Financial Assistance Policy​

Grace Christian Academy desires to work with each family, understand their individual financial circumstances, and partner with them to make Christian education a reality for their children. Grace offers financial aid based entirely on need. Funds are distributed according to the degree of need demonstrated by each family. The school has limited resources for financial assistance. Therefore, we recommend that families apply for assistance as early as possible.
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Financial assistance is available to all students at Grace. Eligibility is evaluated by FACTS, a third-party source, and reviewed by an internal financial aid committee. ​Grace works with an independent third party to process all tuition assistance requests and verify financial information. Your full and accurate disclosure at the start of the process helps avoid follow-up questions or research that may delay a decision on behalf of your student. Both your application and your award, if granted, are kept confidential.

​Financial assistance offers are based upon the following three principles:

1. Our desire to meaningfully support families, as defined by demonstrated financial need.
2. Our commitment to deal equitably with families needing assistance.
3. Our responsibility to not overextend the school’s fixed budgetary capacity for financial assistance.

Before Applying

Students must have submitted a student application before the financial assistance application will be reviewed. These are two separate processes. If possible, we encourage families to first seek financial support from their church, family members, or other connections before pursuing financial assistance from Grace.

​Financial Assistance Process
- A new financial assistance application must be submitted each year. As the cost of education increases annually, we ask families currently receiving assistance to increase their tuition responsibility each year.
- The FACTS Financial Assistance Application and most recent tax return information will be required.  
- If necessary, parents will be contacted by the Business Manager, to review and or supplement applications.
- Each family is expected to pay at least 70% of each student’s tuition. Most students receiving financial assistance receive between 10% – 30% per year.  Families are required to pay any other school fees, i.e. registration, athletic, etc.
- If a family decides not to attend Grace because the financial assistance offer does not meet their need, the student registration fee will be refunded.  This refund would not include the family’s financial aid processing fee to FACTS.

Financial Assistance Additional Requirements

1. Students for which tuition assistance has been awarded are required to be in good standing academically (2.5 GPA or above) and behaviorally as well as maintain a minimum of 95% attendance.
2. Each family receiving assistance is asked to give 40 hours of service to the school. There are opportunities to complete these hours throughout the year.  The two major areas of service are the annual dinner auction and our athletic department.  The Business Manager will coordinate and monitor these hours.
3. GCA also requires every family to submit a situational letter. Parents will submit a letter explaining the situation that causes them to apply for financial aid, including specific hardships and financial difficulties (loss of income, loss of job, unexpected financial hardships, or sudden medical expenses).
   

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Financial Aid Committee

1. All applications will be reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee.
2. The Financial Aid Committee consists of three members, the Principal, the Business Manager and the Chair of the Finance Committee.
3. The committee will be chaired by the Finance Committee Chair and be answerable to the School Board.

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Financial Aid Committee Guidelines

1. No requests for financial assistance shall be entertained by persons other than the Financial Aid Committee.
2. Parents must demonstrate an understanding and desire for Christian education.
3. Eligibility for financial aid shall be determined by genuine and demonstrated need.
4. Any school balances from a prior year must be paid in order for a new application to be considered.
5. Once financial aid is granted, it is only continued if the family keeps up to date with monthly payments.
6. Financial aid is not automatically renewable for a new school year.  Families must reapply for aid every school year.

​Ready to Get Started?

APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE

​This will direct you to our FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment Application