Variable Tuition - Westlake Christian Academy

Helping Families Afford a Westlake Education

At Westlake Christian Academy, we strive to make education available to families who value a strong academic education that is rooted in Christ, regardless of the family’s ability to pay. In fact, no student at WCA pays 100% of the cost of Christian education! How do we do this? Westlake partners with generous donors, and with their financial support, the gap between tuition income and actual expenses is filled. Above all, our entire school community relies on the goodness of God by faith.

To help families with the cost of education, WCA offers a Variable Tuition program (VT). We match your tuition rate to your family’s unique financial position so that tuition at Westlake is not a one-size-fits-all, it’s a range.

To view the range of Variable Tuition for the 2024-2025 school year, click here.

The application for Variable Tuition takes into consideration a number of factors to determine the tuition tailored for your family. We use the FACTS Grant & Aid service for gathering the data and computing a report for individualized tuition rates. The cost for that report is $40 per family (not per student).

Applications open on January 15th. Families must re-apply every year for Variable Tuition. The deadline for returning families to apply is April 30th.

Apply for Variable Tuition today.

For more information about Variable Tuition, visit our FAQs below.

Variable Tuition FAQs

What is Variable Tuition?

Variable Tuition is a need-based program for determining tuition similar to those used by many private schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to receive a tuition rate that is tailored to their unique financial situation. Variable Tuition makes a Westlake 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 Westlake Christian Academy. 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.

An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the enrollment or admission process. Regardless of financial situation, parents of new students should initiate the admission process as early as possible. New families may apply for Variable Tuition only after they have applied for admission to the school.

It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without completing a Variable Tuition application. Families should apply online with the FACTS tuition management service, 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 financial office. All reported data is kept in strict confidence.

How long does it take to process Variable Tuition applications?

Variable Tuition applications are typically processed within two weeks of FACTS receiving a completed application and all required documentation. During the peak application season, this process may take longer.

What is the cost to apply for Variable Tuition?

The cost per family to apply to FACTS for Variable Tuition is $40, regardless of the number of children. Current families who have FACTS accounts set up for tuition payments must still apply annually and pay the fee for Variable Tuition. This is a separate service.

Should every new Westlake family submit an application for Variable Tuition?

Families who are able to pay the full price of tuition do not need to apply for Variable Tuition.

Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year?

Yes. A new Variable Tuition application must be submitted every year (by April 30th), because families often experience changes in their financial situation from year to year.

If I don't qualify for the program this year, may I reapply next year?

Yes. A family that does not initially qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.

Do I need to apply for admission to Westlake Christian Academy separately from applying for Variable Tuition?

Yes. For new students, application to Westlake 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 child's chances of being admitted to the school?

No. Admissions applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admissions process.

Are all admitted students offered Variable Tuition if the family qualifies?

No. Budgetary considerations limit the Variable Tuition program, so that a student may be admitted to the school but placed on a waiting list for Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible.

Whom should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition?

Questions should be directed to our business manager, Claudette Gearhart, cgearhart@westlakechristianacademy.org, (847) 548-6209, extension 2004.