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Igniting Minds. Infusing Faith

Variable Tuition

Think you can’t afford private Christian education?  Think again. Sarasota Christian School proudly offers Variable Tuition. Tuition at SCS is not a “one-size-fits all.” It’s a range. A range that spans from 40-90% of the full cost of education. Variable Tuition adjusts tuition rates to meet your family’s unique financial position. No family at Sarasota Christian School pays the full cost of education.

Sarasota Christian School seeks to make the cost of Christian education accessible without compromising quality education.  Tuition includes curriculum materials, textbooks, workbooks, access to technology (including mobile iPad labs, e-textbooks and online applications), athletic participation for students in grades 6-12, day field trips, and an annual yearbook.

Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth grade student will be considered for Variable Tuition. Factors that impact a family’s tuition rate include financial need, size of family/number of students enrolled at SCS, corporate church membership, alumni status, and other factors.

Regardless of financial need, parents should initiate the admission process as early as possible.  Families will have their Variable Tuition amount finalized only after they have applied for admission to the school.  Families in need of consideration based on financial need should submit an application through FACTS Management Company and will have their Variable Tuition amount determined once their application has been processed.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Variable Tuition?

Variable Tuition is a way for Sarasota Christian School to help families understand the true cost of enrolling at SCS. No family at SCS pays the full cost of education; 10% of the cost associated with educating our children comes from external efforts, including fundraising, and more than 75% of our families receive some form of financial assistance, tuition discount, or assistance from state funding sources.

Variable Tuition will allow families to apply for and receive a tuition amount that is right for their family’s financial situation. It incorporates the factors that can affect a family’s tuition responsibility, such as household income, number of students enrolled, corporate church membership, alumni status, and other factors. Thus, Variable Tuition helps make an SCS education accessible to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.

How does Variable Tuition work?

Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth grade student will be considered for Variable Tuition. Factors that impact a family’s tuition rate include financial need, size of family/number of students enrolled at SCS, alumni status, corporate church membership, and other factors.

Regardless of financial need, parents should initiate the admission process as early as possible. Families will have their Variable Tuition amount finalized only after they have applied for admission to the school.

What do current SCS families need to do?

If you are a current SCS family and have previously received a tuition grant from SCS, you will simply need to complete the FACTS application as you have done previously. Other factors that affect your Variable Tuition rate have already been verified by the Admissions Office upon your acceptance to SCS. If you have a change in any factor, such as if you are enrolling an additional student, please contact the Admissions Office to have your new Variable Tuition rate verified.

Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year?

If you are applying for Variable Tuition based on your family’s financial need, you will need to submit a FACTS tuition grant application online every year.

Should every current/returning SCS family submit a FACTS tuition grant application?

No. Only families who feel they may not able to pay the full amount of the Variable Tuition range should submit an application through FACTS.

What is the cost to apply for Variable Tuition?

If your family would like to be considered for Variable Tuition based on financial need, there is a cost of $30 to apply for a tuition grant through FACTS, our confidential third-party vendor. However, other factors, such as multiple student discount, are automatically considered for every student without any additional cost.

Are some families awarded full tuition?

No.  SCS does not award financial need-based tuition grants that cover the full amount of tuition.  Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in the investment of your child’s education with you.

How do I calculate my Variable Tuition rate?

It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition rate for which a family qualifies without completing an SCS application for enrollment. To be considered for Variable Tuition based on financial need, families must complete an application with FACTS, a third-party agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by independent third party standards and makes a recommendation to the school’s Variable Tuition team. Families are notified of the tuition rate for which they qualify from the school’s Business Office.

What if I qualify for a Step Up Scholarship or have another funding source?

Variable Tuition amounts will be determined once SCS has documentation from any additional funding sources the family may have. Families who qualify for other sources of funding, such as Step Up for Students or McKay scholarships, will need to bring in a copy of their award letter as soon as they receive it to have their Variable Tuition rate determined. Families can still apply for a financial need-based tuition grant through FACTS in addition to their Step Up for Students or McKay scholarship.

When will I receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition rate?

If your family has financial need, you will typically hear from SCS within 2 weeks of providing all required documentation to FACTS, our confidential third party service. Other factors such as the multiple student discount can typically be verified within 2 business days of a completed prospective student application being submitted to SCS.

If I do not qualify for financial need-based Variable Tuition this year, can I apply again next year?

Yes. A family who does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.

Do I need to apply for admission separately from applying for Variable Tuition?

Yes. For new students, the application to Sarasota Christian School and the application for Variable Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families may complete both application processes simultaneously.

What kind of economic situation is typical of a family who qualifies for financial need-based Variable Tuition?

A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to the full rate of Variable Tuition to those who are at the entry level of the range. Many factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.

Who should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition?

For more information about Variable Tuition, please contact Director of Admissions, Elizabeth DiMartino at admissions@SarasotaChristian.org, or (941) 371-6481.

 

Fees

 

Application Fee

A one-time, non-refundable application fee of $100 per student ($200 maximum per family) is to accompany the completed application for each new student. This fee covers the cost of evaluating, interviewing and processing the application. In some situations an additional testing fee may be required.

Enrollment Fee

An annual $250 non-refundable enrollment fee per student is due with the continuous enrollment agreement in order to secure a space for your child for the upcoming school year.  Current students re-enrolled by January 31, 2018 receive a discounted enrollment fee of $100 per student.

Field Trip Fees

Field trips are a central part of the educational experience at Sarasota Christian School.  Tuition rates include the cost of all educational day-trips.  No separate fee will be charged for day trips.  Overnight field trips will carry additional fees which will vary by trip.  The fifth grade Marine Lab trip is projected to cost approximately $425, and Middle School trips to places such as St. Augustine and Miami will likely range from $200 to $350 per grade.  A High School Retreat fee of $150 and a Senior Trip fee of $325 will be billed separately.

Additional Fees

Advanced Placement and Dual Enrollment courses have a $50 curriculum fee per class and Southeastern Dual Enrollment courses incur an additional $25 fee per course.  All fees such as tardies, after care, lost books, etc will be transferred to the FACTS account.  There is a $5.00 monthly late fee on all past due account balances, and a $30.00 NSF fee for returned checks.  Payments in full not received or FACTS accounts not set up by April 30, 2018 may result in the student being un-enrolled and the loss of their space in the class.  In the event the student(s) is un-enrolled, they may re-enroll based on space availability but may be subject to a $200 re-instatement fee per student.

The school also offers the convenience of payment by credit card.  A 2.85% credit card fee will be added to any tuition and fees paid by credit card.  Payments in full may be made directly to the school.  All other installment payments require enrollment in the FACTS online payment processing (see Tuition Payment Plan Options below for more information).

Technology Program

SCS has portable iPad and laptop labs for elementary students and is a “bring your own device” school for grades 6 through 12 in which students are required to bring a device on a daily basis.   A 1:1 environment allows us to enhance our curriculum by utilizing digital textbooks, learning management systems, web-based and cloud-based applications, global collaboration and more.  Your tuition includes technology infrastructure, bandwidth, secure online access, tech staff support, and elementary iPad/laptop lab access.

Other Funding Sources

Families who qualify for other sources of funding, such as Step Up for Students or McKay (state funding), will need to bring in a copy of their award letter as soon as they receive it to have the amount applied to their tuition account.

Tuition Payment Plan Options

Sarasota Christian School has contracted with FACTS Management Company to process payments for all tuition and fees.  FACTS accepts payments by automatic bank withdrawal (interest-free) or credit card (additional 2.85% credit card fee will apply).
Options for tuition payment through FACTS are:

  • Payment-in-full by April 30, 2018 with no FACTS setup fee.
  • Semi-annual payment plan with no FACTS setup fee.
  • Quarterly payment plan with an annual $50 FACTS setup fee.
  • Monthly payment plan with an annual $50 FACTS setup fee running from June through May.

Family Service Hours

Each family is required to serve 10 volunteer hours per year.  A $200 service hour fee is included in tuition and will be credited back in May upon confirmation of volunteer hours served.  SCS prefers families to volunteer in our school community instead of paying the fee.  All families are also expected to help at the annual auction the third weekend in February.

After Care Program

On-campus, after-school care is available for Pre-Kindergarten through eighth grade students until 6:00 p.m.  Elementary and middle school students who are not picked up within 15 minutes after dismissal will be taken to After Care and a fee will be charged for their supervision at a rate of $5 per 15 minutes ($15 per day max).  Refer to the After Care Enrollment Form for additional details and plan options.

Learning Support Program

The Learning Support Program is designed to aid K-12 students who need additional academic support in the learning environment.  Please refer to the Learning Support Program Enrollment Form for more details.