Blog

Private school is more affordable than you might think. Though tuition and fee payments can seem like a lot at first, there are many options that private schools provide to families that make these payments affordable. Most schools provide financial aid, scholarships and payment plans. Furthermore, if you are looking for a private school in the state of Florida, such as private middle schools in Tampa FL, additional state scholarships are available.
 

Finding the right fit

First and foremost, you should find a school that fits your family’s values and needs. If you are looking for a Christian education for your child, you should look for a private Christian school. If STEM is important to you, look for a school with a good STEM program.

Additionally, it is beneficial to compare tuitions of different schools that meet your needs. Some schools ask for tuition that is unreasonable for what the school provides. Other schools do not provide financial aid or scholarships. These are things to take into consideration when searching for a private school.
 

Financial aid

Most private schools provide some type of financial aid. Financial aid helps cover some of the cost of tuition, and in some cases fees as well. Unfortunately, many families think that they will not qualify because of their household income. They think that they make too much to be eligible, so they do not apply. However, the average salary of families who apply for financial aid is $100-150K, and many families receive some financial support. You will not know if your family qualifies unless you apply, so we recommend that you do!
 

School scholarships
 

There are a number of scholarships available to help with tuition costs. Many private schools offer scholarships, including athletic, merit-based, and academic scholarships. Scholarships benefit both the school and families. The school has the opportunity to attract a more diverse group of students, and families can take advantage of the lower tuition rates.
 

State scholarships

The School Choice Office through the Florida Department of Education has a number of different scholarships for families. If you are looking for a school in the state, such as private middle schools in Tampa FL, or an elementary or high school, your family or child might be eligible for these scholarships:

Scholarships for low-income families.

The maximum qualifying income has raised over the past year so that more families are eligible for this resource.

Scholarships for dependents of military personnel.

Scholarships for children with disabilities/special needs and siblings of children with special needs.

What is considered a “disability” varies widely among private schools. This definition greatly depends on what each school can accommodate. Your child may not be accepted into a school, not because they do not want you there, but because they do not have the resources to provide assistance that will benefit your child.

Some disabilities that many schools recognize include ADHD, Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), speech and language impairments, developmental delays, mental and emotional disorders, and physical impairments that require accommodation.

Students that have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) or a 504 from public schools are eligible for the McKay scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (FES-UA). Both these scholarships are in place to help fund a family’s choice of a private education for their child with disabilities.
 

Financing plans

Most private schools also offer financing plans for families. These payment plans are in place to alleviate the burden of having to pay tuition in full. Instead, these plans allow you to pay smaller monthly fees throughout the school year.

South Tampa Christian Schools

Are you looking for a private Christian school for your child? We might be a great fit for you. Bayshore Christian School is a South Tampa Christian School for grades pre-K through 12th grade. We offer low tuition rates, as well as financial aid, payment plans and scholarships for additional support.

Contact us, today, if you have any questions about financing, as well as if you have any general questions about our programs!