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CHICAGO –  Today, the Cristo Rey Network announced the launch of two new college scholarship programs for Cristo Rey students to decrease their out-of-pocket costs for college. These opportunities have been made possible by a $3 million gift from The Howley Foundation and a $1 million gift from John and Kathleen Schreiber.

Cristo Rey schools have begun considering strong applicants from the Class of 2022 to be applicants for each of these needs-based scholarships summarized below.

Cristo Rey Howley College Scholars Program
With a $3.06 million investment from The Howley Foundation, the Cristo Rey Howley College Scholars Program will award graduating seniors in the Classes of 2022-2025 with supplemental four-year college scholarships for eligible Cristo Rey students enrolling at one of 68 Cristo Rey Network University Partners. In each class, 30 seniors will be named Cristo Rey Howley College Scholars and receive approximately $6,000 per student, renewable for four years. This program is an expansion of a pilot nearing completion, which has already translated into demonstrable impact for students. For the Classes of 2015-2018, Cristo Rey Howley scholars completed, or are on track to complete, Bachelor’s degrees at twice the rate as the Cristo Rey Network national average (as measured by the organization’s Class of 2015 college completion rates).

“We have been long-term supporters of the Cristo Rey schools and the national office,” said Meg Mitkus, Executive Director of The Howley Foundation. “We believe Cristo Rey is the only network of its size in the country focused exclusively on providing a high-quality college preparatory education combined with value and character development to those most in need. We are proud to expand our support through this college scholarship program.”

Cristo Rey Network National Schreiber Scholars Program
After years of supporting Cristo Rey schools in the Chicagoland region, John and Kathleen Schreiber have fueled a new $1 million Cristo Rey Network National Schreiber Scholars Program to award a combination of current use and endowed college scholarships to eligible Cristo Rey students enrolling in Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University. The college scholarships will be eligible for approximately four graduates of the classes of 2022-2026 and at least one graduate from the class of 2027 and beyond. Selected scholars of the Cristo Rey Network National Schreiber Scholars Program will qualify to receive approximately $5,000 per student, renewable for four years.

“Kathy and I are so impressed by the hard work that Cristo Rey students put into their education,” said John Schreiber. “The Schreiber Scholars Program is our effort to continue to support these talented young men and women as they pursue degrees from two of our favorite Chicago area institutions, Loyola University Chicago and DePaul University.”

The Cristo Rey Network national office will administer the application and renewal process for both scholarship programs, making bi-annual disbursements to the colleges and universities on behalf of the scholars. Furthermore, the alumni advisor at each participating Cristo Rey high school provides all of its graduates, including scholars of these two programs, with ongoing support as they navigate college.

“As the national office continues to help Cristo Rey schools strengthen their college-going cultures and expand their support for graduates during their post-secondary education, The Howley Foundation and John and Kathleen Schreiber have stepped up in an extraordinary way to award students with scholarships to fill the financial gap that could otherwise impede them from achieving a Bachelor’s degree,” remarked Cristo Rey Network President and CEO Elizabeth Goettl.

To learn more about investing in an existing or new college scholarship program, please contact Cristo Rey Network Chief Advancement Officer, Brenda Morris at 312-784-7208.