Table of Contents

• Executive Summary
  
  
• Results of Surveys of Graduate Institutions and Dioceses Regarding
  Financial Assistance for Laypersons
  
  Part I: Survey of Graduate Institutions
  
  Part II: Survey of Dioceses
  
  
• Table A: Responses of Graduate Institutions
  
  
• Table B: Responses of Dioceses
  
  
• Appendix A
  
  Financial Assistance for Graduate Study for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (Survey of Graduate Institutions)
  
  Financial Assistance for Graduate Study for Lay Ecclesial Ministry (Survey of Dioceses)

Executive Summary

Financial Assistance for Lay Persons
Preparing for Lay Ecclesial Ministry

The USCCB Subcommittee on Lay Ministry, in the latter half of 2001, conducted a study in collaboration of the Life Cycle Institute of Catholic University, of the financial assistance made available by dioceses and Catholic graduate schools of ministry to those preparing for lay ecclesial ministry, e.g. director of religious education, pastoral associate, director of youth ministry. For the purpose of the survey, lay ecclesial ministry was considered a broad category, including paid and volunteer persons who have been given a formal public role in ministry and have responsibility for a particular area of ministry. The survey inquired about assistance given only to lay women and men, including vowed religious, who are candidates for graduate degrees in theology, ministry, pastoral/theological studies, religious education, spirituality, and canon law.

Of the dioceses, 153 or 81% returned completed questionnaires. Of the 124 graduate institutions listed in the 1999 CARA Catholic Ministry Formation Directory, 85 or 69% returned completed questionnaires. The data were analyzed by Ding, Kounian of Catholic University, under the supervision of Amy Hoey, RSM, Subcommittee staff, and Dr. Dean Hoge, Director of the Life Cycle Institute. Different survey instruments were used for the dioceses and for the graduate schools, although some of the questions were the same on both instruments.

The survey indicated that over nine million dollars was awarded to those preparing for lay ecclesial ministry, $1.6 million from dioceses and $7.7 million from the graduate institutions. Financial assistance was available from 56% of the responding dioceses and 79% of the responding institutions. The form of assistance was somewhat different for each group: 88% of the graduate institutions awarded tuition waivers or grants; 98% of the dioceses gave funds for tuition. Both groups reported that low-interest loans are one form of financial assistance (12% of institutions and 11% of dioceses). Twenty-five percent of the graduate schools estimated that their financial aid covered 50% or more of the student's total tuition costs. The dioceses were not asked to make that estimate.

Individual relationships between specific institutions and specific dioceses were also reported; 61% of dioceses limit their assistance to persons studying at designated educational institutions and 34% of the institutions reported that financial assistance is relatively more available to students from particular dioceses. Financial need is more significant at the institutions than for the diocese; 61% of the institutions report that assistance is more readily available to students with demonstrated financial need, and 38% of the dioceses limit assistance to such persons.

Service within the diocese (or parish) is a key criterion for eligibility for assistance from the diocese: 98% reported that persons already employed are eligible, 76% - persons already volunteering in ministry and 64% - persons committed to work in the future. All of the dioceses reported that some individuals also receive aid for education from the parishes that employ them.

Diocesan policies for financial assistance were established before 1990 by 35% of the dioceses. The greatest percentage (56%) were established during the 1990's. Graduate institutions were not asked when they began their programs of financial assistance.

Sixty-two percent of the dioceses reported that the topic of financial assistance for lay persons has been considered by diocesan leadership in the last few years. In their open-ended comments, most recognized the need for more financial assistance; many mentioned current initiatives, and several referenced the scarcity of financial resources within the diocese. A number of dioceses noted that funding for the education of lay ministers is included within the goals of annual and capital campaigns. Several dioceses mentioned funding for undergraduate theological education for their lay ecclesial ministers; others mentioned that funding for lay ministers was a priority set by diocesan synod or strategic planning. Both the Knights of Columbus and Our Sunday Visitor were acknowledged by some dioceses as providing funding for their financial assistance programs. Several dioceses referred to programs in which the individual pays 1/3 of the tuition, the parish pays 1/3, and the diocese pays 1/3. At least one graduate school has a similar program in which it waives 1/3 of the tuition, the diocese pays 1/3, and the individual pays 1/3. One graduate school awards a full-tuition scholarship and other assistance to all full-time, degree-seeking lay students admitted to its M. Div. Program.

Results of Surveys of Graduate Institutions and Dioceses Regarding Financial Assistance for Laypersons

by Dean R. Hoge and Ding, Kounian
Life Cycle Institute, Catholic University
October 2001

This report is in two parts, each reporting on one survey. Part I gives the results of the survey of graduate institutions, and Part II gives the results of the survey of dioceses. Tables for each part are included; the questionnaires are included as Appendix A.

Part I: Survey of Graduate Institutions

In July 2001 the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women, and Youth of the United States Catholic Conference of Bishops sent out two-page questionnaires to 124 graduate institutions listed in the 1999 CARA Ministry Formation Directory who enroll laypersons preparing for ecclesial ministry. The coordinator for the project was Sister Amy Hoey, RSM. The cover letter in the mailing was signed by Most Reverend Joseph P. Delaney, Chair of the Lay Ministry Committee. After much reminding and phoning, we received 85 completed questionnaires by the October 1 deadline. Thus the return rate was 69%.

The cover letter explained that "lay ecclesial ministry" is a broad category, including paid and volunteer persons who have been given a formal, public role in ministry and have responsibility for a particular area of ministry. It also explained that the present survey was inquiring only about lay women and men, including vowed religious, who are candidates for graduate degrees in theology, ministry, pastoral/theological studies, religious education, spirituality, and canon law.

The data were analyzed by Ding, Kounian at Catholic University, under the supervision of Amy Hoey and Dean Hoge. The following pages summarize the findings. Table A reports the detailed reponses for Part I.

The questionnaire began by asking if the institution gives financial assistance to Catholic lay students, either part-time or full-time. 79% said yes. The institutions saying yes were then asked six specific questions (numbers 2 through 7):

Question 2: Is the assistance limited to any categories of students? Specifically, is it limited to full-time students? 23% said yes. Is it limited to students in particular programs? 25% said yes. Is it limited to students with demonstrated financial need? 23% said yes.

Question 3: Is the assistance given more readily to students in certain categories than to other students? Specifically, is it relatively more available to students from particular dioceses? 34% said yes. To students with demonstrated financial need? 61% said yes. To students with exceptional ministerial potential? 30% said yes.

Question 4: Which forms does the financial assistance take? The questionnaire asked six specific questions:

1. Does it include tuition waivers or reduction? 88% said yes.
   
2. Does it include stipends to cover expenses? 25% said yes.
   
3. Does it include graduate assistantships? 32% said yes.
   
4. Does it include loans from the institution? 12% said yes. If so, what is the rate of interest? Only four institutions responded, but the average rate of interest was 4%.
   
5. Does it offer work-study programs? 32% said yes.
   
6. Does it offer matching grants (by an employer, diocese, or parish)? 36% said yes.

The survey of dioceses was done using a similar method. In July 2001 the Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women, and Youth mailed four-page questionnaires to the ordinaries of the 190 dioceses, requesting information about financial assistance provided by the diocese to laypersons preparing for lay ecclesial ministry. Sister Amy Hoey, RSM, coordinated the project. The cover letter was signed by Most Reverend Joseph P. Delaney. After considerable reminding and phoning, we received 153 completed questionnaires by the October 1 deadline, for 81% completion. This is an impressive rate. Ding, Kounian analyzed the data. The following pages summarize the findings. Detailed responses are found in Table B.

The questionnaire began by stating that it is concerned only with graduate students and programs, and only with lay students (including vowed religious) enrolled in graduate degree programs in theology, ministry, pastoral/theological studies, religious education, spirituality, and canon law. The first question then asked, "Does your diocese or any of its departments provide financial assistance to laypersons enrolled in graduate degree programs in preparation for ecclesial ministry?" 56% of the dioceses said yes. Those saying yes were then asked eight specific questions, numbers 2 through 9.

Question 2: Does your diocese have a policy about financial assistance to laypersons in graduate programs for ecclesial ministry? 66% said yes.

Question 3: If the dioceses has a policy, what does it say about who is eligible for assistance? Specifically, (a) Are persons already employed in ministry in the diocese or in a parish eligible? 98% said yes. Is there a minimum number of years of employment required? 18% said yes. What is the minimum? Only nine dioceses replied, but their median minimum was 3 years. (b) Are persons already volunteering in ministry in the diocese or parish eligible? 76% said yes. (c) Are persons committed to work in the diocese in the future eligible? 64% said yes. If so, what is the commitment required? Twenty-three dioceses responded, but the responses are difficult to summarize.

Question 4: Does your policy include any of the following limitations? (We asked about three limitations:) (a) Is financial aid limited to persons studying at designated educational institutions? 61% said yes. Which institutions? Thirty-one dioceses told of their rules, usually saying that aid was available only at Catholic institutions or at a specific local institution. (b) Is financial aid limited to persons with demonstrated financial need? 38% said yes. (c) Is financial aid limited to persons working toward a specific degree? 57% said yes. Which degrees? Twenty-five dioceses made responses, usually indicating that aid was limited to persons in Masters programs related to ministry.

Question 5: Does your policy specify which educational costs the diocese will support? 91% said yes. What costs?

1. Will it pay for tuition? 98% said yes.
   
2. Will it pay for housing and travel expense? 21% said yes.
   
3. Will it pay for textbooks? 32% said yes.
   
4. Will it pay a monthly stipend to the person? 6% said yes.
   
5. Is there a maximum amount of assistance an individual may receive in any one year? 58% said yes. If so, what is the maximum? Sixteen dioceses wrote in a maximum, and of them, the median was $1000.
   
6. Is there a maximum number of years an individual may receive assistance? 21% said yes. What is the maximum? Twelve dioceses responded, and the median was 4 years.

Table A
Response of Graduate Institutions (In Percents)
(Total N=85)

1. From your institution is any financial assistance available to a Catholic lay student?
   
   

   Yes	79
   No	21

2. Is financial assistance limited to any of the following categories of students?
   
   1. Full-time students only
      

      Yes	23
      No	78

   2. Students in particular programs only
      

      Yes	25
      No	75

   3. Students with demonstrated financial need only
      

      Yes	23
      No	77

3. Is financial assistance relatively more available to students in the following categories than to other students?
   
   1. Students from particular dioceses
      

      Yes	34
      No	66

   2. Students with demonstrated financial need
      

      Yes	61
      No	39

   3. Students with exceptional ministerial potential
      

      Yes	30
      No	70

4. Does the financial assistance from your institution include:
   
   1. Tuition waivers or Reduction?
      

      Yes	88
      No	12

   2. Stipends to cover expenses?
      

      Yes	25
      No	75

   3. Graduate assistantships?
      

      Yes	32
      No	68

   4. Loans from your institution?
      

      Yes	12
      No	88

      ^a What is the rate of interest?(N=4)
      

      Mean

      4

   5. Work-study programs from your institution?
      

      Yes	32
      No	68

   6. Matching grants?
      

      Yes	36
      No	64

5. Is there a maximum number of years a student may receive assistance?
   

   Yes	27
   No	73

   1. How many years?(N=14)
      

      Median

      4

6. Is there a maximum amount of assistance per year?
   

   Yes	46
   No	54

   ^a What is the maximum?(N=11)
   

   Median

   $2700

7. How is the available financial aid for students publicized?
   
   1. By advertisements in Catholic periodicals
      

      Yes	53
      No	47

   2. By your website
      

      Yes	65
      No	35

   3. By mailed literature
      

      Yes	93
      No	7

8. 1. What is the total number of lay students in degree programs this academic year?
      

      1-10	14
      11-30	22
      31-50	13
      51-70	15
      71-100	18
      over 100	19

   2. What is the total number of lay students receiving financial assistance from your institution this academic year?
      

      0	16
      1-10	21
      11-30	33
      31-50	7
      51-70	11
      over 70	12

   3. What is the estimated percentage of lay students who applied for financial assistance and received it this academic year?
      

      0	13
      1-10	9
      11-50	7
      51-90	13
      91-99	10
      100	48

   4. What is the total amount of financial assistance given to lay students in degree programs by your institution this academic year?
      

      $0	20
      $1-5000	15
      $5001-10000	12
      $10001-50000	23
      $50001-300000	15
      Over $300000	15
      Total	$7,717,766

   5. What is the estimated percentage of all tuition costs of lay students in degree programs which is covered by your institution's financial aid?
      

      0	20
      1-10	9
      11-30	21
      31-50	25
      51-65	15
      over 65	10

   ^a Too few cases to percentage.

This questionnaire refers only to graduate students and programs. It is concerned only with lay men and women, including vowed religious, who are candidates for graduate degrees in theology, ministry, pastoral/theological studies, religious education, spirituality, and canon law.

Name of Institution:

Address:

Name and Title of Person Responding:

Phone:

E-Mail:

1. From your institution is any financial assistance available to a Catholic lay student, enrolled either full-time or part-time? (Circle Yes or No.)
   Yes      No
   (If Yes, continue. If No, skip to Question 8.)
   
   
2. Is financial assistance limited to any of the following categories of students? (Circle Yes or No after each.)
   
   
   1. Full-time students only   Yes   No
      
   2. Students in particular programs only   Yes   No
      
   3. Students with demonstrated financial need only   Yes   No
   
   
3. Is financial assistance relatively more available to students in the following categories than to other students? (Circle Yes or No after each.)
   
   
   1. Students from particular dioceses   Yes   No
      
   2. Students from demonstrated financial need   Yes   No
      
   3. Students with exceptional ministerial potential   Yes   No
   
   
4. Does the financial assistance from your institution include:
   
   1. Tuition waivers or reduction?   Yes   No
      
   2. Stipends to cover expenses?   Yes   No
      
   3. Graduate assistantships?   Yes   No
      
   4. Loans from your institution?   Yes   No
      (If Yes:) What is the rate of interest? ______
      
   5. Work-study programs from your institution?   Yes   No
      
   6. Matching grants (by an employer, diocese, or parish?)   Yes   No
   
   
5. Is there a maximum number of years a student may receive assistance?
   
   Yes   No   (If Yes:) How many years? _______
   
   
6. Is there a maximum amount of assistance per year?
   
   Yes   No   (If Yes:) What is the maximum? _______
   
   
7. How is the available financial aid for students publicized?
   
   
   1. By advertisements in Catholic periodicals   Yes   No
      
   2. By your website   Yes   No
      
   3. By mailed literature   Yes   No
8. Here are five questions about your institution. Answer all that are applicable:
   
   
   1. What is the total number of lay students in degree programs this academic year?_____
      
   2. What is the total number of lay students receiving financial assistance from your institution this academic year? _____
      
   3. What is the estimated percentage of lay students who applied for financial assistance this academic year and received it? _____
      
   4. What is the total amount of financial assistance given to lay students in degree programs by your institution this academic year? _____
      
   5. What is the estimated percentage of all tuition costs of lay students in degree programs which is covered by your institution's financial aid? _____

This questionnaire refers only to graduate students and programs. It is concerned only with lay men and women, including vowed religious, who are candidates for graduate degrees in theology, ministry, pastoral/theological studies, religious education, spirituality, and canon law.

Diocese:

Name and Title of Person Responding:

Phone:

E-Mail:

1. Does your diocese or any of its departments provide financial assistance to laypersons enrolled in graduate degree programs in preparation for ecclesial ministry? (Circle Yes or No.)
   Yes   No
   (If Yes, continue. If No, skip to Question 10.)
   
   
2. Does your diocese have a policy about financial assistance to laypersons in graduate programs for ecclesial ministry? (Circle Yes or No.)
   Yes   No
   (If Yes, continue. If No, skip to Question 8.)
   
   
3. According to your policy, who is eligible for assistance? (Circle Yes or No after each.)
   
   
   1. Persons already employed in ministry in the diocese or in a parish are eligible.
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) Is there a minimum number of years of
      employment required?
      
      Yes   No (If Yes:) How many years minimum? _______
      
      
   2. Persons already volunteering in ministry in the diocese or parish are eligible.
      Yes   No
      
      
   3. Persons committed to work in the diocese in the future are eligible.
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) What is the commitment? (Write in.)
   
   
4. Does your policy include any of the following limitations?
   
   1. Financial aid is limited to persons studying at designed educational institutions.
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) Which institutions? (Write in.)
      
      
   2. Financial aid is limited to persons with demonstrated financial need.
      Yes   No
      
      
   3. Financial aid is limited to person working toward a specific degree.
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) Which degree or degrees?
   
   
5. Does your policy specify which educational costs the diocese will support?
   Yes   No
   
   (If Yes:) Will it pay for tuition?    Yes   No
   
   Will it pay for housing and travel expenses?    Yes   No
   
   Will it pay a monthly stipend to the person?    Yes   No
   
   Is there a maximum amount of assistance an individual may receive in any one year?   Yes   No
   
   (If Yes:) What is the maximum? _______
   
   Is there a maximum number of years an individual may receive assistance?    Yes   No
   
   (If Yes:) What is the maximum? _______
   
   
6. 1. Does the financial assistance include direct payments or grants?
      Yes   No
      
      
   2. Does it include loans?
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) What is the rate of interest? _______
      
      Is there a provision for forgiveness of loans later under certain conditions?
      Yes   No
      
      (If Yes:) What are the conditions?
   
   
7. When was your diocesan policy instituted? (Now skip to Question 9.)
   
   
8. If your diocese has no policy about financial assistance to persons studying to get degrees for ecclesial ministry, does it provide such aid anyway? (Check as many as apply.)
   
   _______ Yes, some individuals receive aid from the diocese
   
   _______ Yes, some individuals receive aid from parishes
   
   _______ No, not to my knowledge.
   
   
   
9. What are the sources of the funds available for diocesan financial assistance? (Check as many as apply.)
   
   _______ General funds included in the budget
   
   _______ Special endowments funds
   
   _______ Special or annual collections
   
   _______ Other (Write in:)
   
   
10. Regardless of whether or not your diocese has a policy, how many laypersons in your diocese have received financial assistance from your diocese in the last year for their study to earn degrees for ecclesial ministry? (If necessary, estimate.)
    _______
    
    
11. How many dollars were distributed by the diocese for educational assistance to laypersons for study for ecclesial ministry in the last year? (If necessary, estimate.)
    _______
    
    
12. 12. Has the topic of educational financial assistance for laypersons been considered by your diocesan leadership in the last few years?
    Yes   No
    
    (If Yes:) What opinions were expressed? (Write in:)

Email us at flwymail@usccb.org
Secretariat for Family, Laity, Women & Youth | 3211 4th Street, N.E., Washington DC 20017-1194 | (202) 541-3000 © USCCB. All rights reserved.