Tuition Assistance

Empowering Access Through Bursaries

As a nonprofit institution, we are dedicated to providing accessible, faith-based education rooted in biblical values to an increasing number of Christian families in Windsor-Essex.

For over four decades, our school has witnessed the incredible sacrifices families have made to provide their children with a Christian education. In the spirit and commitment of our founding families, we strive to keep tuition and fees as affordable as possible by offering payment plans, a family discount model, and ongoing fundraising events.

Understanding that the full tuition rate is still out of reach for some families, generous donors have provided funds to support temporary and ongoing bursaries at Maranatha. Galatians 6:2 reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” These donors have a heart to partner with Maranatha to provided funds for bursaries for new and returning families with demonstrated financial need or those facing exceptional circumstances impacting their ability to pay the full tuition rate.

We are deeply grateful for the unwavering dedication of our community and the generosity of our donors, which allows us to continue our mission of providing quality Christian education.

In our efforts to assist as many families as possible, we are not able to provide 100% tuition assistance. Furthermore, awards are limited based on the funds available. Consequently, some qualified families may not receive aid due to limited resources. MCA awards financial aid without discrimination based on race, colour, or national origin.

Our Process

Our need-based financial aid is awarded annually, and families must reapply each year, as the funds available and financial circumstances can change. Factors such as household income, expenses, assets, debt, and the number of children in tuition-based schools are considered in determining financial aid awards.

Maranatha Christian Academy has partnered with FAST, an independent financial aid assessment company, to process financial aid applications. Using the financial information you provide, FAST will estimate the amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This estimate helps our Bursary Committee make a fair and objective financial aid decision.

1.  Fill out the FAST Form: The application process is designed to be self-guided, allowing you to navigate in and out of the program. You can partially complete an application and return to it later. If you have any questions, FAST offers a helpline that can be reached at 1-877-326-FAST (2378). The application fee is $53.00 USD, payable by credit card (Visa, MasterCard, or American Express) after all sections have been completed. To start your application or to learn more about the FAST application process, please click below.

2.  Bursary Committee: The Bursary Committee will review each application  and determine, based on the bursary criteria’s, how much each applicant family will receive.  All applications are kept confidential.

3. New Tuition Amount: If a bursary is granted, you will receive a communication from the Finance Director detailing your new tuition amount for the school year.

Submit your online application and supporting documents to FAST Grant & Aid Online Application by August 15th.

YEARLY DEADLINES:

April 1: Application opens for the upcoming school year.

May 15: Online applications must be completed and submitted.

May 30: All supporting documents must be submitted to FAST®.

July 15: No later than this date, the Business Office will inform families of the application outcome.

Should additional financial needs become apparent after these deadlines, applications may be reviewed on an ad hoc basis as funds are available.

Bursary Opportunities

We offer several bursaries to help bridge the financial gap. Below are the types of bursaries available, along with their criteria and cap amounts per family.

Bridging the Gap Bursary

This bursary is open to new and current families who wish to enroll at MCA but are unable to afford the full tuition amount.

Criteria:

Family must reside in Windsor-Essex.
Family must accept MCA’s statement of faith.
Family agrees to maintain a prudent and responsible lifestyle with respect to their finances.
Family commits to paying a percentage of the tuition fees.
Family must make every effort to be employed.
Family needs to apply through the FAST system.
If a family is new to MCA, they must complete the admissions process before applying for a tuition bursary.
Families may reapply for this bursary annually.

Cap Amount: up to 40% of tuition amount.

Temporary Tuition Assistance

This assistance is for currently enrolled families facing temporary financial challenges. Temporary tuition assistance is available for a maximum of 2 years.

Criteria:

Family must already be enrolled at MCA.
Facing one or more of the following challenges: job loss, financial debt due to health issues, divorce, loss of a spouse, or single parenthood.
Family is already committed to paying a percentage of the tuition fees.
Family needs to apply for the FAST report.

Cap Amount: up to 75% of tuition amount.

We are committed to supporting our families and working to minimize the impact of financial challenges on access to quality Christian education. While we may not be able to meet every need, we strive to make education as accessible as possible. If you have questions, please contact our office.

Support Our Students

Your generous donation to our Tuition Assistance Fund helps ensure that every child has the opportunity to receive a quality, faith-based education. Join us in making a difference in the lives of students and their families. For more information about our giving opportunities, click below.