St. Paul Educational Trust Announces the Brian Fraser Memorial Scholarship

Brian spent ten happy years as a student at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic School.

This photo was taken on the first day of Young 5s.

The St. Paul Educational Trust is establishing a St. Paul Catholic School Scholarship to honor the memory of alumnus, Brian Fraser. Brian spent ten happy years at St. Paul School from Young 5s until his 8th-grade graduation in 2017.

“Brian was a much loved and admired member of the St. Paul Catholic School and Parish family,” said Jennifer O’Donnell, an officer of the Trust.  “Many people have come forward asking how they could participate in a program to honor his memory. We decided an endowed scholarship to the school he loved would be the best way to continue his legacy.”

The first Brian Fraser Memorial Scholarship will be awarded for the upcoming 2023-2024 school year.  More details will be forthcoming.  Persons interested in contributing to the growth of the scholarship can do so by clicking here and including Brian Fraser’s name in the indicated field.

Any questions can be directed to the St. Paul Educational Trust via info@stpauleducationaltrust.org

Brian spent ten happy years as a student at St. Paul on the Lake Catholic School.

This photo was taken on the first day of Young 5s.

“Better to illuminate than merely to shine, to deliver to others contemplated truths than merely to contemplate.”

– St. Thomas Aquinas

St. Paul Educational Trust

A Legacy of Learning

History of St. Paul Educational Trust

In 1973, the future of Catholic elementary education seemed uncertain. All round the metro Detroit area Catholic schools were closing because of financial constraints. Three years earlier the high school at St. Paul on the Lake Parish had closed due to financial pressures. Parishioners Tom McGann (Parish Council President) and Lynn McGann (Education Commission Chair) began to worry about the future of St. Paul Elementary School.   Closing the grade school would end another channel of future Catholic adults. They agreed that something had to be done. In general, fund raising is usually consumed within a year. In this case, something more was needed – something with long term staying power.

After analyzing the problem and reviewing how other private institutions deal with cost issues, the McGanns concluded that an endowment or a trust should be established.

The McGanns then began the process of creating an Educational Trust for St. Paul School. Monsignor Francis X. Canfield, who was pastor at the time, was an enthusiastic supporter of the concept of a Trust from day one, but as with any new idea, other decision makers needed some convincing. It took nearly three years to get Archdiocese of Detroit approval, to get Trust documents prepared (by Attorney Eugene Gargaro) to gain approval by the IRS for a 501(c)3 tax status, to select a Board of Trustees, and to set goals and determine a meeting schedule. In 1977 the St. Paul Educational Trust began operations and in 1979 the first grant was made.

Over the years the Trust has grown steadily from contributions and through prudent professional investment management. Grants have been used to purchase such items as computers, smart boards, text books, consumable materials, technology upgrades, school air conditioning, and other instructional supplies, as well as contributing to faculty needs and supporting St. Paul’s religious educational programming and activities. The Trust is presently valued at approximately $3,000,000.00 and has disbursed more than $1,800,000.00 in the form of grants. Today there are nine endowed and named scholarships (the first being The Monsignor Francis X. Canfield Scholarship). These are granted each year by the Trust and have been awarded to a total of 122 recipients.

The members of the original Board of Trustees were Monsignor Francis X. Canfield, Frank Couzens, Jr., Treasurer, James Dingeman, William Hurley, John Imesch, Thomas F. McGann, Chairman, Philip J. Meathe, Theodore H. Mecke, Jr., Vice-Chairman, John K. Roney, and Robert F. Taylor, Secretary. Tom McGann served as Chairman of the Trust for thirty-eight years. The current Board of Trustees includes the Pastor and nine lay trustees who have earned a total of nine undergraduate degrees, three post graduate degrees, and eleven professional designations.  All designations are business related. All Trustees serve on a voluntary basis and without compensation

Mission

The purpose for which the St. Paul Educational Trust was formed includes the following:

  • To aid in the support of present and future educational and instructional programs at St. Paul Parish
  • To subsidize the cost of Catholic education for needy students who meet certain qualifications
  • To financially support other related educational projects of St. Paul Parish
  • To engage in other charitable, religious, and educational activities at St. Paul Parish

2023 St Paul Educational Trust Catholic School Scholarships

Any parishioner planning to attend St. Paul School or a Catholic high school in the metro Detroit area is eligible and encouraged to apply for one of these scholarships.

Funds for all the endowed scholarships come from the St. Paul Educational Trust.

St Paul Educational Trust Competitive Scholarships

For St. Paul School

The William A. Cardinal Scholarship

In accordance with the wishes and generosity of late St. Paul parishioner William A. Cardinal, the St. Paul Educational Trust has initiated a full tuition scholarship for a St. Paul Catholic School student entering the 8th grade. William A. Cardinal desired that a merit-based scholarship for a student exhibiting outstanding academic achievement, leadership and character be instituted and granted on an annual basis. 

St. Paul Catholic School 7th grade students are eligible to apply. Applicants must have an “A” academic average and include each of the following as part of the scholarship review process:

  1. Letter of Recommendation from a St. Paul Catholic School teacher
  2. Copy of report cards for 6th grade and first semester 7th grade
  3. List of extra-curricular activities including sports, volunteer work, active service in Mass and any other applicable service
  4. Write an essay expressing your thoughts on the following two topics:

 

  • Please reflect on your experience at St. Paul Catholic School. What are some of the key lessons you have learned and value you have received from a Catholic education
  • Please share your thoughts on how you plan on giving back as a result of your gift of a Catholic education. How do you plan to carry forward what you learned and experienced during your time at St. Paul Catholic School?

 

The Joseph and Alice Wright Scholarship

St. Paul Parish fifth graders, who plan to attend St. Paul Middle School in the fall, are eligible to apply for a $1,500 grant, which is given annually to a deserving young parishioner entering the sixth grade at St. Paul School.  The tuition grant is renewable each year for the three years of middle school, provided the student maintains a “B” academic average.

Any fifth grade member of the parish is invited and encouraged to apply for the scholarship.  The student must write a letter of application for the scholarship and include a letter of recommendation from a teacher as well as copy or his or her most recent report card.

For a Catholic High School

Monsignor Francis X.Canfield Scholarship

Any eighth grade member of St. Paul Parish who plans to attend a Catholic high school is eligible to apply. The Canfield Scholarship is $3,000.00, has been awarded each year since 1985 and was originally called the St. Paul Parish Scholarship. It was renamed in 1991 to honor the late Monsignor Canfield, who served as pastor of St. Paul Parish from 1971 to 1991 and died in 1998.

In order to be eligible, the student be a current eighth grader in any school and a member of St. Paul Parish. A complete application must include:

  • A letter from the student in his or her own words telling the committee about oneself and indicating the following:
    • Why you would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
    • What high school you will be attending.
    • If you are receiving any additional scholarships.
  • A letter of recommendation from the parent(s).
  • Two student recommendation forms from teachers. The recommendation forms are available in school office.
  • A copy of the student’s most recent report card.

The Canfield Scholarship may be renewed yearly at the student’s initiative by writing a letter to the Scholarship Committee, maintaining a 3.0 academic average and submitting a most recent report card.

Couzens Family Scholarship

 Any eighth grade member of St. Paul Parish who plans to attend a Catholic high school is eligible to apply. The Couzens Family Scholarship is $2,000 and was awarded for the first time in 1997 and is named for long-time parishioners.

In order to be eligible, the student be a current eighth grader in any school and a member of St. Paul Parish. A complete application must include:

  • A letter from the student in his or her own words telling the committee about oneself and indicating the following:
    • Why you would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
    • What high school you will be attending.
    • If you are receiving any additional scholarships.
  • A letter of recommendation from the parent(s).
  • Two student recommendation forms from teachers. The recommendation forms are available in school office.
  • A copy of the student’s most recent report card.


The Couzens Family Scholarship may be renewed yearly at the student’s initiative by writing a letter to the Scholarship Committee, maintaining a 3.0 academic average and submitting a most recent report card.

** NEW THIS YEAR – The Lewis H. Echlin III Scholarship

Any eighth grade boy, who is a member of St. Paul Parish and plans to attend University of Detroit Jesuit High School is school is eligible to apply. The Echlin Scholarship is $1,000 and will be awarded for the first time this year.  The scholarship is named after Lewis Echlin, who was an active school parent and member of the parish.  

A complete application must include:

  • A letter from the student in his or her own words telling the committee about oneself and indicating the following:
    • Why you would be a good candidate for the scholarship.
    • What high school you will be attending.
    • If you are receiving any additional scholarships.
  • A letter of recommendation from the parent(s).
  • Two student recommendation forms from teachers. The recommendation forms are available in school office.
  • A copy of the student’s most recent report card.

The Lewis H. Echlin III Scholarship may be renewed yearly at the student’s initiative by writing a letter to the Scholarship Committee, maintaining a 3.0 academic average and submitting a most recent report card.

The Donald and Gertrude McSorley Scholarship will be awarded again in 2025.

 

Deadline for all scholarship applications is March 31, 2023 and should be mailed to

 

St. Paul Scholarship Committee, 170 Grosse Pointe Blvd, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI 48236

Note: Only complete applications will be considered 

Tuition Assistance Scholarships for St. Paul School Students

Parents desiring one of the tuition assistance scholarships should write a letter of request giving details of their financial need. The principal of St. Paul School shall select the recipients based on her awareness of the family’s financial need.

Eileen Hickey King Scholarship

The King Scholarship is a tuition subsidy of $2,000 per school year for any student at St. Paul School. Any current or prospective St. Paul School family is eligible to apply for the scholarship.  The scholarship once granted shall be renewed annually so long as the recipient is a student in good standing at the school.

Arthur and Honoria Roshak Scholarships

There are two scholarships, which are tuition subsidies of $3,000 each per school year for any students at St. Paul School.  Any current or prospective St. Paul School family is eligible to apply for the scholarships.  Parents desiring a scholarship will write a letter of request giving details of financial need. The scholarship once granted shall be renewed annually so long as the recipient is a student in good standing at the school.

The Shields Family Scholarship

The Shields Family Scholarship is a tuition subsidy of $3,000 per school year for a student in grades 6, 7 or 8 at St. Paul School.  Any current or prospective St. Paul School family is eligible to apply for this scholarship.  Students applying for the Shields Family Scholarship should also play at least one sport in the parish athletic program.  Parents of incoming 6th, 7th or 8th grade students desiring this scholarship will write a letter of request giving details of financial need. The scholarship once granted shall be renewed annually so long as the recipient is a student in good standing at the school.

The FitzSimons Family Scholarship

The FitzSimons Family Scholarship is a tuition subsidy of $1,000 for an incoming or returning kindergarten or first grade student at St. Paul School. Parents who wish to be considered for this scholarship should write a letter of request giving details of financial need. The principal of St. Paul School shall select the recipient.

 

Deadline for all tuition assistance scholarship applications is March 31, 2023

Please submit all applications to the school office.

Note: Only complete applications will be considered