Family Programs
Family Service Program
This program is designed to provide family support in the care and maintenance of our school facilities. Service is an activity required of most students in schools across America today, and it is properly reflected by how we as parents, regard Pella Christian. Together we can make a difference and be excellent examples.
Workings of the program:
- It is under the direction of the Building and Grounds Committee and is approved by the Board of Directors
- A separate committee will supervise the record keeping, banking, and crediting of hours for the families who participate
- It is not the responsibility of the office staff to support this program
- It is intended to enhance the efforts of the maintenance / custodial staff and the upkeep of the properties owned by PCHS
- The $60 fee per family will be applied to the PCHS building only and not the other properties, although work may be done at those sites
- Families that provide four hours of volunteer service will be reimbursed the amount of $60.
Needed:
- Equipment and supplies, on hand and available, for all workers, although we may ask people to bring specific tools for certain projects
- A list of all PCHS families w/telephone numbers and children in each grade
- A listing of (5) preferences for those who signed up to work
- A list of these families who contributed $60 in lieu of working at school
- Notation of those families who provide services in other ways, i.e., donating time, equipment, supplies, etc. during the school year
- Announcement of PCHS needs, published in the PCHS parent newsletter
- Notice to those families who have neither paid or signed up to work
- Expectation that parents will call the "manager" of a specific area of work, and not the school office or custodian
- A list, at the end of the year, that identifies the families who
- participated and met the 4 hour requirement - $60 reimbursement check to be sent
- participated at less than the 4 hour expectations
- didn't participate at all - school keeps the $60 paid at registration
- have their last child graduating
- will be new to the school
This program has been going for four years now and although not perfect, seems to be going well. Please contact Board Members Gene De Bruin (641) 673-7303 or Steve Van Wyk (641) 780-0624 with any questions you may have.
This is God's school, we are His children, and here to serve His purpose. Let's do it with joy and enthusiasm, and for the furtherance of His Kingdom at Pella Christian!
Annual Grant Awards Program
What is the Annual Grant Awards Program (AGAP)?
The goal of the AGAP is to keep the cost of Christian education affordable for as many families as possible. Any family can receive a grant regardless of their student's grade point average in school, and it is not related in any way to athletics, music, or any other type of scholarship. Funding is based on financial need whereas scholarship implies some type of academic, athletic, or musical talent requirement.
How does the program work?
To objectively assess a family's need, the Finance Committee of the Board has established an agreement with Christian School Tuition Assistance Service (CSTAS) of Elizabeth, Illinois, to provide a confidential analysis of the financial information to be submitted by each family. This organization provides an index indicating which families most appropriately deserve financial aid from the grant program. From past experience, it is said that, "Having an objective outside source determine eligibility, including the follow-up of questionable items has helped eliminate the possibility of bad feelings between the school and parents."
Parents are to complete a simple application form listing their income and assets. A required copy of your most recent Federal Income Tax Return gives integrity to the process, plus there is a $14 application fee to be paid by each family, with only 1 application per family. Only families with a genuine need should apply.
Families are indexed by expected family contributions following the same Federal Financial Aid Formula used by most colleges and universities. A provision may be made for those who have had a decrease in their income. The total amount of family aid, when compared to available funds, is defined by the Finance Committee in order to determine the level of assistance each family will receive for the coming school year.
What information will be provided to the school by the Christian School Tuition Assistance Service? Who will have access to the information?
All personal financial information is mailed directly to the Christian School Tuition Assistance Service in Illinois, and not one member of the school constituency will ever see the details of the financial information you submit. There is a confidentiality and non-disclosure statement from CSTAS in the school office that assures it will not reveal or sell to anyone any of the information it receives.
What is the deadline for application?
May 1 is the priority deadline for CSTAS to receive your "Application for Christian School Tuition Assistance" form, so that by the middle of June (before registration) the Finance Committee can make the best possible decisions in the most impartial and timely manner. The application form must not be mailed to Pella Christian High School.
What is the amount that may be granted in assistance?
While some families may receive less of this assistance and some families more, all distribution is based on individual family need and the total amount of funds available. Last year the average grant was equal to about 20% of the cost of education.
What about the annual Pella Christian High School Endowment Fund earnings?
This revenue resource is applied directly to the income side of the general fund, thereby equally reducing the cost of education for every PCHS family. This year, we received a check in the amount of $65,000, which when applied across-the-board, reduced the cost of tuition approximately $235 per student.
Do some families pay more than the actual cost of education to subsidize others?
No, no family pays more than the actual cost of education.
What if my income drastically changes during a school year?
We recognize that these circumstances do occur and when they do, these families should contact the Finance Committee, who with the church, will attempt to find a reasonable solution to current difficulties.
What happens if I don't fill out the application for grant assistance?
Families who do not fill out the application will only be eligible to benefit from the Endowment Fund income. Furthermore, you must send in your application and application fee by the May 1 deadline. Late applications will not be considered.
How does this program relate to the Covenantal Plan in my church?
For those parents participating in a church-sponsored Covenantal Plan, PCHS will send out a statement to each church chairperson, indicating the financial obligation of each family after the Annual Grant Awards have been applied. The chairpersons of the Covenantal Plans in our supporting churches would then be expected to communicate with the families in their church as they did in previous years. Covenantal Plan members and/or chairpersons are encouraged to contact the Finance Committee of the high school if they have questions.