Choosing Mount Saint Joseph Academy means distinctive opportunities that empower students to boldly lead and serve with compassion.
We know that finances are an important factor for families considering a private, Catholic school education.
Each school year, we seek to enroll a class of bright and enthusiastic young women from varying backgrounds and zip codes who are hoping to become agents of transformation.
Mount Saint Joseph Academy (MSJA) believes that qualified students who desire a Catholic, private, college-preparatory education should not be denied that opportunity because of economic hardship. Thus, we are proud to offer tuition assistance for qualifying new and existing MSJA families. Our hope is to make an MSJA education accessible to talented students from economically diverse backgrounds.
MSJA utilizes the ISM (Independent School Management) online service Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) to process applications. FAST will be the standard submission format for all applications. A User Guide is available on the platform. Please note that a Tuition Assistance application for a new family can only be processed if the student’s admission application is complete.
Please see our full Tuition Assistance Policy here.
Click on the “FAST” logo below to begin:
The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. If you have any addition questions or concerns, please contact the support line via email at Familysupport@ismfast.com.
The charge for the application is $60 and to be paid by credit card (Visa, MasterCard or American Express) after all sections have been completed.
FAST will no longer accept mailed-in tax documents. With the updated system, users can now provide tax authorization consent for a direct IRS tax pull. Families will need to complete this consent or manually upload any additional required documents, such as pay stubs, if needed by the school.
Tuition Assistance applications can be submitted beginning in August 2024. To be considered for Tuition Assistance, you must complete your online application by October 14, 2024 for an incoming freshman (Class of 2029) and December 16, 2024 for an upperclass student. All applications must be complete in order to be considered for Tuition Assistance. Notification of Tuition Assistance offer will be November 2024 for incoming freshmen and Winter 2024/2025 for current families.
Your 2023 tax return must follow the submission of the online application and be submitted to FAST by the deadline noted above.
Your most recent tax return must follow the submission of the online application and be submitted by FAST by the deadline.
FAST provides a need-based tuition assistance analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FAST is kept confidential. After considering all timely applications, the MSJA Tuition Assistance Committee determines the award amount. The Tuition Assistance Committee uses the FAST report as an assessment tool; however, final award decisions reside within the Tuition Assistance Committee.
Tuition bills are available in early May on the BlackBaud Tuition Management system (formerly known as Smart Tuition) for all families registered. You can pay in one of several ways.
Two Installments due July 1 and November 1. Invoice reminders will be sent via email.
Twelve Installments due the 1st of each month from June to May. This is administered by BlackBaud Tuition Management (see attached below). You can sign up at any time at https://enroll.blackbaud.school/#/findschool
Ten installments are due on the 1st of each month from August to May. This is also administered by BlackBaud Tuition Management.
A new tax legislation includes a provision that permits 529 plan account owners to use assets to pay for qualified K-12 tuition expenses up to $10,000 per year, per student. Account owners can treat qualified K-12 withdrawals as qualified expenses with respect to the federal and Pennsylvania state tax benefits. For additional guidance on this new provision, please consult a qualified tax advisor about your personal situation.
Not sure if your family can afford a Mount education?
Many families aren't confident that their budget can incorporate a private, Catholic education. We are committed to helping families discover practical and manageable ways to pay for the outstanding education that we offer at the Mount. There are many scholarship, grant and other options available about which you may not be aware. We encourage you to apply and to reach out to an admissions representative to learn more.
