Financial Assistance

Westminster Academy has established a Financial Assistance Program to assist Christian families who have a genuine financial need and are unable to afford the full cost of tuition. Westminster Academy encourages families with limited means to apply for assistance as early as possible, as the number of qualified applicants often exceeds the financial assistance resources of the school.

Please see our frequently asked questions below. For more information about the Financial Assistance Program, email fa@wa.edu.

Eligibility

New Students

Accepted & Enrolled (enrollment fee paid)

Receive Florida Step Up Scholarship

Full-Time Student

Entering Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade

Demonstrated Commitment To Christian Education

Returning Students

Re-Enrolled (re-enrollment fee paid)

Financial Accounts Must Be Current

Receive Florida Step Up Scholarship

Full-Time Student

Entering Kindergarten Through Twelfth Grade

Demonstrated Commitment To Christian Education

If you believe you may be eligible for financial assistance, please follow the application instructions.

Scholarship Programs

Westminster Academy accepts the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities. These programs are administered through Step Up For Students, a state-approved scholarship funding organization.

The Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program (FTC) was created to empower families to pursue and engage in the most appropriate learning options for their children.

The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities provides Florida students with special needs the opportunity to attend a participating private school.

To access the application or for more information, please visit stepupforstudents.org or call 877.735.7837.

The Folds of Honor Children’s Fund Scholarship subsidizes the costs of tuition, school books, fees, approved educational tutoring, and other approved educational expenses for children of America’s fallen and disabled service-members. .

Scholarships are awarded up to $5,000. The award amount is based on the “unmet need” calculated on the Financial Need page of the application.

The Scholarship application is open from February 1 to March 31 each year.

For information about the Folds of Honor Children’s Fund Scholarship, please visit their website at www.foldsofhonor.org or email: scholarships@foldsofhonor.org.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How are financial assistance awards determined?

The Financial Assistance Committee (a sub-committee of the Westminster Academy School Board) determines the applicant’s need by evaluating total household income, household expenses, assets, liabilities, and financial hardship. The School uses a third-party system, FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, to assist in assessing needs. Awards are ultimately determined based on the amount of financial assistance available.

Families who apply are expected to make significant adjustments to the use of discretionary resources and lifestyle choices. The Financial Assistance Committee will require evidence that a family’s commitment to their child’s Christian education is a priority over ancillary lifestyle choices.

2. Who is FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment?

FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment is a secure, third-party system that conducts a financial analysis to determine a family’s financial need based on information provided in the application and supporting tax documents.

3. Do you offer merit scholarships?

No. Academic, athletic, fine arts, and other merit scholarships are not offered.

5. What is the maximum amount that a family can receive in financial assistance?

Financial assistance from all sources (other WA discounts, Florida scholarship programs, local churches, etc.) will be taken into consideration before a WA Financial Assistance award is considered. Generally, WA Financial Assistance when combined with other sources of financial assistance, will not exceed 75% of tuition. If assistance from other sources becomes available after WA awards Financial Assistance, the WA award can, and likely will, be reduced.

6. How does the Committee factor a non-working parent into their need assessment?

The Committee assumes that all adult family members will work to contribute to the investment in a Westminster Academy education. The Committee will impute income for parents or guardians who choose not to work and assess need accordingly. Families with preschool-aged children or extraordinary situations should provide a detailed explanation in the application.

7. What is the deadline to apply for financial assistance?

New families

New families may file an application at any time. There is a limited pool of funds designated for new families and awards will be granted as applications are received. Families are encouraged to apply as soon as possible.

Current Families

Applicants have until February 28 to complete all steps of the financial assistance process. There are three major steps to the process:

  1. Apply for the Step Up For Students (SUFS) Scholarship.
  2. Complete the FACTS Application (requires a completed tax return).

We encourage applicants to complete their tax returns by February 28 for inclusion in the FACTS application. In addition, all families seeking financial assistance must apply for the Florida scholarships through the Step Up For Students portal as soon as they become available. Westminster Academy will notify parents when the portal is open. Financial assistance is contingent upon receipt of the Step Up For Students award.

After February 28, all applications will be reviewed together, and available funds will be awarded based on need and prorated to the extent the total needs exceed the funds available.

8. How long will it be before I hear back from the Committee?

We anticipate communicating financial assistance award decisions to current families in April and new families within 30 days.

9. What does financial assistance cover?

Financial assistance applies to tuition only. It does not cover student activity fees, enrollment fees, capital fees, or any miscellaneous fees.

10. Can I submit my financial assistance application before I apply for admission?

No. Your children must first be accepted into Westminster Academy, and the enrollment fee must be paid in full.

11. We haven’t completed our taxes yet. Can we still submit the application?

The FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment can be completed without your current tax return, however, awards will not be granted until it is submitted to FACTS. We encourage submitting the FACTS application by February 28. (See Question #7).

 

 

12. If I own my own business, do you require my business tax return?

Yes. Parents who own a business will be required to submit current business tax returns with all supporting schedules.

13. How long is the financial assistance award good for?

The financial assistance award is good for one school year only. A new application will need to be submitted and re-evaluated each year.

14. How is the program funded?

The program is primarily funded by donations from those committed to helping families provide Christian schooling for all children. You may donate to the Financial Assistance Program here, or for more information on how you may contribute, please contact Sarah Hajduk at 954.815.7201 or email at hajduks@wa.edu.

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