GIVING

Donor support affects many areas of Jesuit High School:

• Maintaining the physical campus
• Enhancing the physical, academic, and spiritual needs of the campus
• Financial assistance
• Tuition cost controls    

Ultimately, all of these areas impact the most important aspect of Jesuit High School - every Jesuit student!

1. JESUIT’S PHYSICAL CAMPUS is served through funds to maintain the cleanliness, safety, and appearance of the facility, as well as implementing necessary renovations on a timely basis. Specifically, Annual Fund dollars help the school when unforeseen emergencies arise on campus. Like individual homeowners, Jesuit is faced with unexpected maintenance problems on occasion. Much of the six-decade-old campus is prone to common dilemmas: air conditioning breakdowns, roof leaks, extensive plumbing or electrical issues, etc. These problems can arise suddenly, and must be dealt with immediately to avoid disruptions in Jesuit’s academic and extracurricular activities. Annual Giving helps Jesuit be prepared to meet this important need.
2. CAMPUS IMPROVEMENTS AND ENHANCEMENTS help the school remain the best among Tampa Bay area preparatory schools. In 2015, Jesuit launched the $35 million "For Greater Glory" capital campaign, which, by its completion in 2019, had become a $50 million campaign. “This campaign represents our tremendous commitment to Jesuit in Tampa, and is possible through the remarkable generosity of our alumni and parents,’’ school president Fr. Richard C. Hermes, S.J. said. “Now future generations of young men in Tampa can achieve their academic, personal, and spiritual development at Jesuit.” Nearly 60 years after moving from downtown, where the school was founded in 1899, to Himes Ave. in 1956, the campaign was established to secure the legacy of Jesuit in Tampa for another 60 years and beyond. Phase I of the campus master plan made possible by the campaign included the grand Chapel of the Holy Cross, the literal and spiritual heart of campus; Gonzmart Hall, the main administration building and beautiful face of Jesuit on Himes Ave; and the stately Oliva Courtyard connecting the chapel to Gonzmart Hall. All were completed in 2018. Phase II of the campus master plan includes the spectacular Antinori Center for the Arts, completed in the spring of 2023, and future plans call for a new Student Activities Center and Dining Hall as well as a new Science Building, among other things. Between 2003 and 2008, the $8 million "Honoring Our Traditions" capital campaign enabled Jesuit to add the new Fr. Michael Kennelly S.J. Technology Wing, the Fr. Richard Hartnett S.J. Classroom Building, the Al Lopez Sr. ’27 Sports Complex, the A.M.D.G. Celebration Plaza and the iconic Jesuit Memorial Bell Tower. The library, gymnasium and cafeteria also were renovated by funds from the Capital Campaign, and a top-quality turf field and rubber track were installed at Corral Memorial Stadium. This was followed by the $2 million "Upholding the Tiger Tradition" capital campaign which made possible the construction of Jesuit's new baseball facility, Hyer Family Park, which opened in February 2011.
3. FINANCIAL AID to students of families in need has been a tradition at Jesuit since the school opened its doors in 1899. It has allowed the school to educate academically qualified boys from all socio-economic backgrounds and maintain its diversity. In 1975, Jesuit’s Financial Aid Endowment was established to help the school enable students from low-income and struggling families to attend the school. The program extends limited support based entirely on need. Jesuit High School now provides well over $2 million annually in financial assistance. A third-party processing firm and a committee of lay people objectively analyze the criterion each year to determine how this aid is distributed. For more information on Financial Aid eligibility and application, please go to Tuition Information in the Admissions section of this website. The continuing support for financial aid has been essential to Jesuit High School fulfilling its mission.

Jesuit does not provide scholarships based on athletic performance, nor does it issue student loans. However, there are several means for Jesuit students to receive tuition assistance:

1. Financial Aid
Students who have been academically accepted for enrollment can apply for need-based tuition assistance through the Financial Aid Endowment program. All families are welcome to apply for aid. Jesuit’s financial aid program is designed to provide tuition relief for lower income or disadvantaged families, and assistance is granted solely on need-based circumstances. A third-party processing firm and a committee of lay people objectively analyze the criterion each year to determine how this aid is distributed. In recent years, more than 30% of the Jesuit student body has received more than $2 million annually in financial aid.

2. Step Up For Students Scholarships
Jesuit High School is a participating school with the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and Step Up For Students. This program provides income-based scholarships to qualified families. Click here to learn more about how the scholarship works and to view the income chart.

3. The Prince Family Merit Scholarship Program

•  Saint Ignatius Scholarships Jesuit High School's Saint Ignatius Scholar Program, established in 2014, is a merit-based tuition assistance program designed to attract and retain students of exceptional scholastic ability whose scores on the High School Placement Test (HSPT) are in the top 2% nationwide. In addition, qualified students will be evaluated on the basis of character, faith, service, and need. (Click here for a Jesuit website story about the school's Ignatius Scholars.) Jesuit High School will provide two Ignatius Scholars, chosen from the pool of Ignatius Scholar finalists (the top 2% on HSPT), with an annual award of half the cost of tuition for each of their four years at Jesuit. In addition, two Ignatius Scholar finalists are selected as Loyola Foundation Scholars, who receive an annual award of one-quarter the cost of tuition for four years. All remaining Ignatius Scholar finalists who enroll at Jesuit receive $1,000 toward tuition their freshman year. While the Ignatius Scholar awards are separate from and, in some cases, supplementary to Jesuit’s need-based financial aid, the financial need of those who qualify for Ignatius Scholarships, relative to that of other Ignatius Scholar qualifiers, is one of several factors in the final decision. For more information and to apply, please contact admissions director Steve Matesich '91 at smatesich@jesuittampa.org.
• Saint Alberto Hurtado Scholarships Jesuit High School's Hurtado Service Program, established in 2017, is a merit-based tuition assistance program designed to attract and retain students of exceptional moral character who have a strong personal desire to serve those in need in the community. Jesuit provides two Hurtado Scholars in each incoming class with an annual award of $8,000 in tuition assistance for each of their four years at Jesuit. The Hurtado Service Program is separate from Jesuit’s need-based financial aid award. However, the financial need of those who qualify for Hurtado Scholarships, relative to that of other Hurtado Scholar qualifiers, is one of several factors in the final decision. For more information and to apply, please contact admissions director Steve Matesich '91 at smatesich@jesuittampa.org.
• Zipoli Organ Scholarships Jesuit High School's Zipoli Organ Scholarship, founded in 2018, is named after Domenico Zipoli, S.J., the Jesuit composer, organist, and missionary of the early 18th century. Zipoli Scholars each receive an award of $2,000 in tuition assistance; approximately six months of professional organ lessons to be paid for by Jesuit High School; and the opportunity to play the organ for weddings in Jesuit's Holy Cross Chapel, for which the organist will receive an appropriate stipend, as determined by the school wedding policy. Each year, Jesuit selects its Zipoli organ scholars based on a juried competition. Those who wish to apply for the Zipoli Organ Scholarship must email their intent to Jesuit's music director, Nina Wegmann, with their name, current grade, years of piano experience, and indicate if they are currently taking lessons and who is their piano teacher.

4. Additional FLDOE Scholarships:

• The Gardiner Scholarship Program offered by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) provides eligible students a scholarship that can be used to purchase approved services or products in order to design a customized educational program for the student. Scholarships can be used for specialized services such as speech or occupational therapy, instructional materials, tuition at an eligible private school, contributions to a college prepaid account, and more. The program is directly administered by state-approved nonprofit scholarship funding organizations. Click here to learn more about the Gardiner Scholarship, and to apply.
• The McKay Scholarship Program offered by FLDOE provides more than 30,000 Florida students with special needs the opportunity to attend a participating private school. Florida's school choice programs allow parents to choose the best educational setting — public or private — for their child. Click here to learn more about the McKay Scholarship, and to apply.

The endowment provides the school with a permanent fund or source of income. The money donated for Jesuit’s Financial Aid Endowment is invested, and each year the proceeds from the investment interest are used to fund the school’s financial aid program without sacrificing the principal investment.

Jesuit High School records all contributions to the school, and each year the President’s Annual Report acknowledges gifts and pledge payments received during the fiscal year, which is July 1 through June 30. If your gift was received after June 30, you will be recognized in the following year’s Annual Report.

Whether funds are spent addressing facility needs or academic and spiritual enrichment, every gift to Jesuit High School ultimately benefits the students. If you desire to designate how your gift is applied, there are several ways to show your support for Jesuit:

• Annual Giving Drive (Annual Fund)
• Financial Aid Endowments
• Honorary and Memorial Gifts
• Matching Gifts
• Planned Giving  - 1899 Bequest Society
• Gifts In-Kind
• Gaudiosa Gala
• Fr. Hartnett S.J. Memorial Golf Classic

Jesuit High School is fortunate to have property rental income from land that the school purchased for the Himes Avenue campus relocation in 1956. This income represents less than 10 percent of Jesuit’s operating revenues. While the rental property income helps Jesuit pay bills, roughly 90 percent of Jesuit’s annual operating revenues are raised through other methods, including tuition, fees, and charitable contributions. It is through the generosity of our donors and sound advice from our volunteer team of financial consultants that Jesuit is able to overcome this deficit each year.

Yes! As a 501 (c) (3) non-profit organization, all monetary gifts to Jesuit High School are tax deductible to the fullest extent of the law. Upon receipt of your donation, Jesuit will send you an official acknowledgement of your gift. Please retain this acknowledgement for your tax professional.

The qualifications for financial aid are established by a third party processing company that is approved by the Florida High School Athletics Association (FHSAA). In addition to the independent processing company, an impartial school sub-committee evaluates the applications and determines the distribution of aid on an individual basis to those who meet the need-based criteria. The amount of financial aid granted varies according to need.

Financial Aid Endowment contributions are managed by Jesuit High School’s Investment Committee. The Investment Committee is comprised of six financial professionals from the Tampa community. Fund management is governed by built-in checks and balances from within the committee, as well as from third party outside financial firms. The Investment Committee meets quarterly and provides regular reports to Jesuit’s Board of Trustees

As Jesuit’s Annual Report shows in detail, income from tuition does not cover the cost to operate the school. We refer to this deficit as the “gap.” Most are not aware this gap exists or how the gap is covered from year to year. Each year, on average, the difference between tuition and the actual cost to educate each student is about $2,000. This per-student difference represents the gap. Each year, income from Jesuit’s property rentals and the generosity of Jesuit’s supporters has helped to cover this gap, which in turn, helps avoid big tuition increases. However, the property rental income is not nearly enough to offset future tuition increases. Contributions to Jesuit’s Annual Giving Drive make a major difference in combating tuition increases.

Each and every gift, regardless of size, is vital in helping Jesuit High School meet its financial obligations and goals. Each and every gift makes a difference to the students of Jesuit High School today, and to those yet to be.