No family pays more than 20% of the full cost of a Cotter education. However, local families who are unable to pay the posted tuition rate are welcome to apply for our Flexible Tuition Program, which allows families to pay a reduced tuition amount based on their individual circumstance. 

Cotter uses a system called "Facts Grant & Aid" to process applications and evaluate eligibility for Flexible Tuition. There is a $35 fee to submit an application. If, after completing the application, it is determined that a family does not qualify for the Flexible Tuition Program, the fee will be refunded. Apply for Flexible Tuition.

A 529 plan is a tax-advantaged savings plan designed to encourage saving for certain educational expenses for any student in your family. These expenses include college and tuition for elementary or secondary private schools.To learn more about starting a 529 plan speak with your financial advisor. 

The Catholic Foundation of Southern Minnesota has announced the availability of $152,300 to be awarded in tuition assistance scholarships for the 2021-2022 school year. These scholarships come from a $2 million endowment established several years ago during the Seeds of Faith capital campaign. The endowment provides tuition assistance in the form of scholarship to parents who seek a Catholic education for their children and who demonstrate a financial need. This endowment will also respond to a special need to provide tuition funding for the newly arrived immigrants in our diocese. Please remember that these scholarships are need based and are available only to families who are not able to enroll their students in Catholic schools because of limited income and work opportunities. This is not an academic scholarship fund. 

An application must be completed by parents and submitted to your pastor. Please note Section B and Section E must be completed by your pastor. After completing these sections your pastor will submit your application to the Diocese of Winona Pastoral Center. Please submit your application to your pastor by May 14. Final submission deadline to the Diocese of Winona is June 1. Recipients will be notified in July with the money being sent directly to the school account. The scholarship cannot be used to pay overdue tuition. Application forms are available in the Cotter main office or in the finance office. 

Scrip is a way for you to make money as you spend it!  It is one of the easiest fundraisers the school has in place. The WACS Business Office purchases gift certificates (Scrip) from local merchants and also from a business called GLS at a discount. They sell these certificates at full face value to you. The profit that is made when they sell the certificates is turned around and given back to the school, the families in WACS, Cotter, or a parish of your choice. Parents receive 40% of the profit and WACS receives 60%. You receive the credit on your Cotter or WACS tuition, child care or hot lunch account. You can also chose to donate the credit to a friend or family member's account, the school or a parish. More information on the Scrip program and how to place your order can be found here.