Tuition Assistance

SMCS Offers Tuition Assistance

You Can afford a excellent Christian school education!
Click on the link below for more information

Q: Who is eligible to apply for tuition assistance?
We encourage anybody who feels they will have difficulty paying the full tuition amount to apply for tuition assistance.

Q: Who processes my application for tuition assistance?
Sheets Memorial Christian School uses the services of FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition), a third-party reviewer, to assist with the confidential tuition assistance decision making process.

Q: Is tuition assistance based upon my family's income?
Not entirely.  FAST considers a number of factors when making its recommendations for tuition assistance to SMCS.  Among other variables, they consider the family's income, charitable contributions, reasonable living expenses, the number of children to be enrolled in the school, college expenses, and the family's total cost of tuition (having multiple children increases the income limits at which families will qualify for tuition assistance).  Additionally, when a family submits a letter of explanation with his or her FAST application, Sheets Memorial Christian School's tuition assistance committee can take into additional consideration such things as a sudden loss of income or certain unexpected financial hardships, such as medical expenses.

Q: Will there be any difference in the great quality education my child receives if they are granted tuition assistance?
You absolutely should NOT expect any difference. The tuition assistance process is completely confidential and every student is treated equally.

Q: How much tuition assistance will I receive?
Because tuition assistance is calculated using a formula that takes into account many variables, it is difficult to determine your level of assistance until you process an application through FAST.

Q: I believe my income will be too high to qualify for tuition assistance, but I have recently lost my job, lost income, or experienced an unforeseen financial hardship.  Should I apply?
Yes. There is provision within the FAST application process to factor in such considerations. Please contact our financial manager, Mrs. Tammy Pace at sheetsm@sheetsmemorial.org or extension 224 for further instructions on how to handle such circumstances.

Q: Is the FAST application process confidential?
SMCS values your privacy and commits to keeping all of your financial data strictly confidential between FAST, SMCS' tuition assistance committee, and your family.

Q: I have reviewed the FAST guidelines, and I do not believe I will qualify for tuition assistance.  Should I still complete an application?
We always encourage families who have difficulty paying full tuition at SMCS to apply for tuition assistance; because so many variables are considered, it is difficult to predict whether or not you will qualify based solely upon your income.

Q: I have one child at SMCS who has a younger sibling.  We can afford to send our first child to SMCS, but we will not be able to afford to send our other children.  What should we do?
This kind of situation is exactly why SMCS has a tuition assistance program in place. FAST considers the total tuition bill when they process your application for aid.  Perhaps you do not qualify for tuition assistance with only one child enrolled, or perhaps you qualify for a small amount.  However, once you have two or more children enrolled at SMCS, you are likely to qualify for a significantly higher amount of tuition assistance.  FAST will also take into consideration when a student's sibling is enrolled in another educational institution, including colleges.

Q: Do the costs for the application, book fees, enrollment fees, or after school care qualify for tuition assistance?
At this time, the application fee, book fees, enrollment fee, and after school care do not qualify for tuition assistance. 

Q:  Does tuition associated with participation in the school's program for gifted or special needs students (SOAR) qualify for tuition assistance?
Yes. Please contact the SOAR director or financial manager to receive an estimate on what SOAR charges will be for you in the coming school year. You should add this amount into your tuition when you submit your FAST application.

Q: Do I have to apply to SMCS prior to applying for tuition assistance?
No, you may complete an application for tuition assistance prior to applying for SMCS.  However, once you have been notified of your award amount  you will need to apply, interview, and enroll within two weeks in order to claim these funds.  So, we generally suggest that you go through the application process before or immediately upon submission of your application to FAST.

Q: What is the cost to process the application for tuition assistance?
FAST charges an administrative processing fee of $35, which is payable on their web site or via check if you submit a paper application.

Q: Okay, I'm ready; how do I apply for tuition assistance?
You may choose to apply online by clicking HERE, or you may contact our financial manager, Mrs. Tammy Pace, at sheetsm@sheetsmemorial.org or by calling her at 336-249-4224, ext. 224.

Q: I have submitted my application to FAST for tuition assistance.  How do I apply for admission to Sheets Memorial Christian School ?
Please visit our Admissions Page for additional information about applying to Sheets Memorial Christian School .

Click HERE for a comprehensive analysis behind the tuition assistant program

FAST Information Parent Guide (English)
FAST Information Parent Guide (Spanish)