Who We Serve: A Portrait of 2025-26 Aim Higher Scholars

Each year, the clearest expression of our mission is found not in a statistic, but in the children and families walking through the doors of Catholic schools across the Twin Cities. Still, the numbers tell a powerful story of who your generosity reaches—and why our work matters.

This fall, 2,900 children received an Aim Higher Scholarship, the largest cohort in our history. Taken together, they reflect the growing diversity, resilience, and hope of the communities we serve. 

These scholarships, even though each is worth $1,000, are not one-size-fits-all; they reach families in many different seasons of life.

Families continue to make extraordinary sacrifices to choose a Catholic education. The average Aim Higher family of four earns around $47,000 annually, and over 74% say they would not be able to access Catholic school without financial assistance. For these families, an Aim Higher scholarship helps bridge the widening gap between tuition and household income, making it possible to stay rooted in a school they love.

More than two-thirds of Aim Higher Scholars are students of color—a reminder that the opportunity created by scholarships is opening pathways for families who have historically faced the greatest barriers.

Around 75% of our scholars come from families who identify as Catholic. Some families have chosen Catholic schools for generations. Yet within classrooms, these students are thriving alongside peers from all backgrounds, united by shared values and high expectations. 

Other scholars, about 18%, are new to Catholic education altogether. They include families navigating financial hardship, unexpected job loss, or medical challenges—moments that can quickly put tuition to a quality, values-based education out of reach. For them, an Aim Higher scholarship is often the difference between stability and uncertainty, between staying and leaving.

Across all these experiences, one thing remains constant: the impact lasts. More than 92% of returning Aim Higher scholars re-enroll at Catholic schools each year, a powerful sign that families are finding what they hoped for—safe environments, strong academics, and faith-filled communities where children are known and valued.

Behind every number is a child with potential, a family with hope, and a future made brighter because someone chose to help them aim higher.