Financial Aid Policy
At Chattanooga Christian School, we seek to partner with families by providing need-based financial aid in a manner that is fair, consistent, and aligned with our mission. More information about CCS’s financial aid program, including eligibility and application details, can be found in our Tuition & Financial Aid Overview.
Parental Responsibility
The primary responsibility for tuition rests with the family. Tuition assistance awards are need-based and are intended to help bridge the gap between a family’s ability to pay and the total tuition cost (calculated need). Families are expected to provide complete and accurate financial information; failure to do so may result in the reduction or loss of aid.
Calculated Need
CCS uses the independent analysis provided by a third party to help to determine a family’s demonstrated need. A family’s calculated need is determined using a standard formula that considers a variety of factors, but is primarily driven by income. In addition to total income, other factors that may increase or decrease a family’s ability to pay—and therefore affect the determined need—include net assets, family size, the number of students enrolled in tuition-paying schools, and certain non-discretionary expenses (such as medical costs, taxes, and student loan payments).
For discretionary expenses, including housing, income is reduced by a standard cost-of-living allowance that is based on the family’s size and geographic location. Any outside funding received, including state-funded tuition assistance, will be considered a contribution toward tuition.
Financial Aid Committee
Upon review of your application and related documents, financial aid awards are determined by the Financial Aid Committee, which is composed of an appointed group of staff and administrators. Awards apply to tuition and dining plans only and are based on a percentage of your calculated need. All tuition assistance is awarded at the sole discretion of the committee and is not guaranteed. Awards are contingent upon the availability of funds—both for the school year as a whole and for each grade level—and there is no standard amount awarded per student or situation.
Priority
Priority for tuition assistance is given to families who complete our financial aid application accurately, submit all required documentation, and adhere to all deadlines. To be considered for assistance, all required paperwork must be completed and submitted on time. It is also important to maintain your CCS account in good standing (i.e., payments made on time). While every effort is made to support all eligible applicants, returning students and families in which both parents are employed may receive priority consideration when awards are determined. Exceptions may be made for families in which one parent is caring for a non-school-age child or experiencing ongoing medical complications that prevent employment, as outlined in the policy below.
Need-blind Admission
Tuition assistance decisions are made independently of admissions decisions and are considered only after an offer of admission has been extended. New students must first be accepted through the admission process before being considered for tuition assistance through a separate review process.
Awards
If you qualify for financial assistance, your award will be reflected directly on your enrollment contract if you qualify for assistance. Families will not receive a separate communication indicating the award amount or notification of ineligibility. The financial aid amount listed on the enrollment contract represents the total approved assistance for the academic year.
The total amount of financial aid may not exceed the remaining tuition balance after all other discounts, tuition remission benefits or external awards have been applied. All awards are subject to review and adjustment if additional funding sources are identified or if a family’s financial circumstances change.
Non-Working Parent
Recognizing that each family bears the primary responsibility for financing educational costs, the School imputes an income equivalent to a tuition amount for any parent who chooses not to seek employment. Exceptions may be made if the parent is caring for a non-school-age child or has ongoing medical complications that prevent employment.
Divorce or Separation
Full participation is expected of both biological parents, stepparents, and any adults with whom the student resides, who have custody, or who hold financial responsibility or influence in the student’s life.
In the process of evaluating a family’s financial situation, the tuition assistance process requires complete documentation and full transparency from all parties identified above, regardless of divorce, separation, or estrangement. An award will not be issued until all required information has been received from every party. All parents, guardians, and stepparents must submit a financial aid application and include all required documentation.
Confidentiality
Recognizing the sensitivity of personal financial matters, we guarantee the confidentiality of the financial aid process and expect families to maintain the confidentiality of any award information as well.
Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA)
As a member of the Tennessee Secondary School Athletic Association (TSSAA), the School adheres to all guidelines and rules established through its membership, some of which may affect students. To remain eligible for TSSAA-sanctioned athletics, students may not receive financial assistance exceeding their demonstrated need as determined by the financial aid platform. The School submits required information to TSSAA for students in grades 8-12.
Ongoing Requirements
When a family accepts an award for tuition assistance, they agree to partner with CCS in supporting their student’s regular attendance, active participation, satisfactory academic progress, good citizenship, and continued good financial standing with the CCS Business Office. Failure to apply for or maintain eligibility for available state-funded tuition assistance programs may result in forfeiture or adjustment of financial aid in subsequent years
Renewal
Tuition assistance is evaluated annually, independent of prior years’ results, based on demonstrated continuation of financial financial need.
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