FINANCIAL AID GUIDELINES
Approximately 50 percent of the school’s annual operating expenses are covered by government grants; tuition makes up the balance of the cost of educating a child. The school budgets funds to assist families experiencing temporary financial challenges. In some instances, the school will allocate funds towards supporting families for whom paying full tuition is beyond their financial means.
Eligibility
• Financial aid is typically available only to current families who have attended the school for at least one year.
• Financial assistance must be applied for each year; there is no continuity from one year to the next.
Application Process
To allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we enlist the help of Independent School Management's FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) program. FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give. Rather FAST provides an independent need-based financial aid analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should be able to reasonably contribute toward tuition. Applications and supporting tax documents are submitted directly to FAST. A fee is charged by FAST to process applications. All information from FAST is kept strictly confidential. Results are reviewed by the school’s Business Office and a small Financial Aid Committee which makes recommendations based on the annual Financial Assistance Fund budget.
Considerations
The availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall budgetary constraints influence financial assistance decisions. In an effort to make the process fair to all, Kelowna Christian School considers the following when making decisions regarding financial aid:
• Both parents are expected to contribute to tuition. If a parent chooses not to work, Kelowna Christian School imputes an annual income for a non-working parent.
• The intention is that all families contribute at least a portion of tuition. Financial assistance may be provided to assist in a time of challenge.
• In the case of divorce or separation, Kelowna Christian School requires both parents to file an application for financial assistance, as KCS considers the financial resources of both households when determining eligibility for aid. Aid will generally not be granted when the combined financial capacity of both parents is sufficient to meet tuition costs, even if one parent chooses not to contribute.
• Independent Christian education is an investment. Kelowna Christian School believes a family ought to invest in their child's education before other elective expenditures.
• In the case of divorce or separation, Kelowna Christian School requires both parents to file an application for financial assistance, as KCS considers the financial resources of both households when determining eligibility for aid. Aid will generally not be granted when the combined financial capacity of both parents is sufficient to meet tuition costs, even if one parent chooses not to contribute.
• Independent Christian education is an investment. Kelowna Christian School believes a family ought to invest in their child's education before other elective expenditures.
Financial Aid Procedures
FOR PARENTS:
1. Parents are asked to access the FAST Program website specifically for Kelowna Christian School applicants. Applications will open the first week of March exclusively for families who have already been accepted for the upcoming school year, as well as for current KCS families. 2. Once there, click the Start Application button in the middle of the first page. All your financial information should be entered directly through the secure server. Space is also provided to fill out additional information that may be pertinent to your application. In addition, a copy of your most recent tax return and other supporting documents must be uploaded directly to FAST. As FAST decisions require current data, this information should be submitted in March or April when the most current tax return has been filed. 3. A non-refundable fee of approximately $65.00 US dollars is charged by FAST to process your online application (via online credit card payment). Once completed, the application will be available immediately for review by our school’s Business Office. A FAST representative or the school’s Business Office will contact you if additional information is needed. 4. Should you require assistance with your application, please contact FAST Customer Service at:
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