Variable Tuition Application - Lighthouse Christian School

Variable Tuition | Overview

Lighthouse Christian School is committed to providing an accessible, high-quality education built on a Biblical worldview. We recognize not only the importance of a Christian education, but also the investment families make to secure that priceless gift for their children.

Variable tuition is a system designed to make private education more accessible by providing tuition grants that adjust the total tuition cost based on the unique financial situation of each eligible family. This program provides a customized tuition rate for all qualifying students in grades K-8 who apply for a variable tuition discount/grant. Grants range from 5%-55% of the full annual tuition rate.

How It Works
Many factors, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family are taken into consideration when determining grant eligibility and any associated grant amount. Families submit a financial profile (or application) to FACTS, who evaluates the application on the basis of criteria set by LCS and makes a recommendation. The Tuition Evaluation Committee then reviews those recommendations and makes a final determination on the customized tuition responsibility for each family.

Why does Lighthouse offer a variable tuition program?
LCS wants to help change the perception that a private education is not affordable for most families. Variable tuition offers a way to make a quality, Christ-centered education accessible to more families while also keeping tuition affordable year-after-year for our existing, dedicated Lighthouse families.

What is the typical financial situation of a family who qualifies for variable tuition?
A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program. Because each family’s financial situation is different, variable tuition rates are matched to each family’s unique financial situation within the variable tuition range. Many factors are evaluated when determining each family’s rate, including income, assets, unusual expenses, family size, and LCS enrollment.

Variable Tuition | Customized Ranges

Variable Tuition | Application Process

Click here to apply for variable tuition.

Variable Tuition | Expected Timeline

The application review process will begin in March 2025.
Before Applying for Variable Tuition: For new students, you must first complete the admissions application process before applying.
2-3 Weeks After Applying: Application review. You may be contacted for additional information.
Decision communication after application review:
- Ineligible Families: If a family is deemed ineligible for variable tuition, communication will be sent regardless of what stage the family is in during the admissions/continuous enrollment process.
- Eligible Families: If a family is deemed eligible for an adjusted tuition amount, details will be communicated if/when an offer of enrollment is extended by the admissions department for new families, or continuous enrollment is confirmed for the next school year for families with students who currently attend Lighthouse.

Variable Tuition | Policy

Variable tuition is designed to support families based on financial need and is not designed to support lifestyle choices that result in heavy financial stress or indebtedness.
All applications are reviewed by an independent financial assessment organization and a recommendation is provided for each application. Recommendations are reviewed by the LCS Tuition Evaluation Committee for final determination of eligibility and/or your customized tuition amount.
We recognize that every family's situation is unique. One of the greatest factors in evaluating financial need depends on a family's adjusted gross income to tuition cost ratio. However, the committee will take into account other factors.
Academic and disciplinary standards as presented in the Parent-Student Handbook must be maintained.
Families receiving a discounted tuition rate through variable tuition must actively participate in the school community and stay current on financial obligations.
Variable tuition applies only to the current school year. It may be renewed annually by application and may be different from past amounts if there are substantial changes in a family’s income, assets, or family makeup of enrolled students.

Frequently Asked Questions

How are variable tuition eligibility and customized amounts decided?

The Tuition Evaluation Committee determines eligibility and determines customized tuition rates after reviewing recommendations provided by our independent third party, while also taking into account the funds available and size of the applicant pool. A committee member will contact the applicant if additional information is required.
All applicants will receive a letter notifying them of the committee’s decisions.
The Tuition Evaluation Committee considers other factors in its decisions.
- Students must demonstrate good academic standing and conduct.
- Parents must adhere to the conduct expectations and conflict resolution as outlined in the Parent-Student Handbook.
- Any chronic disciplinary or conduct issues arising during the school year can be evaluated by the committee and may impact eligibility at any time.
- Families are expected to remain current with their tuition payments and incidentals for their customized rate to be sustained. Any unpaid balances from the prior school year must be brought current before variable tuition will be considered.

What happens if a child withdraws from Lighthouse?

If, after applying for variable tuition and/or receiving a customized rate, one or more children will not be attending Lighthouse, the applicant must promptly email the Tuition Evaluation Committee.
Because number of students enrolled is a consideration when determining customized rates, you may experience a revision to the customized amount.

Are there costs associated with applying for variable tuition?

Lighthouse does not impose an application fee. However, FACTS Management assesses a $45 fee per family at the time of application submission.

Who has access to the information provided in the application form?

Upon initial submission of your variable tuition application, your information will be processed through our third-party evaluator, FACTS Management Co. FACTS is a provider of tuition billing and tuition management services for other schools in the region. If you have students at other schools that utilize FACTS, and you indicate that association on your grant application, your information will be viewable by the other schools.
Internally at Lighthouse, your application is reviewed by the Tuition Evaluation Committee. This committee is made up of two board members and the Director of Operations.
ONLY the Director of Operations, as the program administrator, sees your personally identifiable information (PII). Committee members have a restricted view of your application which does not display any personally identifiable information.
Application information and variable tuition amounts are held in the strictest confidence by the Tuition Evaluation Committee.

Need More Information?

Have additional questions or want more information about variable tuition? Please email TuitionEval@lcschool.org.