Affordable Tuition

Iowa 529 accounts can be used to fund K-12 tuition paid to an accredited State of Iowa school.   A 529 Plan is an after-tax investment account that grows tax free if distributions are used for qualified educational expenses. Pella Christian Grade School is an accredited State of Iowa school and our tuition is a qualified 529 account expense.  The State of Iowa guidelines state that the maximum 529 distribution per K-12 student is $10,000 per calendar year and payment can only be applied towards tuition.  If you participate in the Iowa 529 educational savings plan, please have qualified distributions made and sent directly to PCGS. 

What is this? 
Families are eligible for assistance through this state-funded tax credit program if their income as shown on line 6 of their IRS Form 1040 for the 2019 tax year) is not more than three times the poverty rate (based on the size of their family). Below is a chart that shows qualifying level for families of two through seven members.

STO Qualifying Levels 2019-2020* 

Family Size**                 Maximum Income***
Two                               $50,730
Three                            $63,990
Four                              $77,250
Five                               $90,510
Six                                 $103,770
Seven                             $117,030

*STO qualifying levels are based upon 300% of 2019 Federal Poverty Levels as required by Iowa law.

**Family size includes parent(s)/guardian(s) plus total number of dependents claimed on 2018 tax return.

***For each additional dependent add $13,260.

How do we apply? 
Families apply by filling out the STO application form on-line at www.logsto.org/application-info.cfm and submitting a copy of page 1 of their 2018 tax return to a third-party organization who verifies the eligibility and informs the school. Please call the school office if assistance is needed in filling out this form. Deadline for application is April 30, 2020 (late filers are awarded funds if there are funds still available).

What is the amount of the scholarship? 
This depends on the individual family’s needs. Eligible families are assigned a “point value” based on their income levels and the school uses that point level to determine the amount of the award. The more demonstrated need, the higher the point value, the bigger the award. Tuition Assistance Fund

What is this? 
Families who are in need of additional assistance to pay their tuition obligation are eligible to apply for assistance through this fund. Application for these funds takes place in April with the awards being made during the summer. However, families are welcome to apply for financial support at anytime throughout the year as we are aware of circumstances that can arise at anytime that might create a financial need.

How do we apply? 
Application for tuition assistance is made through FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. Go to https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3Z9Q6 to fill out the application and attach all the supporting documentation needed. There is a nonrefundable application fee of $35 to apply. Priority deadline is April 30, 2019. For questions about or assistance with this form, please contact the school office.

What is the amount of the scholarship? 
The finance committee reviews the application and financial information and makes the determination of the award.

What is this? 
The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP) is a program in which you purchase and use gift cards instead of cash or credit cards to places you normally shop. The businesses involved give a percentage of that purchase back to the school as a reduction in your tuition the following year.

How do we apply? 
This program is run by Pella Christian Grade School. Contact them at the PCGS office at 641-628-2414 or emailing trip@pellachristian.net for an application. For more information on this program click here to be connected to their page.

Who can participate?

• A family with children currently enrolled at PCGS or PCHS
• A family who plans to have children at PCGS or PCHS someday
• A grandparent who wants to help their children reduce their tuition payment
• A supporter PCGS or PCHS who wants to help the General Tuition Fund to lower tuition for everyone
• Anyone may participate in the TRIP program.

What does it involve?
It means you would use gift certificates (instead of cash, checks, or credit card) to purchase items you normally buy.  The businesses involved, locally and nationally, will give a percentage of your purchase back to our school to help reduce tuition.

How often do I have to use it?
As frequently or infrequently as you choose.  Of course, the more you use it, the more beneficial it is to you or the school.

What does it involve?  
It means you would use gift certificates (instead of cash, checks, or credit card) to purchase items you normally buy.  The businesses involved, locally and nationally, will give a percentage of your purchase back to our school to help reduce tuition.

How often do I have to use it?
As frequently or infrequently as you choose.  Of course, the more you use it, the more beneficial it is to you or the school.

What is this? 
PCHS has an endowment that exceeds $4.5 million. Each year we use a % of the value of the endowment and distribute that evenly to each student in the high school.

How do we apply? 
This is an automatic award so there is no application form required. Every enrolled student gets the endowment award credited to them PRIOR to the setting of the tuition amount so this award does not change the tuition cost but rather keeps the tuition cost down for all families by the amount of the award.

What is the amount of the scholarship? 
The amount of the award is different each year since it is based on a % of the value of the total endowment fund. The value is tied to the market and is based on the balance of the total endowment fund.