Dear Parents of Students in the Graduating Classes of 2027 and 2028,

The Diocese of Lincoln is pleased to once again offer the Work Ethic Grant Program for students entering their junior or senior year in Fall 2026 at diocesan high schools. We are grateful to Tom and Rhonda Peed for their generosity in making this opportunity possible.

This program is designed not only to assist families financially but also to encourage responsibility, diligence, and the dignity of work in our students.

Students can earn a matching tuition grant of up to $1,000 based on hours worked during the summer. Students will receive $5.00 per hour worked, up to a maximum of 200 hours.

Eligible work may include:

• Traditional employment

• Family farm work

• Self-employment, such as mowing lawns, babysitting, or similar work

• Other forms of responsible labor where a paycheck may not be issued

Eligible hours must be worked between May 1, 2026, and August 15, 2026.

Grant funds will be applied directly to tuition. If tuition has already been paid, families will receive a reimbursement.

To participate, students must track their hours using the official diocesan time card. Time cards should include:

• Date of work

• Hours worked

• Brief description of duties performed

• Total hours worked tallied on the sheets (single-sided, please)

Students and parents will both need to complete and sign the application form. Families are expected to honestly report all hours worked.

Once completed, students should submit their time cards directly to the Development Office. Please do not drop them off at the front desk or give them to any other faculty member. (Entries have been lost in the past, and this requirement is to avoid any human error.)

We will then compile total hours and grant requests before submitting them to the Diocesan Education Office. The Diocese will report the total number of participating students, total hours worked, and total grant dollars awarded to the donor. Student names will not be shared to protect privacy. Funds for Tuition usually take 8-10 weeks to get back to Bishop Neumann after the application period.

This is a wonderful opportunity for students to help offset tuition costs while learning the value of hard work and responsibility.

Thank you, 

Ryan Mascarello

Development Director

Click here for Application Form

Click here for Time Sheet