Scholarships
ESM believes that quality Christian education should be affordable to all families. To make this possible, members of Emmanuel Lutheran Church and St. Michael Lutheran Church together provide approximately half of the total cost of education for all students enrolled. Despite the fact that the cost of education continues to climb steeply, the support and commitment of our two church congregations helps us provide excellent academic programming at a cost that is still within reach.
For those who need some extra financial help, various forms of scholarships are available.
Our participation in the School Choice program represents our commitment to providing the financial support necessary for families to choose a partnership with ESM. Choice is also available to provide scholarships for a Lutheran high school education! With the significant savings that a Choice Scholarship or SGO award provides at ESM, this allows your family to plan accordingly for Concordia Lutheran High School. What an opportunity for your family to continue with excellence in Lutheran education in the years ahead! For families who need additional support there are a variety of other needs-based and independent scholarships available. Learn more about these programs below.
Last year, over 80% of our students received some form of scholarship. No family who demonstrated financial need was turned away.
**Scholarship information is for students enrolled at ESM in Preschool (age 4 by August 1st) - 8th grade.**
Scholarship FAQ
1) DOES MY FAMILY MEET THE INCOME GUIDELINES BASED ON # PERSONS IN HOUSEHOLD (#HH)?
*Annual income amount is approximate based on guidance included in HB 1001.
YES → Go to section #2
NO - I am an active member of either Emmanuel Lutheran Church or St. Michael Lutheran Church or other participating church, foundation, or organization but desire additional support towards tuition → Go to section #5.
NO - I am not an active member of either Emmanuel Lutheran Church or St. Michael Lutheran Church or other participating church, foundation, or organization. ESM believes that quality Christian education should be affordable to all families. Please contact our school office if there are special circumstances to consider.
2) IS MY STUDENT ELIGIBLE FOR INDIANA SCHOOL CHOICE BASED ON GRADE LEVEL?
YES - KINDERGARTEN through Grade 8 is eligible for Indiana School Choice. → Go to section #3
NO - PRESCHOOL students that are age 4 by August 1st are now eligible for the SGO. → Go to section #4
3) INDIANA SCHOOL CHOICE SCHOLARSHIP AWARD
If you meet the income guidelines based on household size according to the chart above, you may be eligible for the award amount based on the school district where the student resides.
4) SGO SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS
ESM is blessed with private donations from individuals and businesses to provide scholarships to financially qualifying students. If you meet the income guidelines based on household size according to the chart above but your child is enrolled in Preschool (age 4 by August 1st) and not grade eligible for School Choice – you may be eligible for an SGO Scholarship. Scholarships vary in value, are based on need, and on funds available.
5) OTHER NEEDS-BASED OR INDEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS
ESM is blessed to partner in the ministry of Christian education with Emmanuel Lutheran Church and St. Michael Lutheran Church and other participating churches, foundations, and organizations. These organizations offer additional support to eligible families (variable per organization). For example, Emmanuel and St. Michael award up to $3,400 per student. Follow the steps outlined by the organization from which you are seeking a scholarship.
MORE INFO
For a printer friendly version of the information above and for more details regarding Indiana School Choice Scholarships, SGO Scholarships, Definitions of Key Terms, see the ESM SCHOLARSHIP FAQ page in the documents section below.
HOW TO APPLY FOR SCHOLARSHIPS
Application for scholarships is separate from the online re-enrollment process. Only families that have completed the online enrollment application, have paid the $100 family application fee, and have been accepted to Emmanuel - St. Michael Lutheran School will be considered. Select your intended tuition plan (A, B, C, or D) in the online enrollment application and apply for scholarships accordingly.
- PLAN C TUITION SELECTION (CHOICE/SGO) - Indicate your Plan C commitment on the re-enrollment application. Return the completed ESM Scholarship Application AND a copy of your Federal Form 1040 to either school office. Completed scholarship applications are due April 15th for priority consideration. Following the priority deadline, applications will be considered based on the remaining funds available. The scholarship application is available in a variety of ways. Note that if you are a member of Emmanuel or St. Michael you are still eligible to receive the Church Partner Scholarship (Plan D), and the churches will facilitate next steps if you have a remaining balance.
Option #1:
Download the Scholarship Application in the documents section below OR download from the Sycamore admissions portal OR you can pick up a copy in either school office. Once completed, you can return the scholarship application AND a copy of your Federal Form 1040.
Mail to:
ESM
℅ Finance Manager
1123 Union Street
Fort Wayne, IN 46802
Option #2:
ESM is now able to process Scholarships Applications through a secure, online method of signing and returning the scholarship application AND a copy of your Federal Form 1040 with DocuSign. Click the button below to begin.
- PLAN D TUITION SELECTION (NEED BASED + INDEPENDENT SCHOLARSHIPS) - Indicate your Plan D commitment on the re-enrollment application and follow the steps outlined by the organization from which you are seeking a scholarship. For example, all active members of Emmanuel or St. Michael Lutheran Church would be eligible for a Church Partner Scholarship if they have need. If you still have a tuition balance after checking for Choice eligibility and desire additional help, the Emmanuel and St. Michael Church Partner Scholarship will provide up to $3,400/student, or more if you have multiple children at school. Once you indicate that you desire this scholarship by selecting Plan D in your application, the churches will communicate next steps and ensure that all qualifying students receive the full scholarship they are eligible to receive.
When are scholarship applications due?
Completed scholarship applications are due April 15th for priority consideration. Only families that have completed the online enrollment application, have paid the $100 family application fee, and have been accepted to Emmanuel - St. Michael Lutheran School will be considered. If you have not completed the steps to re-enroll for 2024-25 follow the instructions on the Re-Enrollment Information page of our website.
When will I know if I have received a scholarship?
For scholarship applications submitted by April 15th, families will receive an award letter with estimated costs in late May. Award amounts will be reflected on your preliminary statement if you have completed the scholarship application process and met with the ESM finance team to sign the required paperwork. You can always utilize the ESM Tuition and Fees Estimate Worksheet as a guide.
What if I submit my scholarship application after the deadline?
Scholarships will continue to be accepted after the priority deadline. However, following the priority deadline, applications will be considered based on the remaining funds available.