Financial Aid Programs

Southfield Christian School provides and administers various financial aid programs designed to help families who need assistance in meeting tuition costs. The programs provide assistance to qualifying families who have been offered enrollment to SCS through the SCS Admissions Office. The purpose of this document is to provide a description of these programs and the procedures related to the administration of these programs.

SCS Scholarship Fund

A. Scholarships are available to all families who have been offered enrollment to SCS; and who have completed the application process and meet financial need requirements.
B. Scholarships must be requested each year. Applications are available in the SCS Business Office and online from the SCS website.
C. Families who already receive a tuition reduction (discount) may also apply for assistance through the SCS Scholarship Fund. This includes, but is not limited to, SCS and HPBC staff, pastors, missionaries and full-time Christian workers.
D. Families receiving scholarships must keep their tuition accounts current. If not, the Finance Committee can discontinue the monthly assistance credited to the family’s tuition account.
E. Families requesting scholarships must comply with the following application process:

• Along with this online application, parents submit a letter that explains the situation that causes them to apply for a scholarship, including specific hardships and financial difficulties. It should also include specific strategies the family has employed to afford tuition. For example, eliminated family vacations, cut family activities, sold assets, borrowed money for tuition, etc. (This letter is the most critical piece of information in determining the scholarship award.)
• The parents also submit an online application to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment at: www.factstuitionaid.com . The data entered into this secure online program will be used to objectively analyze financial need and calculate a recommended “family contribution” toward tuition.
• The SCS Finance Committee will use the letter and the FACTS Grant & Aid information to determine eligibility and amount of scholarship to be awarded. All awards are subject to availability of funds.
• Scholarship Application Deadlines:

a. Applications received by March 1st will be notified by April 15th.
b. Applications received by May 30 will be notified by June 30th.
c. Applications received by August 31st will be notified by September 30th.

• Once the committee has approved a scholarship, the Business Manager notifies the family in writing of the amount granted.

Highland Park Baptist Church Elder Board Scholarship

The Elder Board of HPBC has designated a scholarship fund to help offset SCS tuition costs for enrolled HPBC families who are experiencing financial hardship. When monies are available, HPBC members with SCS students may apply for one-year scholarships. Eligibility, application requirements and qualification criteria are established by the HPBC Deacon Board. A review committee of Deacon Board members evaluates applications and determines awards. Elder Board Scholarship Applications are available in the SCS Business Office. Aside from any additional information that may be required by HPBC, this scholarship application process also requires a strategy letter and online financial application with FACTS Grant & Aid at www.factstuitionaid.com .

Third-Party Scholarships

Other churches whose members have SCS students may also provide scholarships to their SCS students from time-to-time.

Third-Party Sponsorships

Students who transfer to SCS from other private schools may also transfer their tuition sponsorships to SCS by having their sponsors contact the SCS Business Manager.

Student Benevolence Fund

Sometimes families encounter financial hardships during the school year after all scholarships have been granted. Such hardship usually involves severe or extenuating circumstances which cause a family to withdraw its student(s) from SCS because tuition payments are no longer feasible. Similar to third-party sponsorships, the SCS Student Benevolence Fund allows anonymous donors to provide tuition assistance for families who would otherwise withdraw from SCS.

SCS Recruiting Incentive

Current SCS families are eligible for a $1,000 tuition reduction for every new family they recruit that is ultimately enrolled at SCS. The criteria for this incentive are:
1) Attend and register at a training workshop held by the SCS Admissions Office.
2) The new family recruited must meet SCS admission policies and have at least one new student enrolled at SCS.
3) The new family must specify who recruited them.
4) The recruiting incentive can be earned by any family, even if receiving other tuition reductions and financial aid. Incentives are given as tuition reductions in 90-day increments, beginning when the new family recruited has been enrolled at least 90 days.
5) The offering of this incentive, and limits on the amount of incentives awarded, are subject to the annual approval of the Finance Committee.
6) All disputes will be handled by the Superintendent.

General Guidelines

1) Families must be current and paid up on tuition and fees in order to be eligible for any type of financial aid.
2) Families may apply for all forms of financial aid offered by SCS, except the Student Benevolence Fund.
3) Only one form of scholarship will be granted or allowed in any given year for a family. However, students with third-party sponsorships and/or third-party scholarships may also be considered for the SCS Scholarship Fund at the discretion of the Finance Committee.
4) Current SCS families who receive any form of financial aid may also be eligible for the Recruiting Incentive.
5) When funds are available, HPBC members who apply for SCS Scholarships will be reviewed for the HPBC Elder Board Scholarship before being evaluated for any other type of financial aid.
6) All awards are subject to the availability of funds.