There is an organization working wonders backstage for those who can not otherwise afford a Catholic education in Arizona: Catholic Education Arizona (CEA).
CEA is a nonprofit organization that provides scholarships or tuition assistance to families in Arizona who can not afford a Catholic education.
Founded in 1998, CEA has been working to create opportunities for those in need. Helping approximately 40 different Catholic elementary and high schools, CEA helps Xavier College Preparatory as one of the many schools with which it partners.
Scholarships are one of the most important contributions anyone can receive, and scholarships and tuition assistance create a more affordable experience whether that ties to high school or college.
Scholarships come in many different forms. They can cover as little as books to as much as a full year’s tuition. This can help reduce debt, and make having a higher education more attainable.
In its mission statement, CEA’s objective is “to help underserved families in Arizona by providing a quality, Catholic education for their children.”
Based on CEA’s 2026 Impact Report, the total money raised reached $25 million, which is $5 million more than 2025.
To find applicants who are most in need, CEA partners with a third-party called FAIR (Financial Aid Independent Review, Inc) and they carefully analyze each and every applicant to find the right ones deserving of various amounts of aid.
There are many types of organizations that raise money to support others. Through the School Tuition Organization (STO), donations are collected through what is known as a tuition tax credit program.
While both have similar backgrounds, CEA is an organization that provides support and tuition coverage, while STO is an organization that collects donations. CEA falls under an STO, but it is an individual organization.
CEA, for many years, has supported families who want to send their children to Xavier College Preparatory. In order to apply for this potential tuition assistance, the families must fill out an application for need-based financial aid. After that, their application is sent to CEA and it is reviewed.
If CEA finds that the family is in a situation where paying tuition is not an option, CEA will provide the family with tuition assistance. Other than CEA, families can also apply to alternative STOs for help.
A Xavier student, who wants to remain anonymous due to financial reasons, said, “Because of CEA, I get to come to an amazing school and have made so many great connections with those around me.”
Others have expressed that CEA is an important part of having the ability to come to a Catholic school. Without it, a Catholic education might not have been an option.
Lisa Zuba, director of institutional advancement, as a taxpayer, said, “It is truly rewarding knowing my tax credit is going to help a student attend Xavier.”
Through CEA, families and their children get the opportunity to attend a Catholic school. With it, financial stress and burden are lifted. Something that once seemed impossible is now what a young person will call their school.
