Tuition and Fees at Asheville Christian Academy
Get information about private school tuition and see the value of investing in a Christ-centered school
Asheville Christian is committed to being financially accessible for families that desire a top-notch, Christ-centered education. Families who cannot afford the total tuition amount are encouraged to participate in Variable Tuition, which provides a range based on your unique financial position. Applying for Variable Tuition is optional.
| 2024 - 2025 Tuition | |
|---|---|
| Grade Level | Tuition* |
| Pre-Kindergarten | $8,630 |
| Kindergarten | $11,915 |
| Grades 1-5 | $13,800 |
| Grades 6-8 | $15,965 |
| Grades 9-12 | $17,615 |
*This number is considered full tuition - the maximum amount paid by Parents who don't qualify or choose not to apply for Variable Tuition. Variable Tuition application is not required for admission to Asheville Christian.
All additional costs/fees will be charged to your family account statement as they occur. Services that are above the cost of tuition include AfterCare, Learning Connections, Lower School Clubs, Upper School electives and AP courses, Upper and Middle School Fine Arts, Winterim, and Athletics. Please contact the Business Office for more details on additional fees.
Variable Tuition
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The Business Office is guided by financial data submitted to FACTS Management, a division of Nelnet Inc. FACTS provides the school with a report which includes a recommendation of what a family can reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FACTS is kept strictly confidential. FACTS charges each family an application fee. Families must apply each year to receive Variable Tuition.
Variable Tuition FAQs
+ Think you can’t afford a quality Christian education?
Think again. Asheville Christian Academy proudly offers Variable Tuition. Tuition at Asheville Christian is not a “One-size-fits all.” It’s a range. A range that spans from 40-85% of the full cost of education to the school. Variable Tuition adjusts tuition rates to meet your family’s unique financial position. Only those who cannot afford the cost of full tuition need to apply for Variable Tuition.
+ General FAQs
What is Variable Tuition? Variable Tuition is a need-based tuition program similar to those used by many private schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to apply for a variable tuition that is the right fit for their families’ financial situation. Thus, this makes an Asheville Christian education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.
How Does Variable Tuition Work? Any family (current or new) of a kindergarten through twelfth-grade student may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the full tuition rate at Asheville Christian Academy and they think they may qualify for the program. Many factors are considered when determining the tuition amount a family is able to pay, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family. The resources available for the family in a given year must also be considered in light of the Variable Tuition awards available at Asheville Christian.
An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process. Regardless of financial need, parents should initiate the re-enrollment or admission process as early as possible. Variable Tuition decisions will not be shared prior to the school receiving a completed application.
It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of a Variable Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to FACTS Management, a third-party agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Variable Tuition team. Families are notified of the tuition level for which they qualify from the school’s Business Office.
Unfortunately, the school is not able to provide Variable Tuition to every deserving student. We work within the available resources to make the school accessible to as many students and families as possible.
Do I need to apply to Asheville Christian Academy to receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition? Yes.
What if I have not received my W-2 or final Tax Return before the application deadline? We encourage you to apply as soon as possible. If you have not yet completed your tax return, you may temporarily submit the previous year's documents. Even if this results in an incomplete message from FACTS, the school will still proceed with determining your Variable Tuition amount. After you have received the most current documents, you may log back in and revise the application.
Upon completion of my Variable Tuition application, when will I receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition? Typically within 2 weeks of providing all the required information to our confidential third-party service.
What is the cost to apply for Variable Tuition? FACTS Management charges an application fee per family.
+ FAQs for Prospective Parents
Should every new Asheville Christian family submit an application for Variable Tuition? No. Only families who feel that they may not be able to pay the full cost of tuition should submit an application.
Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year? Yes. A new application must be submitted every year.
If I do not qualify for the program this year, can I apply again next year? Yes. A family that does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year, especially if your financial circumstances change.
Do I need to apply for admission separately from applying for Variable Tuition? Yes. For new students, application to Asheville Christian Academy and application for Variable Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families may complete both application processes simultaneously.
Will applying for Variable Tuition hurt my student’s chance of being admitted to the school? No. We desire a diverse socio-economic school community. Admission applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.
What kind of economic situation is typical of a family who qualifies for Variable Tuition? A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to high end of Variable Tuition to those who are at the entry level of the range. Many factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.
Are some families awarded full tuition? No. Every family is required to make a financial investment in their child’s education. Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in that investment with you. No family will receive Variable Tuition that is less than approximately 50% of tuition.
Are all admitted students offered Variable Tuition if the family qualifies? No. Unfortunately, the school does not have the ability to offer Variable Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible. However, there are other sources available. See Scholarship Opportunities below.
Will Variable Tuition lead to larger classes? No. Asheville Christian Academy has established optimal class sizes that cannot be surpassed. Within those limits, we will continue to accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.
Who should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition?
Questions about Variable Tuition should be directed to: Paula Paquette, Family Accounts Manager; paula.paquette@ashevillechristian.org or call 828.581.2211
+ FAQs for Current Parents
Should every returning Asheville Christian family submit an application for Variable Tuition? No. Only families who feel that they may not be able to pay the full cost of tuition should submit an application.
Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year? Yes. A new application must be submitted every year.
If I do not qualify for the program this year, can I apply again next year? Yes. A family that does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year, especially if your financial circumstances change.
I’m currently receiving tuition assistance. How does this work for Variable Tuition? Asheville Christian is replacing the tuition assistance program with Variable Tuition. You should not expect a significant change in your financial commitment unless your situation has changed.
I’m currently receiving scholarship aid. How does this work for Variable Tuition? Asheville Christian will still participate in the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship and the Minority Scholarship Fund. These programs are separate from Variable Tuition. *See note below.
What kind of economic situation is typical of a family who qualifies for Variable Tuition? A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to high end of Variable Tuition to those who are at the entry level of the range. Many factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.
Are some families awarded full tuition? No. Every family is required to make a financial investment in their child’s education. Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in that investment with you. No family will receive Variable Tuition that is less than approximately 50% of full tuition cost. *See additional Scholarship Opportunities.
Will Variable Tuition lead to larger classes? No. Asheville Christian Academy has established maximum class sizes that cannot be surpassed. Within those limits, we will continue to accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.
Who should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition? Questions about Variable Tuition should be directed to:
Paula Paquette, Family Accounts Manager; paula.paquette@ashevillechristian.org or call 828.581.2211
Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to the Variable Tuition model, Asheville Christian also provides supplemental scholarship opportunities through the following:
Notice: External funding such as NC Opportunity Scholarship awards may affect Asheville Christian Variable Tuition qualifications if the external funds are received after the initial Variable Tuition Award. Please notify the School Business Office if you are aware of external funding sources during the Admissions and/or Variable Tuition application process.
North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program
Watch video below for a brief overview.
PRIORITY APPLICATION PERIOD: February 1-March 1
Your financial information is completely confidential. If you have financial concerns about any steps of the application process, please contact the Admissions Office at 828-581-2208. For additional help regarding Variable Tuition, please contact the Business Office at 828-581-2211.