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Financial Aid
Investing in Your Child's Future
Educational Costs and Financial Aid
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
Should our family apply?
Each family's set of financial circumstances is unique. The most helpful guideline comes from your own knowledge of your family's finances. A good rule of thumb is: if in doubt, apply. So many factors are considered that there is no workable "filter" for determining in advance who might receive financial aid.
Which costs are covered?
Only K-12 tuition and building fees are considered. At least one child must be enrolled full time for a family to be eligible. Separate scholarships are available for specific activities such as mission trips, performance group tours, athletics and drama.
What is the basis for financial aid?
All financial aid is awarded on the basis of a family's ability to pay.
How much financial aid is available?
The total amount varies from year to year because the financial aid program is financed by donations and sponsorships. The number of eligible families also changes. Therefore it is not possible to estimate what portion of a particular family's expenses might be met by financial aid. The important thing is to apply.
Who decides my ability to pay?
Parents submit a financial report to School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Pittsburgh, PA, an organization serving the financial aid departments of many private schools, including BCS. SSS applies a standardized method of evaluation that considers income, assets, extraordinary expenses, and some forms of indebtedness. These are factored in with family size, the number of children attending tuition-charging schools, and the years remaining to retirement for parents, to determine the family's discretionary income.
About two weeks after receiving the parents' statement, SSS sends a Report of Family Contribution to the school. This report suggests the amount the family should be able to contribute to the child’s education. In general, the higher the discretionary income, the higher the family's contribution. The BCS financial aid committee then makes a specific award of financial aid.
Will applying for financial aid affect my application for admission?
No. Financial information is not given to the admissions committee, and the admissions committee is not involved in financial aid decisions.
Do some applicants have priority?
Yes. Because of our commitment to families who have demonstrated their desire for Christian education, currently enrolled families who received financial aid the previous year are given first consideration. Current members of BCS faculty and staff are also given priority consideration.
When should I apply?
For returning families, the deadline is February 29th, 2008 . New families should apply at the same time they are applying for admission.
Facts About Financial Aid
- Education costs money; your children are worth the cost.
- Most families apply for financial aid at college level; why not earlier? It is not charity.
- Financial aid at BCS comes from designated funds; it is not a discount.
- You cannot receive it if you do not apply.
- For more information on financing a private school education visit the National Association of Independent Schools resource page.
An Investment in Your Child
- A caring community and teachers who are personally committed to your child.
- A philosophy that supports basic beliefs of Christian families.
- A school that encourages students to think and act from a Christian worldview.
To Apply for Financial Aid
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