1. The Didde-Helmsing Educational Fund is established on this date of June 22, 2006 to assist in the catechesis and formation of the faithful of the Diocese that they may grow in holiness before God and, with the help of His grace, fulfill their vocation as leaven in the world.  

2. Since the Bishop Helmsing Institute was established for catechesis and spiritual formation, these funds are set aside specifically for students of the Bishop Helmsing Institute, whether enrolled in the full three year curriculum or enrolled in individual courses.  It is also available to students in the Masters program through the Institute for Pastoral Theology, provided these students have applied for help from the Institute for Pastoral Theology (IPT) of Ave Maria University first.  

3. These monies are open to anyone in the Diocese of Kansas City~ St. Joseph who wishes to receive instruction from the Bishop Helmsing Institute or to enroll in the Masters program through the Institute for Pastoral Theology. Students from the Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas who enroll in graduate level courses offered by Ave Maria University also are eligible to apply for tuition assistance.  Tuition assistance grants will also be available to schools and parishes that need assistance in sending their teachers and catechists to Bishop Helmsing Institute courses for catechetical certification.  

4. Students enrolling in the Masters program through the Institute for Pastoral Theology must attempt to receive funds, first, from Ave Maria University itself and, second, from the Bishop Sullivan Ministry Scholarship Fund prior to applying for funds from the Didde-Helmsing Educational Fund. 

If Ave Maria University and the Bishop Sullivan Ministry Scholarship Fund do not grant scholarships of sufficient amount, an IPT student may be considered for tuition assistance from the Didde-Helmsing Educational Fund.  However, the maximum amount an IPT student may be awarded from both the Bishop Sullivan fund and the Didde-Helmsing fund combined is $1000 every twelve months.

5. Applications may be submitted to the Governing Board of the Fund twice annually.  Deadlines for tuition assistance applications are: September 1st, and December 1st.  Applications should include three components:

(1) Completed Application Form

(2) Letter of Intent

(3) Letter of Recommendation.

 6. Individuals may receive two grants per year to meet tuition costs for up to two semesters at the Bishop Helmsing Institute or up to $800.00 for the Ave Maria graduate program per year.  Tuition Assistance funds can be taken from the principal or corpus of the fund during the first five years of the fund’s opening in 2006. After that time it is anticipated that assistance will be drawn only from interest to the fund or targeted donations.  Funds may not be applied to retreat or workshop fees or the cost of textbooks except in true hardship cases approved by the Board.  

7. The Catholic Diocese of Kansas City - St. Joseph shall establish a Governing Board for the fund. The Board is to be chaired by the Director of the Bishop Helmsing Institute (BHI) and will consist of one member from the Bishop Helmsing Institute, the Director of the Media Center and Library, and two parish representatives. In the absence of the Director, BHI the Vice Chancellor will designate an acting chairman.  

Claude R. Sasso, Ph.D.                                                              
Vice Chancellor
Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph