If you need a little help, or a lot of help, we are here to help.
Applying for additional funding for your student to attend RBCS can seem intimidating and overwhelming. We want to help you understand the details as you navigate the options.
Our goal is to make private Christian school affordable for your family.
Scheduling a tour is the best way to know the particular options for funding, scholarships, and financial assistance that fit your specific needs. Families must apply for the most applicable option below before receiving in house RBCS tuition assistance.
Apply early. Tuition Assistance is determined on an annual basis. Deadlines may apply.
We recommend that you apply for any and all options that may apply to your students.
For best information, please visit the eligibility portion of the Step Up website and the legislative updates.
Application must be made online annually at www.stepupforstudents.org.
Scholarships for Florida residents
Step Up for Students is an umbrella program for several different types of funding. The two most common are the Family Empowerment Scholarship and the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship. RBCS also accepts the HOPE Scholarship.
Click here for eligibility and application.
- Applications are processed in the order they are received (including all supporting documentation).
- Lower income students have funding priority for both, the Florida Tax Credit Scholarship and the Family Empowerment Scholarship.
- While the eligibility criteria between the programs vary, the application is the same for both.
- Renewal students have first priority for both programs.
- Scholarships can be transferred to other eligible schools if the student moves within the state, or simply wants to attend a different participating private school.
- Scholarship payments for private school tuition and fees are sent electronically to the school in which the enrolled child is attending on a quarterly basis. Scholarship payments must be approved by the parent/guardian prior to dissemination of payments.
- Tuition Assistance for children entering 3 or 4 year old Kindergarten is limited to those with special needs. Students entering K5 through 12th grade are eligible (Students entering K5 must be 5 on or before Sept. 1 and students entering 1st grade must be 6 on or before Sept. 1).
No state funded scholarship options may be combined. Award amounts are based on the student’s grade level and county. (Note: The county is the one the student lives in according to their scholarship application.)
Please log onto your Step Up For Students account and check your Application Status often. Award letters must be promptly turned in to the RBCS Business Office.
Click here to apply & for income guidelines, FAQ’s, deadlines, and more.
We recommend that you apply for any and all options that may apply to your students.
For best information, please visit the eligibility portion of the Step Up website and the legislative updates.
Application must be made online annually at www.stepupforstudents.org.
Scholarships for Students with Special Needs
Family Empowerment Scholarship for Students with Unique Abilities (formerly McKay & Gardiner)
Who qualifies for FES/UA?
- Students formerly receiving the McKay scholarship, who have an IEP issued in the state of Florida
- Student who are currently on the Gardiner Scholarship
- Students with significant special needs or unique abilities
- Students with a formal diagnosis from a licensed Florida physician or psychologist
- Military families with a student with unique abilities
- Foster families with a student with unique abilities
- Students as young as 3 and as old as age 22.
No state funded scholarship options may be combined. Award amounts are based on the student’s grade level and county. (Note: The county is the one the student lives in according to their scholarship application.)
Please log onto your Step Up For Students account and check your Application Status often. Award letters must be promptly turned in to the RBCS Business Office.
Click here to apply & for income guidelines, FAQ’s, deadlines, and more.
RBCS Tuition Assistance
Enrollment Fees must be paid to the Business Office before your RBCS or Ministerial application will be assessed.
RBCS In House Tuition Assistance Process
Who qualifies?
- Families must be active members of a Trinitarian church.
- Families must obtain an annual referral from their pastor.
- Families must apply for a Step Up for Students scholarship link before receiving in house financial aid.
- New students must have an active application and be in the Admission Process while applying for aid.
- Families with multiple enrolled children or single parent households are more eligible.
New families may apply for Tuition Assistance at the same time they are applying for admittance to RBCS. Tuition Assistance decisions are only made after a student has completed the enrollment process, including a family interview, and been accepted.
Annual application must be made for returning families.
- Apply for a scholarship at www.stepupforstudents.org. This approval process can take 2-6 weeks. See the section on Scholarships for Florida residents link for more details.
- Complete the RBCS Financial Aid Application.
- Complete the FACTS Grant & Aid Application at www.online.factsmgt.com. There is a $40 FACTS fee per family associated with this application. Financial Aid applicants are subject to an independent evaluation by the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment organization before going to the RBCS Financial Aid Committee for final determination.
- Submit the Pastoral Reference form. Parents must regularly attend and be a member of a local Christian, Trinitarian church to be eligible for RBCS aid.
- Complete enrollment for your child(ren). A student must be Accepted or Reenrolled. This includes payment of enrollment and capital improvement fees or the Reenrollment fee.
Ministerial Scholarship
In recognition of the value of those men and women in a full-time vocational Trinitarian ministry who work to advance the Kingdom of God, RBCS provides this scholarship to enable such persons to obtain a Christian education for their children.
Minister must be the legal guardian of the child(ren) living in their home. Vocational ministers are not necessarily senior pastors, but could fill such full-time roles as associate pastor, youth pastor, children’s pastor, missionary, etc.
- The maximum benefit of this scholarship is 50% of the base tuition due for a family (discount may be less for Special Programs offered at RBCS). This scholarship is applied after all other scholarships and/or financial aid.
Ministerial Scholarship Application
529 Savings Plan
Your 529 Savings Plan can be used to pay for private school tuition. Click here to find out how.