FINANCIAL AID GUIDELINES

 

Approximately 50 percent of the school’s annual operating expenses are covered by  government grants; the balance of which is covered by tuition. Accordingly, tuition plays a  critical role and controls the quality of the education Kelowna Christian School is able to offer.  Since the beginning of our school in 1978, significant funds have been devoted to assisting  those families experiencing temporary financial hardship or for whom paying full tuition is  beyond their financial means. UPDATE: For the 2025-2026 academic year, Kelowna Christian  School expects to distribute $275,000 or just over 5% of projected tuition income. 

In order for us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we have enlisted the help of  Independent School Management's FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition) program. FAST does  not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give. Rather FAST  provides a need-based financial aid analysis service which includes a recommendation of  what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FAST is kept  strictly confidential. Results are reviewed by the school’s Business Office and Financial Aid  Committee which makes recommendations based on the annual Financial Assistance Fund  budget. A letter confirming the amount of financial aid is sent to families in early June. 

While the availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall  budgetary constraints influence financial assistance decisions, Kelowna Christian School is  committed to making grants available to as many eligible applicants as possible. In an effort  to make the process fair to all, Kelowna Christian School considers the following when making  award decisions: 

• Both parents are expected to contribute to tuition. If a parent chooses not to work, Kelowna Christian School imputes an annual income for a non-working parent. 
• Families are expected to pay a portion of tuition, this fund is simply to assist with a portion based on need or hardship. 
• In the case of divorce or separation, Kelowna Christian School requires both parents to file an application for financial assistance. The school is not bound by any divorce agreement specifying a parent’s responsibility for educational expenses. 
• Kelowna Christian School believes a family should invest in their child’s education before elective expenses, for example, secondary home ownership, club memberships, expensive car leases/purchases, and elaborate vacations. 

No financial aid procedure can be entirely equitable—there are simply too many individual  factors and extenuating circumstances—however, we believe the process that has been  established serves Kelowna Christian School well.

Financial Aid Procedures 

FOR PARENTS:

1. Parents are asked to access the F.A.S.T. Program website specifically for Kelowna Christian School applicants. Applications open the first week of March. Click on the FAST icon to the right… 

2. Once there, click the Start Application button in the middle of the first page. All your financial information should be entered directly through the secure server. Space is also provided to fill out additional information that may be pertinent to your application. In addition, a copy of your most recent tax return and other supporting documents must be uploaded directly to FAST. As FAST decisions require current data, this information should be submitted in March or April when the most current tax return has been filed. 

3. A non-refundable fee of $60.00 US dollars is charged by FAST to process your online application (via online Credit card payment). Once completed, the application will be available immediately for review by our school’s Business Office. A FAST representative or the school’s Business Office will contact you if additional information is needed. 

4. Should you require assistance with your application, FAST Customer Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, toll free at 877-326-FAST (3278). 

 

PROCEDURE AFTER APPLICATION IS SUBMITTED:  

1. Once entered, the school’s Business Office can access your application.
2. Deadline for FAST applications for existing school families is May 1. 
3. In May, applications are assessed and prioritized, with decisions made according to the school's annual financial aid budget.
4. In early June, the Business Office sends a letter confirming the amount of financial aid granted to families, and upon approval, adjusts the annual tuition payable for the school year. 

Financial Aid Deadlines 

The deadlines for applying for financial aid for the 2025-2026 school year are as follows:  

By May 1, 2025: 

FAST applications must be completed  

By May 8, 2025: 

Supporting documents (i.e. tax return & other forms)  must be received by FAST  

Once these deadlines have passed families can still complete an application, however  financial aid may not be awarded if the annual Financial Aid budget is fully  committed to prior applicants. Therefore, if a need for financial aid exists, families  should not delay; they are advised to submit their FAST application at the very earliest  opportunity.