FAQ

Financial Aid is need based. Awards are determined on a family's ability to pay.

  • Families applying for financial aid will be evaluated to ensure every effort is being made to meet the tuition on their own.

  • As a general rule, we expect the parent(s)/guardian(s) to pay at least half of the tuition.

  • Financial Aid results in a reduction in the tuition charge. It is not a loan or scholarship nor is it taxable to the family.

  • Financial Aid is only available to full-time, domestic students.

  • Parent(s) and student(s) will be requested to serve school volunteer hours if awarded Financial Aid.

  • The application process is handled independently from BCHS' admissions process.

  • If your 2023 income taxes are not completed, please supply your 2022 tax return and W-2s for 2023. Clarity will use the supplied information to compute estimated federal taxes. Clarity estimates the highest tax a family is likely to pay.

  • There is a $60 application fee, payable by credit card (MasterCard and Visa) or check mailed directly to Clarity.

  • Clarity requires you to have an email account and your computer must be configured to accept cookies in order to complete the application.

  • For your protection, all electronic information is encrypted and saved on a secure dedicated server.

  • The entire application need not be completed in one session. You can return to it using the username and password you established.

  • All required financial documents (including tax returns and pay stubs) are submitted directly to Clarity. Information on uploading or submitting these forms will be given to you during the application process.

  • For assistance in completing the application or for general questions, contact the Clarity family support center at (206) 210-3752. The center offers daytime, evening and weekend hours. Email is also available for communication.

  • No.

    Admission to BCHS is independent from a family's request for Financial Aid

  • A financial aid application may be completed at any time after December 15; however, financial aid will not be awarded until the student has been accepted to attend BCHS or has completed re-enrollment.

  • There are many families who desire a BCHS education, but may not have the means to pay for the entire tuition amount.

  • Funds available for Financial Aid are provided by generous donors and fundraising efforts.

  • No.

    A Financial Aid award reduces your total amount of tuition due. It does not have to be paid back.

  • While we do not require volunteer service hours, the expectation of BCHS is that those receiving financial assistance will volunteer time at the school. You will be required to submit the normal BCHS enrollment contract and financial agreement. Your student must maintain a 2.0 GPA each semester to continue receiving Financial Aid, be a contributing member to the overall student body, and complete volunteer service hours.

  • Yes. We would recommend a secondary school education loan such as Your Tuition Solution.

  • No.

    BCHS does not award scholarships. All financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated economic need.

  • Awards are determined on a family's ability, not willingness to pay. There is no certain income amount that determines your eligibility. We take into consideration income, expenses, assets, liabilities and the number of people in the household.

  • Yes, you are required to apply every year. Each family is distinctive in their financial situation, and financial circumstances rarely remain static. BCHS will consider each family's unique situation every year and make an annual decision on Financial Aid.

  • While BCHS will consider your Financial Aid from a previous year, we will evaluate each year independently based on your current financial situation.

  • College 529 plans let you save money that grows tax-free until you use it for approved college expenses. The 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act allows you to use 529 savings plans to pay up to $10,000 per student per year for private, public or religious elementary, middle, and high school tuition. (This information should not be relied on for tax, financial planning or accounting purposes but is provided for informational purposes only. You should consult your own financial advisors before engaging in any transaction.)

  • Financial Aid funds are applied towards tuition only. Families are still responsible for all other fees and expenses including books, meals, optional student trips, extra curricular fees (i.e. athletics fees or music lessons) and should plan accordingly.

  • Our Financial Aid process is public; however, each family situation is unique. BCHS requests that each family keep the amount of their award confidential and not discuss specifics with other families.

  • Clarity is an independent, third party company that helps BCHS assess and evaluate a family's financial need and ability to pay the BCHS tuition.

  • Clarity does not make any decisions on behalf of BCHS. The final decision rests entirely with Bakersfield Christian.

  • Yes.

    All parents related to the student need to submit their information to Clarity.

  • Yes.

    Only those individuals on the Financial Aid Committee will have access to your personal financial information. BCHS takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information.