Tuition Assistance

Any student currently enrolled or new applicants for admission to Tacoma Christian Academy can apply for tuition assistance. Generally, assistance will only be awarded for newly accepted students and current students enrolled for the following school year and whose tuition account is current. Families may apply for tuition assistance before starting the enrollment process.

All applications must be submitted via the FAST link on our website.

If you believe you cannot afford the tuition assistance application fee, please contact Lyudmila Dzyubak to discuss your situation. The School has a limited number of waiver vouchers and if your family meets the income threshold, you may qualify for the use of an available voucher.

Tacoma Christian Academy relies on the assistance of F.A.S.T. (an online service) in calculating each applicant’s level of demonstrated need based on a completed application. These calculations consider gross income, nontaxable income, assets, liabilities, family size, the number of children in tuition-paying schools below the college level, and situations where the income level does not support the spending level, among other items. Included in this calculation is an allowance for basic living expenses and taxes. The Tuition Assistance Committee and School Board review this data and makes final decision based on additional knowledge about your unique situation.

The award amount depends on the number of families applying for tuition assistance and the amount of allocated tuition assistance funds. The application fee is $53 and is non-refundable. This fee is in addition to the $125 Enrollment Fee. Tacoma Christian Academy generally gives priority to returning students, new students who are siblings of existing or past Tacoma Christian Academy students, and new students that are children or grandchildren of Tacoma Christian Academy alumni.

You will need to submit:

1. Your pay stubs for the past 2 months for all jobs. If you are receiving Social Security, unemployment or disability compensation you will need to submit a copy of these stubs.
2. If Self Employed send the first two pages of the IRS Form 1040 and Schedules C&E if applicable.
3. A copy of your 2018 W2 and/or 1099 for all jobs worked.
4. A complete copy of your 2018 STATE and FEDERAL tax return including all schedules and business tax returns, such as K1’s and 1120 for Corporations.
5. Support documentation for receipt of TNAF, SNAP or Section 8 housing assistance.
6. Documentation regarding child support – court documents or check copy.

These documents will be needed for all adults in the household and should be submitted directly to FAST. Upon review of your application, additional documents may be requested.

It is recommended that you make an appointment with your tax consultant early in order to insure your return is complete by April 15. Tax returns must be received for your application to be considered complete and eligible for assistance. All assistance granted is contingent upon receipt and review of these documents.

Regardless of the marriage status, the School does consider both biological parents as responsible for their child’s education, regardless of any legal assertions to the contrary. Therefore, Tacoma Christian Academy requires both biological parents to complete tuition assistance applications.

Tacoma Christian Academy understands that some family situations can be very difficult. In such cases, a letter may be submitted to Tacoma Christian Academy from a pastor, social worker, or attorney confirming that the other biological parent cannot be located or refuses to participate in any aspects of their child’s life. The letter writer cannot be a relative of the applicant. The letter must state the following, as applicable:

1. The whereabouts of the other biological parent are unknown.
2. The other biological parent has provided no support and has had no contact with the family for at least two years.
3. It is in the family’s best interest not to have further contact with the other biological parent.
4. Any other extenuating circumstances that the individual believes the School should consider.

This letter should be submitted directly to Tacoma Christian Academy 2014 S 15th St Tacoma, WA 98405.

Assistance awards are for one year only. Families on assistance must re‐apply for each subsequent year they wish to receive such assistance. While there are no guarantee as to future assistance grants, normally once a family is receiving tuition assistance, they will receive grants of similar amounts in future years unless their financial situation changes. However, students in the tuition assistance program are expected to maintain a 2.25 GPA and remain in good standing.

In cases where a family’s financial situation deteriorates, more assistance may be granted unless a family has already been granted the maximum tuition assistance allowed. Conversely, if a family’s financial situation improves or new information comes to light, assistance awarded may be reduced or eliminated if the Tuition Assistance Committee deems such action appropriate.

We understand that sometimes a family’s financial situation can change unexpectedly. While assistance is more limited, we encourage you to apply if needed. When applying late, please notify Lyudmila Dzyubak at TuitionAssistance@tacomachristianacademy.com that you are submitting an application. Additionally, we encourage you to contact our Accountant to discuss your situation and possible alternative solutions.

Applications will only be considered if they have been filled out completely and all requested documents have been submitted. Once an application has been submitted with all supporting documentation and no additional information is required, a tuition assistance decision letter will be sent to you within two weeks of the submission date. If additional information is required, a Tuition Assistance Committee member will contact you.

You may appeal the tuition assistance decision if your financial situation has changed or you believe the Tuition Assistance Committee may have misunderstood your current situation. In such cases, you may be asked for additional documentation. Please contact Lyudmila Dzyubak at TuitionAssistance@tacomachristianacademy.com for instructions to submit an appeal.

No. Tuition assistance is not a loan. If at some future date your family’s financial situation improves, we hope you will consider making a donation to Tacoma Christian Academy to help enable other deserving students to attend.

Please contact Lyudmila Dzyubak at TuitionAssistance@tacomachristianacademy.com or in the School Office at (253) 572-1742.

Tacoma Christian Academy takes seriously its responsibility to maintain confidentiality over all tuition assistance information and records. It is recommended that you redact any social security numbers listed on your supporting documents and that you personally scan or mail your documents to FAST. Tacoma Christian Academy must comply with any legal requests from courts or attorneys to provide documents. Parents are expected to keep their tuition assistance awards confidential and not discuss them with other families or teachers.