not place limits on which K-12 students can be served or the number of scholarships that can be awarded. This program holds tremendous potential for bolstering our efforts to ensure the viability of our Catholic schools and has the potential to benefit every Catholic school in the diocese.
Will CTDSF Scholarships be awarded to applicants that are not “low income?”
All students that apply are eligible to receive an CTDSF Scholarship. While applicants that are under 300% of the poverty threshold (for example; in 2022 this is $83,250 for a family of four) will be prioritized, applicants that are over this threshold are also eligible for an CTDSF Scholarship, based on availability of funds.
When will scholarships from the CTDSF Scholarship Fund be granted?
CTDSF designated contributions received in the current school year will be disbursed to schools and applied to tuition in the subsequent school year. Schools will be able to recommend CTDSF Scholarship recipients of their designated contributions.
How can I learn more about the CTDSF Scholarship Fund?
Contact Deacon Paul D. Ward at (740) 282-3631, extension 156, or email [email protected].
CONTRIBUTING TO THE CHRIST THE TEACHER
DIOCESAN SCHOLARSHIP FUNDWho can contribute to the CTDSF Scholarship Fund?
Anyone. However, only those persons with Ohio tax liability may be eligible for the tax credit.
Is there a cap on the amount I can contribute to the CTDSF?
No! Contributions of any size will be accepted, and generous giving is encouraged as a means for helping more students receive a scholarship towards a Catholic education. While the tax-credit is capped at $750 ($1,500 if married filing jointly), those who give a larger amount to the CTDSF will be extending their generosity even further.
Can my contribution be directed to the school of my choice?
Yes. Donors to the CTDSF have the option of making:- An undesignated contribution that supports schools and students across the Diocese of Steubenville.
- A contribution that is designated to benefit students of a specific Catholic school.
- You can find a list of schools at www.diosteub.org/schoolfinder.
In either case, scholarships to low-income families will be prioritized.
May donors designate their contribution to a specific student?
No. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the CTDSF does not accept contributions that are designated for specific students.
May I contribute online?
Yes. You can contribute online in just minutes. Make your contribution above. You will receive an immediate electronic confirmation of your contribution. A tax receipt will be mailed to you from the CTDSF to use when filing your State of Ohio income taxes and claiming your tax credit.
What are the payment options?
A printable payment form is available. Payments using this form may only be made by check. The CTDSF will send a tax receipt to you for your contribution.
The CTDSF also offers an online payment method. The process is secure and safe. Payments are only accepted by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover, or American Express). Contributing online is easy and fast, and upon authorization of the credit card transaction, your contribution is immediately posted to your account.
Who gets the contribution?
Students in Catholic Schools located within the Diocese of Steubenville who have demonstrated need are the recipients of the tax credit scholarships through the CTDSF.
Can matching contributions from employers be made to the CTDSF?
Yes! This is a great way to double or triple your contribution. Contact your employer’s human resources or benefits department to verify participation. If they do, fill out the employee portion of the application and send it to the CTDSF, P.O. Box 969, Steubenville, Ohio 43952.
You may also mail the matching contribution application with your contribution, and the CTDSF will mail the completed application to your employer.
Who is eligible to receive an CTDSF Scholarship?
All students enrolling in a Catholic K-12 school within the Diocese of Steubenville each year are welcome to complete a scholarship application form. While Christ the Teacher Diocesan Scholarship Fund Inc. will strive to assist as many financially qualified students as possible, the primary criteria for awarding scholarships is financial need; the priority will be low-income students when processing awards for scholarships. “Low income” means the student’s household income is under 300% of the poverty threshold published by the United States Census Bureau, or the student, or their guardians, receive public assistance. Upon confirmation that a student/family is approved for tuition funding, the funds are sent by the CTDSF directly to the school the student attends.
Can I contribute to the CTDSF more than once in any given year?
Yes. You can contribute multiple times in support of the area of greatest need and the school/s of your choosing. Keep in mind that the total tax credit you are able to take is equal to or to the lesser of $750 of your total tax liability.
What happens to my contribution if I give a contribution designated for a particular school and the school closes?
In that event, the CTDSF will move all designate contributions made for that particular school to the undesignated pool of CTDSF, which will then be used to provide scholarships for students from across the diocese.
TAX-CREDIT INFORMATION
The information below is general in nature and is not intended to be used by anyone as tax advice. Please consult a tax professional that is aware of your personal tax situation about this credit and your potential use of it.
Is the amount I claim a tax deduction?
CTDSF donors will receive a dollar-for-dollar state tax credit up to the $750 maximum contribution, which is different from a tax deduction. Tax deductions reduce your taxable income. A tax credit is a dollar-for-dollar credit against the taxes paid to the state of Ohio. The funds are directed to the CTDSF rather than the state.
How do I qualify for the tax credit?
To qualify for the tax credit, you must make a monetary donation to the CTDSF. The credit amount equals the lesser of $750 or the total amount donated to the CTDSF during the tax year. If you are filing a joint return and both you and your spouse make eligible donations, each of you can claim this credit (up to $1500 total).
How do I get a tax credit?
Follow 3 easy steps:
If desired, review your tax liability from last year (for example; 2022 1040 IT, line 8c) to help estimate the amount of your tax liability for this year against which the credit can be taken. Keep in mind the maximum credit amount is currently $750 ($1500 if married filing jointly).
Make your contribution online above, or by completing a contribution form and mail this form with a check to the CTDSF. Use the tax receipt that you receive from the CTDSF to claim your tax credit when you file your State of Ohio income tax return.
How does the taxpayer estimate their tax liability for this year?
Taxpayers can contact their tax preparer, or review their previous year’s state tax return; this may help to estimate your state tax liability for the current year against which the credit can be claimed. This is the total of your tax and not necessarily the amount deducted from your paychecks, the amount refunded to you, or the amount due. Call your tax preparer with additional questions or for further assistance.
How does the taxpayer claim the tax credit?
Taxpayers claim the credit when they complete their tax return by writing in their support amount on the designated lines of the Ohio individual income tax return and attaching their tax receipt from the CTDSF. If you do not pay any income tax to the State of Ohio, no benefit will be received.
The CTDSF will send all contributors the required Ohio tax forms with their receipt once the gift is processed. The forms are also available by calling the Department of Revenue at (800) 352-4090 or clicking on the tax form pages (when they become available) on the CTDSF webpage.
Does the CTDSF Scholarship Fund submit my contribution information to the State of Ohio or the IRS?
No. CTDSF does not submit your contribution information to the State of Ohio or the IRS but provides a receipt or acknowledgment to you that you can use to claim the credit, if applicable.
How do I know if I pay state income taxes?
Everyone pays state income taxes unless you take a loss or don’t have earned income. Even if you receive a state tax refund, you have paid state income taxes. Take a look at your last year’s tax return to determine how much you pay in state income taxes. Checking last year’s tax liability may give you an idea as to what your tax credit may be when you make a contribution to the CTDSF this year, up to the $750 maximum ($1,500 if married filing jointly) tax credit amount allowed by law.
Where do I get the tax form to submit this tax credit program?
Tax forms will be downloadable on this page when they are made available by the State of Ohio.
Can I participate in multiple tax credits?
Yes. As long as you have enough of a state tax liability, you can “stack” tax credits (subject to State of Ohio limits). Please note that a taxpayer’s aggregate tax liability (against which this SGO tax credit is applied) may be reduced by other credits before it is applied. Call your tax preparer with additional questions or for further assistance.