Tuition

For more than 75 years, parents have chosen a Portland Christian Schools education for their children.
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With Portland Christian’s

VARIABLE TUITION

an excellent Christian education has never been more affordable!

Education is a long-term investment in your child’s future. From Kindergarten through 12th grade, each student will spend over 15,000 hours in school. Every one of those hours impacts their mind, their heart, and their spirit. You as a family can choose the school that will influence your children for life. At PCS, students are given the opportunity to learn and grow in an environment that cultivates academic excellence, promotes extracurricular interests, and nurtures a sense of community — all built upon a solid biblical foundation. Our exceptional faculty is dedicated to helping your children develop their full potential within a loving Christian environment.

You may ask, “Can I afford to send my kids to PCS?” Perhaps the question should be … “Can I afford not to?”

Education at any school has a cost, and we realize that financing a Christian education can present a challenge for some families. We get it! The cost of tuition shouldn’t stand in the way of pursuing your dream for your children’s future.

That’s why PCS is pleased to offer Variable Tuition for grades K – 12. Tuition at PCS is not “one-size-fits-all”–it’s a range. Variable Tuition adjusts tuition rates to meet your family’s unique financial position. Want to learn more? Watch the video and check out the FAQ’s below!

2024 – 2025
Variable Tuition Ranges
Annual Rates

Where a particular family falls within the variable tuition range is based on information provided via the Variable Tuition Application.
The full tuition amount is for families who do not qualify or choose not to apply for Variable Tuition.

GRADE	FULL TUITION	LOWEST VARIABLE RATE
Kindergarten	$8,555	$4,278
Elementary (Grades 1 – 5)	$9,525	$4,763
Middle School (Grades 6 – 8)	$10,770	$5,385
High School (Grades 9 – 12)	$12,990	$6,495

No family pays 100% of the cost of education. Donations, revenue-generating activities, and fundraising events contribute an education discount for EVERY PCS student. The full tuition amount represents only about 85% of the actual cost to educate a student at PCS.

“Considering the cost [to the family] per student at Portland Christian is much less than the national average, public or private, we are amazed by the quality of education our tuition dollars provide. There is great value in the teachers, programs, and community we receive from Portland Christian.” – Lisa Lew, PCS Parent

Variable Tuition FAQs

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 family’s financial situation. This makes a Portland Christian education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.

How Does Variable Tuition Work?
Any domestic family (current or new) of a kindergarten through 12th grade student may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the full tuition rate at Portland Christian and they think they may qualify for the program. 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 Variable Tuition awards available at PCS. An application for Variable Tuition does not affect either a current family’s continuous enrollment or a new family’s admission process. Regardless of financial need, parents should proceed with enrollment as early as possible. It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of a Variable Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to FACTS Grant and Aid a third-party agency. FACTS evaluates the application based on criteria set by the school and makes a recommendation to the school’s Tuition Advisory Committee. Families are notified of the tuition level for which they qualify from the school’s 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.

Is there a cap on the availability of Variable Tuition?
Portland Christian Schools strives to help as many families as possible with our Variable Tuition program. Families who need help affording Portland Christian should apply for Variable Tuition early in the application season. The availability of discounts varies based on the number of applicants and funding available for the program.

Do I need to apply to Portland Christian Schools to receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition?
Yes. Your Variable Tuition application will be evaluated after your Application for Admission and application fee have been received.

Upon completion of my Variable Tuition application, when will I receive confirmation of my Variable Tuition?
Applications for Variable Tuition are reviewed on a rolling basis. You will generally hear from us within 2 weeks of providing all the required information to our confidential third-party service, but the time may be longer during peak seasons.

Is Variable Tuition a loan program?
No, the amount of reduced tuition will never need to be repaid.

What if my family’s financial circumstances change mid-year?
A job loss, illness, or other circumstance may adversely impact a family’s financial situation. You may submit a written request for reconsideration to the Business Office, based on a change in circumstances.

What is the application cost for Variable Tuition?
FACTS requires a $40.00 non-refundable Grant & Aid Application fee.

Should every returning Portland Christian family submit an application for Variable Tuition?
No. Only families who feel that they may not able to pay the upper end of the Variable Tuition range should submit an application.

Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year?
Yes. A new application must be submitted every year.

If I do not qualify for the program this year, can I apply again next year?
Yes. A family who does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.

What kind of economic situation is typical of a family who qualifies for Variable Tuition?
Families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to the upper end of the range to those who are able to afford the lower end. Many factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.

Are some families awarded full tuition?
No. Every family is required to make a financial investment in their child’s education. Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in that investment with you. No family will receive Variable Tuition that is less than our published range.

Will Variable Tuition lead to larger classes?
No. The Portland Christian School Board has established maximum class sizes that cannot be surpassed. Within those limits, we will continue to accept qualified, mission-appropriate students.

Who should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition?
Questions about Variable Tuition should be directed to:
Jennifer Loffink, Financial Officer
jennifer.loffink@pcschools.org
503.256.3960 x206

Should every new Portland Christian family submit an application for Variable Tuition?
No. Only families who feel that they may not be able to pay the upper end of the Variable Tuition range should submit an application.

Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year?
Yes. A new application must be submitted every year.

If I do not qualify for the program this year, can I apply again next year?
Yes. A family who does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.

Do I need to apply for admission separately from applying for Variable Tuition?
Yes. For new students, application to Portland Christian School and application for Variable Tuition are separate processes conducted by different teams. New families may submit a variable tuition application after applying for admission. Please request variable tuition application information from the Admissions Director during your admissions process.

Will applying for Variable Tuition hurt my student’s chance of being admitted to the school?
No. Admission applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.

Are all admitted students offered Variable Tuition if the family qualifies?
No. Unfortunately, the school does not have the ability to offer Variable Tuition to every student who qualifies for both admission and Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible.

What if I determine that I am unable to pay the Variable Tuition amount I have been awarded?

If after being notified of your Variable Tuition amount you determine that the award is not sufficient for your student to attend PCS, you may withdraw your Application for Admission.

Who should I contact with questions about Variable Tuition?
Questions about Variable Tuition should be directed to:

Nicole Curtis, Admissions Director
admissions@pcschools.org
503.867.9214

Additional opportunities to help make tuition affordable

Family cap of $31,775: No family will be asked to pay more than the cap for children enrolled in kindergarten through high school, regardless of the number of children enrolled.
Pre-pay discount: Families who pay in full by May 31, 2024, for the 2024 – 2025 school year will receive a 2% discount. (Families paying less than the upper end of the Variable Tuition range do not qualify for this discount.)
Flexible payment plans: You may opt to pay tuition over 10 months, 12 months, by semester, or in a single payment. Choose the payment plan that works best with your family’s budget.
Scholarships: PCS offers several scholarships each spring for students in all grades.