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Financial Aid Policy Effective 2016-2017
Terra Ceia Christian School believes that Christian education should be accessible to Christian families who are in agreement with the Christian education philosophy and mission of TCCS. While recognizing that the primary responsibility for financing their children’s educational costs rests with parents, TCCS recognizes that not all families can afford the full cost of private school tuition. As such, TCCS may offer financial aid to families with demonstrated financial need, if financial aid funds are available. The purpose of providing financial aid is to provide assistance to Christian parents who cannot afford the cost of attending Terra Ceia Christian School, but have a strong desire for their children to attend.
Terra Ceia Christian School emphasizes the following “Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid” as articulated by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) in the administration of financial aid:
1. The school determines eligibility for admission without regard to a student's application for financial aid.
2. The school commits to providing financial aid dollars to applicants who demonstrate that their family resources are insufficient to meet all or part of the total educational costs.
3. The school continues to provide support to students as long as financial need is demonstrated.
4. The school enacts documented procedures that ensure a fair, consistent, and equitable assessment of each family's ability to contribute toward educational expenses.
5. The school safeguards the confidentiality of financial aid applications, records, and decisions.
Terra Ceia Christian School awards need-based financial aid on the basis of demonstrated and documented need. Terra Ceia Christian School will utilize the services of FACTS, an independent third-party company, to obtain a financial aid need analysis. The analysis will include a recommendation of the amount a family can reasonably be expected to contribute toward tuition. Based on the recommendation, Terra Ceia Christian School’s Board of Directors or its appointee may determine the financial aid award. Please note that there is no guarantee of financial aid being awarded. The maximum award that can be provided is limited to 50% of tuition, unless there are extenuating circumstances, which are evaluated on a year-to-year basis Families can expect to continue to receive aid in subsequent years, provided they continue to demonstrate financial need and funds are available.
Please note that an enrollment fee of $200is required for each and every family and the enrollment fee is not included in financial aid that may be awarded.
Terra Ceia Christian School requires families to follow financial aid deadlines to enable financial aid decisions to be made on a fair and equitable basis. April 1st is the preferred deadline. Applications may still be reviewed after the determined submission date, but funds may not be available.
All financial aid awarded by Terra Ceia Christian School is need based. Terra Ceia Christian School does not grant merit or athletic scholarships.
NORTH CAROLINA OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIPS
North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships are administered by the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority. The NCSEAA establishes their own criteria for awarding Opportunity Scholarships. Terra Ceia Christian School is not involved in determining who receives Opportunity Scholarships. However, please note that North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships will be accepted as partial payment for tuition at Terra Ceia Christian School. Parents will also be required to pay any the difference between the scholarship funding and the actual cost of tuition plus an enrollment fee of $200 per family. Please note that families electing to transport their children using Terra Ceia Christian School’s bus service, will be required to pay the additional bus fees. Bus fees are not covered by North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships.
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