Catholic Schools’ Big Break - 9/18/26

Catholic education is uniquely poised to transform society for the better, and a new federal tax credit could be crucial to supporting it. Patrick Mason, CEO of the Catholic Education Fund, told Zeal News, the Education Freedom Tax Credit is one of the most important things that's ever happened for Catholic education, because it's basically a federal voucher. He said that Catholic educators are looking forward to this new pathway of funding starting January 2027. Through the Education Freedom Tax Credit, a program that was enacted in 2025 as a part of President Donald Trump's One Big Beautiful Bill.

The Education Freedom Tax Credit permits taxpayers to claim federal income tax credit up to $1,700 when they donate to an approved scholarship-granting organization. States have to opt into the program in order for students in that state to receive the scholarships. The Education Freedom Tax Credit would allow a taxpayer to donate to a scholarship-granting organization. Up to $1,700, and receive that money back, dollar for dollar, on their tax bill. Patrick Mason said, so it really doesn't cost a donor anything. At the end of the day, you give $1,700, and you get $1,700 back.

Sounds great to me. Today is also the Feast of St. Joseph of Cupertino, a humble friar, and one of the most miracle-prone saints in the Catholic Church. He was famous for levitating when in prayer. I'm Josh Mercer, editor of The Loop, taking you behind the headlines. Go to zeal.co for the rest of today's loop, and while you're at it, subscribe to get The Loop in your inbox every morning. Again, that's zeal.co.