For at-risk students, a high-quality education offers a pathway to opportunities and resources to break the cycle of poverty and rewrite the future for themselves and their families. We’re thrilled to share that this spring CEF scholarship recipients achieved a 100% graduation rate!

The class of 2023 includes 47 CEF scholarship recipients. Of those students, 63% plan to continue their education at a 4-year college or university, 27% plan to attend community college and nearly 9% are entering the workforce with confidence and purpose.

Achieving a 100% graduation rate is no small feat, and it speaks volumes about the transformative impact of Catholic education and the consistent support - academic, social and spiritual - that students receive at CEF schools.

Success Story: Hayden CEF Scholar Receives Exceptional Opportunity
Vicki Simms, CEF scholar and 2023 graduate of Hayden High School in Topeka, was awarded a Kansas Promise Scholarship, providing funding for her to continue her education at Washburn University at no cost.

As the student speaker at our 2022 Gaudeamus benefit gala, Vicki shared:

“Catholic education has shaped me into the person I am today,” she said. “From the bottom of my heart, I want to express my gratitude to all CEF donors. Your commitment to Catholic education changes lives like mine.”

Vicki will be the first in her family to graduate from college.

While enrollment projections for the 2023-24 school year are forthcoming, CEF has already received scholarship requests from 200 new families. With your support, CEF can provide the tuition assistance to help at-risk students access the safe, supportive classrooms at our K-12 Catholic schools where they can thrive and develop a relationship with Christ.

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