The deadline to submit Variable Tuition applications has passed (June 1, 2023). Variable Tuition applications for the 2024-2025 school year will open in January 2024.
A private, Christian education at Westminster Catawba Christian School is more affordable than you might think. Plus our variable tuition program enables qualifying families to receive tuition discounts up to 50%, depending on their financial situation.
Affordability coupled with this Variable Tuition program is what makes a WCCS education accessible to so many outstanding students from our area.
Watch our on-demand webinar with helpful strategies and tips for affording a Christian education for your child!
Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through 12th grade student at Westminster Catawba Christian School may apply for our Variable Tuition program if finances are perhaps an obstacle to affording tuition.
Several factors are considered to determine a family’s variable tuition rate, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family. The total amount of Variable Tuition funds available at WCCS and the number of families applying are also factors. Applications will be accepted until funds are exhausted, so applying as early as possible is key.
Variable Tuition at WCCS typically ranges between 10-50% off the full tuition rate, depending the unique situation of each family that applies for the program. Application to the Variable Tuition program is confidential, and all information used to consider Variable Tuition requests are kept private by our school.
A required fee of $175 per student is charged annually and payable at the time of online enrollment. Additionally, families that participate in our optional services can find cost information through these links:
All tuition payment plans are administered by FACTS Tuition Management and are setup when a family completes online enrollment for a student. Payment plans include annual, semi-annual, and monthly options. It is the school’s policy that before a student’s first day of school, arrangements must be made with our business office to pay for at least one month’s tuition.
An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process. Regardless of financial need, parents should initiate the re-enrollment or admission process as early as possible. Families may apply for Variable Tuition at the same time as applying for admission or re-enrolling, or they can apply for Variable Tuition separately from the admissions and re-enrollment process. An offer of financial assistance does not constitute an acceptance of admission to the school or a re-enrollment offer. Those are separate processes from Variable Tuition that the family must pursue.
It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of a Variable Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to FACTS, a third-party agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Variable Tuition team. Families are notified of the tuition level for which they qualify by the school’s business office.
Unfortunately, the school is not able to provide Variable Tuition to every student who applies for Variable Tuition. We work within the available resources to make the school accessible to as many students and families as possible.
No, you do not have to apply for admission to WCCS in order to receive a Variable Tuition evaluation. Just be aware that Variable Tuition applications and applications for admission are two separate processes and an offer of Variable Tuition does not constitute an acceptance from the Admissions Office. The application for admission to the school is a separate process families must pursue.
Our first round of Variable Tuition awards will be confirmed during the month of March before the next academic year. For subsequent awards after this date, you can anticipate to hear back from us 2-3 weeks after providing all required information to our confidential third party service, FACTS.
No. Only families who feel that they may not able to pay the exit range of the Variable Tuition should submit an application.
Yes. A new application for Variable Tuition must be submitted every year.
Yes, our Variable Tuition applications close on June 1 for the coming school year, or earlier if funds are exhausted sooner. As a school, we have set aside a limited budget of funds to award each year. We begin awarding Variable Tuition in February and meet every 2 weeks through the end of May to consider additional applications. Apply early to be considered in the first rounds of awards, when there are more funds available to award. Variable Applications will open again for the 2024-2025 school year in January of 2024.
Yes. A family that does not receive Variable Tuition is welcome to reapply the following year.
Yes. For new students, application to WCCS and application for Variable Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families may complete both application processes simultaneously.
No. Admission applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.
A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances receive Variable Tuition, from those who are able to pay close to exit range 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.
No. Every family is required to make a financial investment in their child’s education. Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in that investment with you.
No. Unfortunately, the school does not have the ability to offer Variable Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and Variable Tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but placed on a waiting list for Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible.
No. The WCCS Board has established maximum class sizes that cannot be surpassed. Within those limits, we will continue to accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.
Please don’t hesitate to contact our Director of Admissions, Jane Wilson, at jwilson@wccs.org or (803) 328-5472.