THE GOOD SHEPHERD SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Planting the Seeds of Faith in the Diocese of Lincoln
Beginning with assistance in 2019, this diocesan-wide program offers scholarships to bridge the gap for families between tuition costs and their ability to pay. The Good Shepherd Scholarship is available to any Catholic School student in the Lincoln Diocese, regardless of religious affiliation.
Mission
The Good Shepherd Scholarship has one mission, to ensure that Catholic education in the Diocese of Lincoln is available to any student, through financial assistance to families in need. In partnership with businesses, foundations and many benefactors, the Lincoln Diocese will continue its’ legacy of providing families with an excellent and affordable Catholic education for their children.
Lincoln Diocese Education Office Mission
The Mission of the Catholic School System of the Diocese of Lincoln is to form students spiritually, intellectually, emotionally, socially, and physically, in partnership with parents, and in harmony with the specific gifts given by God to each student. In order to fulfill this mission, these schools are committed to integrating the best programs and means of education with Catholic faith and moral values.
Who the Fund Serves
The Good Shepherd Scholarship is for any child, regardless of religion or background, who wants to receive a Catholic education, but may not be able to pay the full tuition costs.
Tuition in the Diocese of Lincoln
Tuition assistance is available locally through every school and parish and every child receives a substantial discount from the cost of education. This, however, still leaves over 1,500 children diocesan-wide who need additional financial assistance.
Good Shepherd Scholarship Impact
2020-2021 Good Shepherd Scholarships
- $2.1 Million in Scholarships
- 1,337 Students Received Scholarships
2019-2020 Good Shepherd Scholarships
- $1.2 Million in Scholarships
- 1,170 Students Received Scholarships
Senior Class Results
- 100% Graduation Rate (85.3% National Rate; 88.4% Nebraska Rate)
- 34% of the Good Shepherd Scholarship seniors identified as minority students (48% National Rate; 33.5% Nebraska Rate)
From James D. Conley, Bishop of Lincoln
“We must “lead with beauty” if we want to win the hearts and minds of our students. Our schools must be beautiful places to learn if we want our students to fall in love with learning, if we want them to embrace the lifelong adventure of discipleship!
“Whereas the Catholic philosophy of education, from the very beginning of our medieval schools of Oxford and Salamanca and Paris, is the integral formation of the whole person, “which includes the development of all the human faculties of the students, together with the preparation for professional life, formation of ethical and social awareness, becoming aware of the transcendental and religious education.” (Vatican II) In other words, what we call a liberal education – liberal in the true sense of the word, in the sense of being liberated from the error of darkness and being truly free to walk in the light.”
Link to entire article: Bishop Conley on Catholic Education
Holy Scriptures tell us of the Good Samaritan
Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and fell into the hands of robbers, who stripped him, beat him, and went away, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road; and when he saw him, he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan while traveling came near him; and when he saw him, he was moved with pity. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, having poured oil and wine on them. Then he put him on his own animal, brought him to an inn, and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii, gave them to the innkeeper, and said, ‘Take care of him; and when I come back, I will repay you whatever more you spend.’ Which of these three, do you think, was a neighbor to the man who fell into the hands of the robbers?” 37 He said, “The one who showed him mercy.” Jesus said to him, “Go and do likewise.” Luke 10:30-37
This parable reminds us that our “neighbor” is anyone God has put in our path and that we are to show love when they are in need, regardless of their associations or background. The Good Shepherd Scholarship Fund embraces the goodness and nature of the Good Samaritan.
