Tuition and Fees

Think you can’t afford private school tuition?

Think again. Trinity Christian School offers Variable Tuition. Tuition at Trinity is not “one-size-fits-all.” It’s a range. A range that spans from $7,900 - $15,800 for grades K through 6 and $10,225 - $20,450 for grades 7 through 12. Variable Tuition adjusts tuition rates to meet your family’s unique financial position. No family at Trinity Christian School pays the full cost of education.

What is Variable Tuition?

Variable Tuition is a need-based tuition assistance program similar to those used by many private schools, colleges, and universities. This program allows families to apply for reduced tuition that is right for their financial situations, making a Trinity Christian School education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.

Variable Tuition makes Christian education accessible to more families by charging a tuition rate based on a family’s specific financial situation. Variable Tuition is a need-based financial aid structure. Any family in need of financial help may apply.

Variable Tuition FAQs

Variable Tuition FAQs

How Does Variable Tuition Work?

Families concerned about their ability to pay $15,800 for a Lower School student or $20,450 for an Upper School student may apply to demonstrate need for a different tuition rate.

Many factors are considered when determining the tuition amount a family is able to pay, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family. The resources available for the family in a given year must also be considered in light of the funds available at Trinity Christian School.

An application for Variable Tuition does not affect the re-enrollment or admission process. Regardless of financial need, parents should start the admission process as early as possible. Families may apply for Variable Tuition only after they have started an application for admission to the school.

It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the appropriate tuition level for a family without the completion of a Variable Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to FAST, a third-party agency. FAST evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Variable Tuition team. Families are notified of the tuition rate assigned through an email or letter from the Business Office.

Unfortunately, the school is not able to provide Variable Tuition to every deserving student. We work within the available resources to make the school accessible to as many students and families as possible.

Do I need to apply to Trinity Christian School to receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition Rate?

Once my Variable Tuition application and all supporting documentation have been submitted, how long will it be before I receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition Rate?

The first round of Variable Tuition decisions is typically communicated by March 31 to those families who have submitted all the required information to our confidential third-party service by February 28. Applications submitted after the initial deadline are processed as soon as possible and typically receive a determination within two weeks after the application and required documentation have been submitted.

What is the cost to apply for Variable Tuition?

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This is the best thing we've ever done in our lives for our children.

Charlie Helm
Trinity Parent

Vanderpoel Scholarship

Vanderpoel Scholarship

Established in 2023 in honor of Dr. David Vanderpoel, who served as Trinity Christian School's fourth Head of School for 18 years. The Vanderpoel Scholarship will be awarded each year to one or two Trinity Christian School students who exhibit excellence in the form of a written essay response to a unique prompt. The winning essay(s) will display creative imagination, original interpretation, biblical insight, and historical context in relation to the prompt. Winner(s) will receive a $3000 prize.

Timeline

Each fall, sophomores and juniors will be invited to author an essay from a prompt, likely a quote, provided by Dr. Vanderpoel.

Criteria

Dr. Vanderpoel will provide a new prompt each year. The prompt will encourage thought in any direction, and the writer can go anywhere with it. Entries will be judged based on the following criteria:

Interpretation of prompt
Originality
Imagination
Understanding of conventional theories
Biblical integration
Historical context
Creative use of language
Formatting and grammar

Eligible Students

Sophomores and juniors who have attended TCS at least one full school year
New enrollees to TCS may not enter
Past winners may not enter

Word Count

1000-1250 words (4-5 pages)

Submission Deadline

February 20

Independent Selection

The Office of the Head of School will organize the entries, remove student names from essays, and assign each a number. The essays will then be sent to Dr. Vanderpoel to read and select the winner(s). Entries will remain anonymous until after the winner(s) are chosen. When the selection process is complete, Dr. Vanderpoel will be given the names of each entrant so he may correspond with entrants regarding their essays.

“Vanderpoel Scholar” Winners Announcement

The winner(s) will be announced at the awards assembly at the end of each school year.

Prize

Winners(s) will receive $3,000 in the form of a $2,500 reduction in tuition for the following school year and a $500 check given directly to the student(s) at the time of the announcement. The winning student(s) may list “Vanderpoel Scholar” on their college applications. Winners who do not attend TCS the following school year will forfeit the tuition portion of the award. The tuition portion of the scholarship, as well as the number of winners, is subject to change over time, if funding allows.

Tuition and Fees

Full-time tuition includes all textbooks and curriculum, whether in printed or electronic form. It also includes a copy of the yearbook for each student and most field trips.

Domestic Tuition Rates for 2023-2024

Lower School (Grades K-6)	$7,900- $15,800
Upper School (Grades 7-12)	$10,225 - $20,450

Fees (all are nonrefundable)

Domestic Application Fee

September 1 - November 30	$100 Per Student
December 1 - August 31	$150 Per Student

Tuition Deposit

$1,200 per student
Due upon acceptance of admission. Reserves student seat and is applied toward tuition.

New Family Facility Fee

$750 per family
One-time payment due upon acceptance of admission.

Uniform Expenses

All students are required to wear uniforms. These may be purchased from Flynn & O’Hara Uniform Company; some items may be obtained through a free uniform exchange on campus.

Trinity has been one of the greatest gifts given to us by God. While it has been difficult financially, it has always been worth the small sacrifices we make.

How to Apply for Variable Tuition

Submit an application for admission to Trinity Christian School.
Access the FAST website to begin the online financial aid application.
To be included in the first round of Variable Tuition decisions, applications, including
required supporting documents, must be completed by February 28.

Instructions

The application process is self-guided and allows navigation in and out of the program. FAST provides online customer support via email and a 24/7 telephone call center. The Variable Tuition application for the 2023-2024 school year is now open.

Admission Office Contact Information

Christy Hume
Director of Admission
703.273.8787 x112
chume@tcsfairfax.org

Vanessa Watson
Assistant Director of Admission
703.273.8787 x111
vwatson@tcsfairfax.org

Carolyn Stombock
Administrative Assistant
703.273.8787 x111
cstombock@tcsfairfax.org