FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
LCA’s need-based financial assistance program was established to provide the opportunity for those families who desire private Christian education for their child but have financial limitations in doing so. This program is intended to provide a supplement to a family’s tuition enabling them to bridge the financial gap that historically would have prevented their child(ren) from enrolling at LCA. Qualifying for need-based financial assistance requires proof of the need for assistance.
LCA works with FACTS Grant & Aid to offer limited need-based financial assistance. FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment uses key personal and financial information to evaluate your financial need. By completing an application, you will provide the necessary information to help LCA make an informed decision about awarding assistance. Families requesting aid will do so annually by completing one application per family.
To be considered for financial assistance, the following criteria must be met:
Demonstration of need for financial assistance.
All existing LCA families must be current on their account.
Families will seek to positively contribute to LCA such as taking advantage of volunteer opportunities, donating resources or skills, and students will seek to contribute to a positive peer culture academically, spiritually, and socially.
Families with students in PreK3, PreK4, or K only are not considered for financial assistance.
HOW TO APPLY FOR NEED-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
There is a non-refundable application fee of $45 per family assessed by FACTS. This fee covers the processing of the application, verification of the tax documents submitted, and assessment of financial need.
Complete the FACTS Financial Assistance application HERE. New users will need to create an account.
After completing the online application providing income, expenses, and asset information, you will submit your application along with the $45 fee. Upon submission, you will be asked to upload all required supporting documentation. An “incomplete” status will appear until all documents have been submitted. *If you are applying before your current tax return has been filed, please submit your prior year’s tax information. When your current taxes have been completed, you will need to upload that information. Only estimated or preliminary awards can be determined with the prior year’s tax information.
Supporting documentation includes:
—IRS Federal Income Tax Return, including all supporting schedules. If the applicant and co-applicant file separately, both tax returns for the same year must be submitted.—All current year W-2 wage and tax statements for both the applicant and co-applicant. Note: if you are applying before you have received all the current year W-2 Wage and tax statements, please submit them as soon as they become available.
—Copies of supporting tax schedules (specifics are listed in the application)
—Copies of supporting documentation for household non-taxable income such as social security income, welfare, child support, food stamps, workers’ compensation, and Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF). If you do not file a tax return, you are required to provide documentation of all income received.
IMPORTANT: If you file a tax return but do not have W-2 wages because you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a copy of your current year Federal Form 1040 Tax Return.Need-based financial assistance requests should be submitted by April 1, and prior to the family interview being scheduled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications received after this date will be considered in the order they are received.
Families will be notified via email regarding award information.
DISTRIBUTION OF NEED-BASED FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Distribution of Need-Based Financial Assistance is determined by LCA’s enrollment committee.
Priority is given to current LCA families with a student enrolled at LCA along with any additional siblings from those same families.
Need-based financial assistance typically ranges from 5%-50% based on confirmed need and supporting documentation. Exceptions can be made depending on the number of enrolling siblings and extenuating family circumstances that are documented on the financial assistance application.
Once an award is issued, an appeal can be made if the awarded amount is not sufficient to cover the need.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Who is FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment?
FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment is an independent, third party company that conducts financial analysis to determine your family's financial need. LCA receives a confidential report outlining your financial situation based on the information obtained in your application and supporting tax documents. They do not supply the funding for aid, but rather offers an income based financial analysis to determine your family’s financial need.
Where does the funding for need-based financial assistance come from?
The majority of funding for need-based financial assistance comes from donations to the Georgia GOAL Scholarship Program. Individuals and companies who pay Georgia income taxes are eligible to donate to GOAL and can designate that their contributions be used for scholarships at LCA. Information on contributing to GOAL can be found here. In addition, LCA has established the Family Assistance Fund to provide assistance to existing LCA families who are in need of financial support. Donations to the Family Assistance Fund can be submitted here. Funding of the GOAL Scholarship program and the Family Assistance Fund increases the availability of financial assistance to distribute to multiple families, and you are encouraged to participate and share this opportunity with others who would like to assist our school.
What is the deadline to apply for financial aid?
Need-based financial assistance requests should be submitted by April 1, and prior to the family interview being scheduled. Incomplete applications will not be considered. Applications received after this date will be processed in the order they are received.
Why do I have to provide all of this personal and confidential information?
In order to provide your educational institution with an accurate assessment, FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment must verify your expenses and household income. By providing all of your information, FACTS Grant & Aid can assist LCA in making an informed decision about the amount of financial assistance needed for each family.
What happens if I do not provide all of this information?
Failure to provide all of the necessary information needed to complete the application process may result in your family not receiving financial aid or limit the amount given by LCA.
If I do not have all of the necessary information to complete the application online, will I have to start over?
No. As you complete the online application, there will be a "Save & Continue" button at the end of each section. If you are unable to complete the entire application, you can select the "Save & Exit" button and continue your application at a later time.
What if I need to make changes to my application?
If you have submitted your application, you may log on to the FACTS Grant & Aid website with your username and password to access your application and make corrections or changes. LCA will be notified of changes to your application from the original submission.
How can I check the status of my application?
Once you have completed the online application, you will be able to log on to the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website with a username and password to check the status of your application. The username and password will be created by you the first time that you log on. If you have misplaced your username and password, you will need to contact a FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment team member at 866-315-9262 or email FACTS at info@factstuitionaid.com.
Will FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment send me a copy of my assessment?
No. The assessment of your application will be sent only to the educational institution or organization providing the award. Information sent to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment to complete your assessment, such as your 1040 tax form or W-2, will not be returned to you.
What happens to the tax forms and W-2 information that is submitted to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment?
All documentation received from an applicant is imaged upon receipt and then destroyed for security purposes.
Who makes the final award decision?
Award decisions are made by LCA, not FACTS Grant & Aid. FACTS simply assists with the collection of financial data so schools can make accurate award decisions based on financial need.
Do I need to reapply for need-based financial assistance every year?
Yes. Financial assistance is re-evaluated annually.
