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Health & Fitness

Save The Date For JCA

Joliet Catholic Academy announces dates for placement exam workshop and placement exam in January.

In the December 2011 edition of “Christ is our Hope” magazine, Bishop R. Daniel Conlon of the Diocese of Joliet wrote an article about the value of a Catholic education.

“There may be alternatives to Catholic schools,” Conlon said. “There is no substitute.”

The first step to a college preparatory, co-educational high school education at Joliet Catholic Academy begins in earnest after the holidays.

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For the 15th straight year, JCA will host a free placement exam workshop for prospective parents and students on Wednesday, Jan. 11, from 6:30-8 p.m. The first placement exam at JCA is scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 14 at 8:30 a.m. A makeup test is scheduled for the following Saturday, Jan. 21, also at 8:30 a.m. Parents should begin the financial aid process by Feb. 1. Freshmen registration will be on Feb. 23.

For financial aid reasons, the most important test date is the first one. JCA awards Franciscan/Carmelite Scholarships to incoming freshmen based on the first entrance exam scores. Annual scholarship amounts are determined by percentile score.

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The beginning of the financial aid process for all high schools in the Joliet Diocese is the FACTs form. The FACTs application is the grant-and-assessment aid used by the diocese. A flier explaining the FACTs information will be handed out at the entrance exam. This will provide instructions on how to complete the FACTs form. Families are urged to complete the form online.

The FACTs form is used by the Diocese of Joliet to allocate funds. JCA uses that information – which is confidential – to determine eligibility for financial aid to attend JCA.

Ragusa emphasized the importance of following the timeline. Incoming students should attend the first entrance exam and families should fill out the FACTs application and submit by March 1.

Families may also want to apply for the Kazma Family Foundation Scholarship through the Diocese of Joliet. This requires a separate application and the FACTS application to be submitted by Feb. 17. Kazma recipients are awarded a $5,000 scholarship for each year, with additional incentive based on “A” honor roll status during sophomore and junior years.

From there, JCA will use the FACTs form to determine eligibility for scholarships and grants. Combined with Diocesan monies, JCA awarded over $600,000 in scholarships last year. In the first semester, JCA awarded over $100,000 in endowed scholarships and $40,000 based on financial need from donations.

For more information, contact Debbie Dispenza (ext. 274) or Mary Ragusa (ext. 214) in the Admissions Office at 815-741-0500 or email admissions@jca-online.org.

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