Financial Aid
Mt. Bethel Christian Academy strives to grant financial assistance to all families who apply and qualify for financial aid through the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid (www.nais.org/financialaid/sss/). In order to meet the needs for the greatest number of families, the Financial Aid Committee will thoroughly evaluate all aid applicants and re-evaluate all current recipients from year to year. To provide a viable aid program, it is necessary to establish and follow some specific guidelines to ensure fair and equitable distribution. Please refer to the attached procedure concerning Financial Aid eligibility. These guidelines must be followed for aid to be granted. Families failing to meet the required standards will not be considered for aid in consecutive years. If you find yourself unable to meet the requirements, please contact the Academy Finance Office to avoid penalties.
Please Note: In addition to completion of the SSS application, supporting documention is required. To access this documentation, click here and print a copy to complete and submit.
GUIDELINES
Parents must demonstrate an understanding of and desire for Christian education.
Eligibility for financial aid shall be based upon genuine, demonstrated need and space available in the classroom.
Any school balances owed by the applicant from a prior school year must be paid up in order for a new application to be considered.
Once financial aid is granted, it is only continued as the family receiving aid keeps up with its monthly payments.
Minimal aid distributions are granted to first year students. If applicant qualifies in consecutive years and meets all required standards, larger awards may be granted.Continuing good behavior by the student both in and out of school is required, or the remainder of the aid award may be withdrawn upon written notice.
Students must maintain at least a minimum B average and maintain reasonably good attendance records for continuation of the financial aid from one semester to the next.
Parents must demonstrate on a continuing basis a cooperative attitude toward the school administration and staff, or the remainder of the aid award may be withdrawn upon written notice.
In cases where the applicant is divorced, the assets of both parents will be considered if parents have joint custody. If the custodial parent has remarried, the assets of the stepparent will be included in the review. If someone else is financially responsible for the student, that person should complete the aid form and explain his/her relationship to the student.
Parents are expected to try to pay more toward their children’s tuition if their financial situation improves during the year so that additional needy families may be helped. Please notify the school when financial conditions change during the year.
If a student withdraws from the Academy during the year, or is expelled, all unused portions of the aid shall be retained by the Financial Aid Fund.
Financial aid is not automatically renewable for a new school year. Families must reapply for aid for each school year.
Financial aid applications received by the deadline will be treated on an equal basis. Thereafter, aid requests will be prioritized by the date received.
FINANCIAL AID POLICY
The policy of the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy regarding financial aid is that we SHALL;
Strive through its publications and communications to provide students and families with factual information about the total yearly cost of attending its institution and about its aid opportunities, financing opportunities, policies, and procedures.
Recognize that the primary responsibility for financing a student’s independent school education rests with his/her family.
Use a uniform methodology to assess annually, in a consistent and equitable manner, each family’s ability to pay for education.
Require adequate documentation of family resources when determining need.
Notify accepted aid applicants of financial aid decisions before expecting a binding reply to the offer of admission.
Make every effort to meet the demonstrated need of all admitted or enrolled financial aid applicants.
Continue to fund a student until graduation unless he/she no longer demonstrates need.
Retain a certain amount of available financial aid funds for emergency financial aid use during the school year. Any funds so retained but not used will be added to the available funds for the following year.
Have a review procedure for families who wish to request additional funding.
Refrain from and discourage others from making any public announcement of a student receiving financial aid or the amount of that aid awarded to a student.
Safeguard the confidentiality of all financial information supplied by a family.
The policy of the Mt. Bethel Christian Academy regarding financial aid is that we SHALL NOT;
Discriminate in the administration of its financial aid policies because of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or age in violation of existing state or federal laws or regulations.
Use financial need as a consideration in determining a student’s eligibility for admission.
Exceed in its offer of financial aid the amount needed to meet the difference between the resources determined to be available to the family and the student’s total educational expenses.
FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION BASICS
1. Complete SSS online application.
2. Complete supporting documentation and submit with tax records.
