Scholarship & Incentive Programs

MISSION STATEMENT

Wilmington Christian School endeavors to make available need-based financial aid (Tuition Assistance) to help meet its parents’ evolving needs by helping to fill the gap between the tuition fees and the family’s ability to pay those costs. It is WCS’s desire to provide tuition assistance to students in an effort to develop a student community that is representative of the cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic diversity of our surrounding communities.

POLICY

While the availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall budgetary constraints influence tuition assistance decisions, Wilmington 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, WCS considers the following when making award decisions:

• New students must submit an Application for Admission to WCS. Current students must not be in arrears for any obligations to WCS. Qualifying students must have applied for or be enrolled full time in grades K-12.
• The primary responsibility for financing a student’s education rests with the family.
• Both parents are expected to contribute to tuition. If a parent chooses not to work, WCS imputes an annual income for a non-working parent.
• In the case of divorce or separation, WCS requires both parents to file an application for tuition assistance. WCS is not bound by any divorce agreement specifying a parent’s responsibility for educational expenses.
• WCS believes a family should invest in their child’s education before elective expenses, for example, secondary home ownership, club memberships, and expensive car leases/purchases.

PROCESS

Wilmington Christian School uses an online system called FAST, powered by ISM (Independent School Management), to evaluate an applicant family’s need for financial assistance.

1. Click on the FAST link below. It takes you to the actual online tuition assistance application. You will need to complete the entire application form and pay the $34.00 fee to FAST for your application to be processed by ISM and delivered electronically to WCS. There are instructions that you may download directly from the application site once you click the link. These instructions outline the information you will need to gather in order to complete the application as efficiently and accurately as possible. Once you have all of your materials, the application should take approximately 30-60 minutes to complete. As you are completing the online application, each field will provide you with the contact information you need if you have any questions. You may begin applying for tuition assistance after November 1^st.
   
2. You must provide all tax returns and forms requested by FAST for the 2009 year for your application to be considered by Wilmington Christian School. It is important that you complete the online application and send your tax forms for the 2009 year to FAST by FEBRUARY 28, 2010.

MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH YOUR ACCOUNTANT EARLY.

YOUR APPLICATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED WITHOUT A 2009 TAX RETURN.

Mail your tax returns directly to FAST:

FAST Processing
ISM
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806-2594*

*Please put “Wilmington Christian School” on the outside of the envelope under the return address!

DEADLINES

To be considered in Round 1 of tuition assistance for the 2010-11 school year, you must complete the online application and send in your tax forms for the 2009 year to FAST by February 28, 2010. You may apply for assistance beyond that date, but the tuition assistance budget may be exhausted after Round 1 of awards. It is possible that additional funds will be available beyond that date; however you may not receive what you would have if you had completed your application on time.

QUESTIONS

• If you would like additional information about the tuition assistance process before applying, please contact Sandy Kroeber, Business Manager, at 302-239-2121, extension 3107.
• If you have specific questions about the FAST form or how to turn your 2009 tax return and other forms around on time to FAST, please call Client Services at FAST:  302-656-4944.

Download Application