Applications for students who will be attending St. Joseph School (as well as high school
applications) for the 2015 - 2016 school year are now available www.psas.org/blocs.
Decisions on scholarships and awarding of amounts will take place after May 15th.
First Step
Review the list of documents that you will need to submit to PSAS. These documents include the
following:
 You and your spouse's (if applicable) social security numbers.
 A complete copy of your 2014 federal 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ form, including all schedules and
worksheets and copies of all 2014 W2 and/or 1099 forms for all adults living in the household.
 Your Social Services Year End Statement (AFDC, ADC, TANF) and/or Food Stamp Year End
Statement and/or your Social Security Year End Benefits Statement(s) for ALL adults living in the
household receiving benefits in 2014.
 Information about child support payments or child support received.
 Information about the value and amount still owed on your home.
 Information about the value and amount still owed on any real estate investments.
 Information about the value of any savings or investment accounts.
Special Needs Families
If your student is a Special Needs Student or attends a Special Education School, this form must be
printed, completed, and signed by the parent and by the administrator at the school. This should be
done prior to completing the application. The form must be uploaded when you complete and submit
the application.
Income Guidelines
Awards from BLOCS are provided through the Pennsylvania EITC and OSTC programs which carry the
following income guidelines for eligibility:
Household Size
Maximum Income
1
$91,620
2
$106,890
3
$122,160
4
$137,430
5
$152,700
Add $15,270 for each additional dependent
Income guidelines are for EITC and
OSTC funding only. Income Guidelines
for other funding sources are
unavailable.
Please Note: Qualifying for funding
does not guarantee funding. Funding
is distributed based upon the
availability of funds.
Second Step
Complete the application.
As you progress through the application, if you have questions, simply click on the icon beside the
question for a more detailed description of what is required. Do not leave any question blank. If a
question does not apply to you, enter 0 or a similar answer.
Third Step
Verify the information that you entered
As you progress through the application, please review each page before moving on to the next.
Fourth Step
Submit the $28 fee for processing your application. Payments via VISA, Master Card, American Express,
Discover, or Electronic Bank Check (ACH) are accepted. All payment transactions are protected through
the use of a secure server.
Final Step
Submit your application to PSAS for review by our staff.
You must then submit the following required documentation via upload, fax or mail to complete the
application process:
1. A complete photocopy of your signed 2014 federal 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ form, including all
schedules and worksheets and copies of all 2014 W2 and/or 1099 forms for ALL adults living in
the household.
2. Photocopies of your Social Services Year End Statement (AFDC, ADC, TANF) and/or photocopies
of your Food Stamps Year End Statement and/or photocopies of your Social Security Year End
Benefits Statement(s) for ALL adults living in the household receiving benefits in 2014
Submitting Your Documents
You can submit your documents in 1 of 3 ways:
1. Upload to PSAS - You can upload your documents by logging back into your account here
2. Fax to PSAS - You can fax your documents to PSAS at (440) 892-8137 or (440) 892-7727
3. Mail to PSAS - You can mail your documents to PSAS at
Private School Aid Service
Online Application Department
909 Canterbury Road Suite P
Westlake, OH 44145
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT BLOCS
When and How Can I apply for a BLOCS scholarship for my child?
- Applications are accepted in the fall or spring for the next school year (Applications for the 2015 / 2016
school year are now available). Applications are online at www.psas.org/blocs
What will I need to complete the application process?
- You will need your most recent tax return and when available, you will need to submit documents
related to your current year’s income in January (W2. K1, etc…).
What are the qualifications to receive a BLOCS scholarship?
- Families with one dependent must have an annual income of less than $90,000. For each additional
dependent, you can make an additional $15,000 per child.
I have not decided which school my child will attend. Can I apply for a BLOCS Scholarship and then
decide where to apply it if I am awarded aid?
- Students MUST be registered before a decision on financial aid can be made. It is best to register your
child for any schools that you are seriously considering. When Applying, you can choose multiple schools
when asked what school your child is attending. It is recommended that you only choose
three possible schools when applying.
If I am applying for a BLOCS Scholarship, why must I apply through PSAS?
- The Commonwealth of PA requires that a third party qualify families for eligibility for need based
scholarships. PSAS is who BLOCS uses for this qualification process.
How can I check the status of an application for a BLOCS scholarship?
- Once you apply at www.psas.org/blocs, you will create an account. The status of your application can
be checked by logging into your account. Decisions on aid will come from your school. Any questions
about awards, amounts, and decisions on aid should be directed to your child’s school.
I have children at different schools. Do I need to do an application for each of them?
- No, one application can be completed for your family.
Who can I call if I have questions about the application process?
- Questions about the application process should be directed to PSAS. They can be reached at
(866)424-6443 or by emailing [email protected]
How are BLOCS scholarship awarded?
- Once you have filled out your application, PSAS will decide if your family qualifies for need based
scholarships. The list of qualified students is then sent to each school. The school then decides who will
receive a BLOCS scholarship.
How much money does my child’s school have to offer in BLOCS scholarships?
- For the 2014 / 2015 school year, schools received $10,200,000 in scholarships. BLOCS funding comes
from the generosity of our donors as well as local businesses who participate in the Pennsylvania EITC
and OSTC Tax Credit Programs. When a business or person makes a donation to BLOCS, they have the
option to “designate” that money to a particular school. Because of this, scholarship dollar amounts
differ from school to school.
Why did I not receive a BLOCS scholarship even though I qualified?
- Because each school has a limited amount of funds available for scholarships, some schools are not
able to offer aid to every qualified student.
If I receive a BLOCS Scholarship, when will my tuition statement be credited?
- Schools use individual timelines on crediting a student’s account. For specific questions, please contact
your student’s school.
If my child changes schools, can I take a BLOCS scholarship with me to the new school?
- BLOCS Scholarships are specific to each school and therefore cannot be transferred if you decide to
move your child.
I started my application, but the school said that it is not listed with their applicants.
- The application MUST be completed in order for the schools to see your information. Parents should
check their online application to make sure that it is marked “submitted”. PSAS will not contact you
about unfinished applications.