Throughout the history of St. Teresa High School, numerous individuals and families have donated to the St. Teresa Educational Foundation with the intent of investing monies and earning interest to provided scholarships to students showing financial need. Financial assistance is not awarded for athletic purposes. St. Teresa awards over $300,000 per year in grants and scholarships.  In the last few years, most grants ranged from $250-$1500 dollars per year.  Financial assistance has to be applied for each year. It is not an automatic grant for all four years. 

Scholarships monies include

Scholarships monies that have been provided to the St. Teresa Educational Foundation for prospective students include:

• Michael Schrader Memorial Trust: 1986
• Julius L Burtschi Memorial Scholarship: September of 1989
• Larry and Sarah Cunningham Scholarship Fund: 1989
• Wesley and Agnes Collins Scholarship Fund: 1991
• Francis “Smock” White Scholarship Fund: 1992
• Jan and Mark Barmann Scholarship Fund: 1993
• Sister M. Clotilde O’Reilly, O.S.U. Scholarship Fund: 1994
• Mary C. Schaniel Scholarship Fund: December of 1996
• Darrell and Ursula Beck Family Scholarship Fund: 1997
• Althoff Family Scholarship Program                            
• Clarence I. and Theresa K Flemming Scholarship Fund: 2000
• Jonathan Madding Scholarship Fund: May of 2000
• Ethel L. Payton Scholarship Fund: August of 2000
• Alice M. Scherer Scholarship: October of 2006
• Christopher Harper Scholarship: January of 2008
• Laura Brosamer Annual Scholarship
• Lois E. Miglio Scholarship: 2011
• Virginia (Jean) nee Parks Scholarship: March of 2012
• Marilyn Carmean  Scholarship: November of 2013
• Joseph F. Grundler Trust: December of 2014
• Harlan and Nadine Bunker Family Scholarship: 2015
• Whalen and Valerie Vancil Program

Tony Samuelson Scholarship Fund

In 2009, the family of Tony Samuelson established a scholarship in his honor in the St. Teresa Educational Foundation. The Tony Samuelson Scholarship is a $2,000 Scholarship awarded to a graduate of Our Lady of Lourdes based on activities, academics, financial need, character, and an essay the applicants write.  It is awarded as $500 Each year of attendance at St. Teresa as long as the student remains in good academic standing. 

Adam Carter Memorial Scholarship

In the Spring of 2012, the Adam Carter family established a $25,000 scholarship in the St. Teresa Educational Foundation in his memory.  Three scholarships will be awarded to an incoming ninth (9th) grader from each of the three Catholic Elementary Schools – St. Patrick ($500), Our Lady of Lourdes ($500) and Holy Family ($1,000). 

John Eugene “Jack” and Barbara Ann (Witzeman) McCoy Scholarship Fund

The McCoys have established and endowment held by the Community Foundation to fund forty (40) St. Teresa scholarships annually.  Ten (10) practicing Catholics entering 9th grade receive four (4) year $1,250.00 scholarships. 

Robert and Kathy Wiesemann Scholarship

In February of 2016, Robert and Kathy Wiesemann established a $100,000 scholarship. They also sponsor the St. Teresa Incentive Scholarship. This Incentive program provides opportunities for ten (10) students annually.  This was established in 2009 and is awarded to students showing financial need. 

John and Lyn Stengel Scholarship Program

In 2025, Jeff and Linda Stengel established a program for ten (10) students showing financial need with the intent of allowing students an opportunity to attend St. Teresa who might not have been financially able to attend St. Teresa otherwise. 

Michael Fawcett Scholarship Program

Starting with the 2024-2025 recipient of the St. Clotilde O’Reilly award (given to the outstanding high school Junior student each spring), the winner will receive a full tuition scholarship for his/her senior year at St. Teresa High School. The student council nominates three (3) candidates from the junior class with the following criteria: Attitude – Character – Service. The three (3) nominees are then voted upon by the faculty to determine the winner.  The award is presented at the underclassmen awards/NHS Induction ceremony each spring. 

Bruce Owen Scholarship

This scholarship was established by Mr. Owen’s daughter (Julie Herrera) and is awarded annually to an outstanding performing student showing financial need. 

Matt and Natalie Beck Family Scholarship

This scholarship is awarded on an annual basis for students in financial need. 

Direct Grant Program

To be eligible for assistance, a student must demonstrate financial need and have serious interest in St. Teresa.  To ensure impartiality and sensitivity to privacy, the school employs the Facts Financial Aid Program to secure all confidential information.  Parents must complete the Student Aid Form and mail it with the fee to the Facts Financial Aid Program.  Awarded grants will be applied only to the tuition of the grantee.  Every effort will be made to award some financial assistance to all eligible candidates.  Students may be eligible for a grant for each of their years at St. Teresa.  However, the student must apply each year.  No awards will be automatically renewed. 

Illinois Department of Revenue Education Expense Credit

Attending a Catholic school became somewhat more affordable with the passage of the Illinois Department of Revenue Education Expense Credit.  Effective January 1, 2000 an Illinois resident who is a parent or legal guardian of a student (K-12, full time student under the age of 21) in an Illinois elementary or secondary school is eligible to take a tax credit on the Illinois individual income tax.  Credit is 25 Percent of the students remaining qualified education expenses up to $500 per family. 

Other Sources of Financial Assistance

• Knights of Columbus 4th Degree – Please contact the K of C. 4th Degree Assembly 211.  They determine who will receive scholarship help.
• Contact your pastor for possible assistance.