Affording GRACE

GRACE Christian School has limited Tuition Assistance Funds available on a need basis.

 

GRACE uses the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management online application for processing requests for Tuition Assistance. Families interested in Tuition Assistance at GRACE Christian School are strongly encouraged to apply. 

A non-refundable fee of $45 per family will be required for processing the financial information and applications (payable to Blackbaud).  If you are a business owner, the fee will increase slightly because your application needs a more in-depth analysis.

* The First Consideration deadline for Tuition Assistance each school year will be March 1st of the preceding year (and GRACE will strive to notify families in writing no later than the end of May). 
* After the First Consideration deadline, additional applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis. However, it is anticipated that the bulk of tuition assistance resources will be committed to families whose applications are completed and submitted as of the First Consideration deadline.
* The Tuition Assistance Committee alone will make the decision of whether or not to grant Tuition Assistance and the amount of assistance does not exceed 50% of tuition. 
* The Committee, Administrators and the business office staff will make every effort to protect and respect family privacy and the confidential nature of their work.
* Any Tuition Assistance awarded must be used solely for tuition reduction. Families are still financially responsible for all other school fees (athletic, lunch, LEAP, field trips, After Care, etc.)
* Tuition Assistance decisions shall be based upon financial need as demonstrated by total family income, family assets, the total amount of tuition due, account history, number of dependents, and any unusual financial factors. 
* In addition, other non-financial criteria considered include the student’s academic record, attendance record, discipline record, years at GRACE, any unique family circumstances or contributions, and space availability.
* In cases where the applicant is from a divorced family, the income and assets of both parents will be reviewed and considered by Blackbaud and the Committee if parents have joint custody. If the custodial parent has remarried, the income and assets of the stepparent will also be reviewed and considered.
* Athletic capabilities are never considered in the awarding of tuition assistance.
* Tuition Assistance applications will only be processed from families who have completed the regular enrollment process and paid the appropriate fees. 
* Any school balances owed by the applicant must be paid in full in order for a Tuition Assistance application to be considered.

Supporting documentation for application for Tuition Assistance includes:

* Copies of the most recent IRS Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ and all supporting tax schedules. 
* Families must also submit all W-2 forms. 
* Without exception, all required documentation must be submitted for an application to be considered complete and ready for review.

 

Once Tuition Assistance is granted, such assistance continues only as long as the family receiving Tuition Assistance remains current with its monthly payments.

 

Continuing good behavior by the student both in and out of school is required (based upon the Parent/Student Handbook guidelines), or the remainder of the Tuition Assistance award may be withdrawn upon written notice by the Tuition Assistance Committee.

* Students are required to maintain a minimum 2.0 GPA average (with no F’s) and to maintain reasonably good attendance records for the continuation of the Tuition Assistance from one semester to the next.
* If a student withdraws from school during the year, or is expelled, all unused portions of Tuition Assistance shall be retained by GRACE Christian School.

 

Although Tuition Assistance is granted for a school year, the continuation of assistance may be reviewed by the Tuition Assistance Committee at its discretion each semester.

* Parents are expected to pay more toward their children’s tuition if their financial situation significantly improves during the year so that additional applicants may be considered, and agree to timely notify the Tuition Assistance Committee if financial improvement is made during the school year.

Tuition Assistance is not automatically renewable for a new school year. Families must reapply for Annual Tuition Assistance for each school year. GRACE offers no promise of continued Tuition Assistance for future years.

 

Once awarded Tuition Assistance, families are not required to make the Enrollment Confirmation/Tuition Deposit for future years while receiving assistance. 

 

For further Blackbaud Financial Aid specific questions: Blackbaud Financial Aid Management