Financial Aid

Apply for Financial Aid

Our Financial Philosophy

While we believe that choosing a private school education is worth the investment, we understand that many families are in the difficult position of weighing its value against the affordability of tuition. If you desire a Christian education for your child, we will do our best to work with you to make that a reality.

Our Financial Aid Program

At West Hills Christian we are more than a school, we are a ministry. 

West Hills Christian School offers need-based financial aid to qualifying applicants. We use a third party service, FACTS, to evaluate applicants and recommend assistance. If financial aid would open a door for you, we encourage you to apply. (Please note that FACTS charges a $40 application fee.)

Financial Aid FAQs

What types of financial aid does West Hills offer?

West Hills offers need-based financial aid only.

West Hills Christian School uses FACTS Grant and Aid to process financial aid applications. FACTS analyzes the information submitted by families and makes an award recommendation to WHCS. The financial aid committee reviews the recommendations and makes a final decision.

 West Hills does not receive federal money and relies on fundraising efforts to increase available dollars for financial aid. All financial aid awards are confidentially and discreetly administered by the WHCS Financial Aid Committee.

Our WHCS Financial Aid Committee uses the standardized calculation derived by FACTS as an initial guide in allocating assistance. This system considers gross taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, family size and the number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges. After an allowance for basic necessities and required taxes, the remaining funds are considered available for education on a sliding scale by FACTS.

Although West Hills works to keep tuition at a reasonable level, most families adjust their spending priorities, maximize both parents’ earnings, and carefully manage assets to afford tuition. Aid awards vary based on factors that are unique to each family. In the prior year, nearly 20% of our students from families with a wide range of income levels received tuition assistance.

A family must reapply for financial aid each academic year. If the family’s financial circumstances remain approximately the same, the school will make every effort to provide assistance at the same level as the previous year. All tuition and fees must be current to be considered for the upcoming year’s financial aid.

In addition to the application, you will be required to submit:

  • A copy of your most recent tax return, including all schedules and attachments for both parents or sets of parents. We may request a more current tax return as soon as it is available.
  • A copy of your W-2 form(s) for the previous two years for both parent(s) or sets of parents.
  • Additional information as requested.

Please upload these documents to the FACTS website per their instructions with your application. Your final award is dependent on receiving these required documents.

For current families, we will do your best to notify you of your award on February 23, 2024. Your tuition deposit for the following year will not be due until after you have received your award and have had time to review it.

For new families, it takes 7-10 business days to process an application and notify you of your award.

Please add a note to your FACTS application, or upload a letter to the “Documents” section of the application describing your situation.

Financial aid is allocated according to the tuition plan a family chooses. For example, if a family chooses a 10-month plan, the aid award is divided over 10 months and the family pays the remaining tuition due.

Please feel free to direct additional questions to our Accounting Office at 503-977-5505 or our Director of Admissions at 503-977-5509.

Girl student raises hand in class in Portland area school.

Important Dates

Now through August 19, 2024

New families may submit financial aid applications concurrently with enrollment applications. Please note that applying for admission to West Hills Christian and applying for tuition assistance are two separate processes. The final deadline for new families to submit the online application is August 19, 2024. All funds will be awarded by September 1. Tuition assistance is awarded on an annual basis and must be reapplied for each year.

Deadline for current families to submit the online application.

Current families are notified of preliminary awards.

You will receive a final award after your 2023 taxes have been submitted and verified.

Notice of Nondiscriminatory Policy as to Students

West Hills Christian School admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, and national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.