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Tuition Assistance

Tuition Assistance

LESA Tuition Assistance

⚠️ Important Update

Funding for the 2025–2026 school year has been exhausted.
Please contact the LESA office before applying:
📞 314-200-0790 | ✉️ mgersman@lesastl.org


About LESA’s Tuition Assistance Program

LESA offers need-based tuition assistance to families with children in Lutheran K–8 schools in the St. Louis metro area. Since 2004, LESA has awarded more than $8.2 million in financial aid to over 4,600 students.


Who Is Eligible?

To qualify, families must:

  • Spend at least 10% of their 2024 income (including taxable and non-taxable) on K–8 Lutheran school net tuition

  • Have children enrolled in a LESA member Lutheran school

  • Apply annually — awards are not guaranteed and are based on demonstrated financial need

💡 Families who meet 100% Free & Reduced Lunch guidelines often qualify.
📌 Families spending less than 10% may be considered if extenuating circumstances exist.


How Is LESA Tuition Assistance Funded?

Tuition assistance funds are made possible by the generosity of:

  • Individual donors

  • Foundation grants

  • Endowments
  • LESA’s fundraising events

This support helps make Christian education affordable for hundreds of families each year.


MO Scholars Disclosure (Missouri Residents)

If LESA tuition assistance applicants also apply for a MO Scholars state-funded scholarship through:

  • The Missouri District LCMS

  • Today & Tomorrow Educational Foundation

  • The Herzog Foundation

➡️ The LESA scholarship award will be pending and may be adjusted or canceled based on the MO Scholars award amount.

Once a student receives MO Scholars financial aid:

  1. The school will notify LESA

  2. LESA will re-evaluate the family’s financial need based on the new net tuition (tuition minus all financial aid)

  3. If the net tuition falls below 10% of your total income, the LESA scholarship award will be returned in accordance with LESA’s award guidelines


Questions?

We’re here to help!
📞 314-200-0790
✉️ mgersman@lesastl.org

The Impact of Your Generosity

LESA Auction 2025

Loftus Trust Scholarship

The Loftus Trust Scholarship Program, through the Missouri District, is committed to helping families provide a Christ-centered education for their children attending K-8th grade at Lutheran schools throughout Missouri. This program is designed to assist families with the cost of tuition.

Who is eligible?

  • Children in Kindergarten – 8th grade 
  • Children enrolled in a Lutheran School in Missouri

Qualification Criteria

To be considered for this scholarship, families must meet the following requirement:

  • The net tuition cost (after other financial aid is applied) must be 10% or more of the family’s total income from the most recent tax year.
  • Students must be enrolled at a Lutheran school by May 1
  • Application must be submitted by April 10
  • Application must be complete/verified in FACTS by April 30. (all documents must be submitted by April 10 to allow FACTS time to review)

Important Note

The Loftus Trust Scholarship Program is not the same as the MO Scholars Program (via Missouri District). While both programs use the same FACTS application and aim to support students and families with need-based tuition assistance, they are administered separately and have different eligibility requirements.

Questions?

Contact:

Maureen Gersman, email or call the LESA office 314-200-0790

Director of Scholarships & Operations

Lutheran Elementary School Association (LESA)

How To Apply

Application Procedure for 2025/2026 LESA and Loftus Trust tuition-assistance programs
  1. Submit an online application 
  2. Pay application fee
  3. Upload documents
    • Entire Federal 1040 Tax Return (including Schedules 1-5, C, K, E, etc. if applicable)
    • W2s
    • Non-taxable docs (SNAP, TANF, Child Support, Social Security, Housing, etc.)

Students must be enrolled by April 30 in K -8th grade at a Lutheran elementary school in order for the application to be reviewed in May

What to expect when completing the application?  Watch a FACTS Video

Tips on Uploading Documents to the LESA Application

Need Help?

  • Call the LESA Office at 314-200-0790

  • Email: mgersman@lesastl.org

  • Call the FACTS Parent Help Line at 1-866-315-9262

Tuition Assistance Application Deadline – April 10 • Application complete/verified – April 30

Deadlines & Submissions

Scholarship Application Deadline – April 10 • Application complete/verified – April 30

All documents must be submitted by April 10 in order for FACTS representatives to review them and mark your application as complete by April 30

1. All applications will be submitted ONLINE through FACTS

2. To submit an application, each applicant family is required to pay a $40 fee. If parents of the student(s) are divorced, each household must submit an application.

3. Once your online application has been submitted, remember to immediately submit required income documentation to FACTS (most recent W-2’s and federal income tax form, as well as any other information the FACTS auditors request to confirm information submitted on the application) , following the instructions on the application screen. Income documents may be uploaded to your application using a scanner or mobile device.

4. Only applications submitted online by April 10 and are verified as “complete” by FACTS by April 30th will be considered for an award during the May 2025 award committee meeting.

5. If you have questions, please email Maureen Gersman or call 314-200-0790.

6. FACTS service representatives are available to answer questions on the FACTS online application or required documentation.  They may be reached at 866-315-9262 Monday – Thursday from 7:30 AM to 7:00 PM or Friday from 7:30 AM to 5:00 PM.

7. Upon completion of application review and award determinations by the scholarship awards committees, school administrators and families will be notified of LESA and Loftus Trust Scholarship award decisions by May 31 directly by the LESA office.

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