Application Process
Fill out an online application here.
OR Download an application form below and mail it to our address:
(Or email it to the address in the application.)
The Mustard Seed Education Foundation, 100 N. Summit St. #400, Toledo, OH 43604
DEADLINE to apply: May 31st 2023
Available Scholarships
The Scholarship of the Mustard Seed
He told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all seeds, yet when it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that the birds come and perch in its branches.” (Matthew 13: 31-32)
Amount: $2,000 one-time award; may reapply each year
Criteria: Awarded to a committed, Catholic family that helps spread the word of God in the community and brings others into the Faith. The family must actively engage in the Parish Community through volunteering at Parish events and attending Mass regularly. This scholarship is available to all our partners in Toledo and now Houston.
Greater Toledo Most Blessed Sacrament Parish, St. Patrick’s Historic Parish, St. Joseph’s Parish, St. Ignatius Parish, St. Jerome Parish, Regina Coeli Parish, All Saints, and Holy Trinity;
Houston St Martha Catholic School and Our Lady of Guadalupe School.
The Scholarship of the Offering
“Jesus sat down opposite the place where the offerings were put and watched the crowd putting their money into the temple treasury. Many rich people threw in large amounts. But a poor widow came and put in two very small copper coins, worth only a few cents.
Calling his disciples to him, Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, this poor widow has put more into the treasury than all the others. They all gave out of their wealth; but she, out of her poverty, put in everything—all she had to live on.'” (Mark 12: 41-44)
Amount: $2,000 one-time award; may reapply each year
Criteria: Awarded to a Catholic single parent sending their children to a Catholic school in the Diocese of Toledo or one of our partner parishes in Houston and having financial need. The family must actively engage in the Parish Community through volunteering at Parish events and attending Mass regularly.
The Scholarship of the Good Shepherd
“I am the good shepherd, and I know My own and My own know Me, even as the Father knows Me and I know the Father; and I lay down My life for the sheep. I have other sheep, which are not of this fold; I must bring them also, and they will hear My voice; and they will become one flock with one shepherd. For this reason, the Father loves Me, because I lay down My life so that I may take it again.” (John 10: 14-17)
Amount: $2,000 one-time award; may reapply each year
Criteria: Awarded to a committed, Catholic family who has a child at a public school and would like to attend a Catholic Grade School in the Diocese of Toledo or one of our partner parishes in Houston. The family must actively engage in the Parish Community through volunteering at Parish events and attending Mass regularly.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Mustard Seed Education Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit founded in 2018 by Dan and Tammi Nester. Mustard Seed helps middle class, hardworking families send their children to Catholic grade school by providing scholarships to eligible families. The Foundation is shaping the hearts, minds and souls of the future through scholarships.
When are Applications Due?
2023-2024 Scholarship applications are due May 31st 2023.
Scholarships are available to Catholic students who will be in kindergarten through eighth grade for the 2023-2024 school year and who belong to our partner parishes and schools. These scholarships are intended for families not eligible for state scholarships.
$2000
All awards will be paid directly to the school.
How many scholarships are available?
At least 10. We are thrilled to grow our partner schools and scholarships!
Can a family get multiple scholarships?
Scholarships are renewable, but each family gets only one scholarship per school year.
Scholarships will be awarded to committed, Catholic families. The family must actively engage in the Parish Community through volunteering at Parish events and attending Mass regularly.
Specific Toledo and Houston Catholic schools. Parishioners of Most Blessed Sacrament, St. Joseph’s Parish, All Saints Parish, and Holy Trinity Parish can apply for scholarships to send their children to their parish school.
Parishioners of St. Patrick’s Historic Parish can apply for a scholarship to send their child to any Catholic school.
Parishioners of St. Ignatius Parish and St. Jerome Parish can apply for a scholarship to send their child to Cardinal Stritch Academy.
St Martha Catholic School in Houston, TX and Our Lady of Guadalupe School in Houston, TX qualify.
We are looking to expand the scholarship to other area parish schools in the future.
Benefits
Our scholarships seek to help families who are unable to qualify for other aid. Wealthier families can often afford to send their children to Catholic schools while less fortunate families often qualify for many different types of financial aid. However, there is a large contingent of hard working families that don’t fall into either category. Our goal is help them achieve their dreams of sending their children to Catholic elementary schools.
