How to Make Private Education Affordable: A Guide for Parents
By Alicia Williamson, Enrollment Director
For many families, the idea of private school seems wonderful in theory — smaller classes, richer curriculum, a community that shares your values — but the question of affordability can feel like a significant obstacle. At Providence Classical School, we think the conversation should start with possibility, not discouragement.
Whether you’re just beginning to explore options or you’ve already visited our campus and love what you see, this guide explains how PCS makes private, classical, Christ-centered education accessible for families across the economic spectrum.
Why Providence Classical School Is Worth Exploring
Providence Classical School offers a classical, Christian education that nurtures both the mind and the heart. Our curriculum is intentionally designed to develop:
• Critical thinking and communication skills
• A love for truth, goodness, and beauty
• Intellectual confidence grounded in faith
Just as important as what we teach is how we teach. PCS is known for its nurturing learning environment, where students are deeply known, encouraged, and challenged. Our teachers love the Lord, love their students, and are experts in their fields. They view teaching not simply as a profession, but as a calling — one that blends academic excellence with intentional discipleship. In every classroom, students encounter instructors who model Christian virtue, pursue truth with humility, and joyfully invest in the lives of the children entrusted to them.
Parents choose PCS because we partner with families in shaping students who are prepared for a life of purpose, service, and excellence to the glory of God. And while this kind of education is rich in value, it doesn’t have to be out of reach financially.
PCS’s Philosophy on Tuition and Financial Aid
At PCS, we view tuition and financial aid not merely as numbers on a spreadsheet, but as expressions of our mission: to make classical, Christian education accessible to as many students as possible.
A Shared Responsibility
We hold three core principles in how we think about school affordability:
1. Education is a primary responsibility of the family.
We trust parents as the primary educators and stewards of their children’s growth.
2. Ability to pay should not be an obstacle.
We recognize that families vary widely in resources, even if they share similar aspirations for their children.
3. Financial aid is a bridge, not a handout.
Aid helps families align their available resources with the real cost of education — on terms that respect dignity and fairness.
This philosophy means that you should apply for financial aid even if you think you might qualify. Families can be pleasantly surprised by the awards they receive when they complete the process.
How Financial Aid at PCS Works
PCS offers need-based financial aid to help families bridge the gap between tuition costs and ability to pay. Aid is available for students in Pre-K through 12th grade. PCS does not offer merit or talent awards — all aid is based on demonstrated need.
Types of Assistance Available
(in the order that they will be applied to your family’s tuition)
1. Texas Education Freedom Accounts (TEFA Program)
Beginning in the 2026–2027 school year, all families eligible for TEFA funding are required to apply for the TEFA in order to be considered for PCS financial aid. Eligible students attending a private school can receive approximately $10,474 per year to use for tuition and approved educational expenses. Read our post “School Choice in Texas: What Senate Bill 2 and the TEFA Program Mean for Families” for more information.
2. Additional External Aid
PCS has families who receive external support including ACE scholarships, Folds of Honor, church support, employer benefits, and other scholarship opportunities.
3. PCS Tuition Assistance
Need-based financial aid takes into account factors such as household income, family size, assets, expenses, and overall ability to afford tuition costs. External aid sources like the TEFA are applied to a family’s determined need prior to PCS tuition assistance so that we can distribute assistance to as many families as possible.
4. Sibling Discounts
These pre-determined tuition reductions are automatically applied to families with multiple children enrolled at PCS simultaneously.
5. Pastoral discounts
Upon eligibility verification, this discount is applied without the need to complete a Financial Aid application.
6. Athletic Fee Assistance
Fee reductions of up to 50% may be available to families receiving need-based financial assistance. Parents who wish to request athletic fee assistance should contact the Athletic Director for more information.
How Awards Are Determined
PCS partners with FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, a third-party service that reviews confidential family financial information. The process considers:
• Household income
• Assets
• Family size
• Number of children in tuition-charging schools
FACTS’s role is to provide a fair, objective recommendation to our Financial Aid Committee.
How Much Aid Can We Receive?
While PCS expects families to contribute toward their child’s education, aid awards vary and are tailored to individual circumstances.
• Total aid awards from all sources can range from about 5% up to 90% of tuition (maximum 60% directly from Providence), depending on need, with most awards ranging from 25-60% of tuition.
• Even middle-income families often qualify for assistance when they have multiple children enrolled. You might be surprised by how many families qualify for some level of aid.
• Financial aid awards can be increased to address exceptional circumstances such as sudden loss of employment or income, significant medical crisis or expenses, death of a parent or guardian, natural disaster, or other catastrophic events.
Annual Reapplication
PCS tuition assistance is evaluated annually. Even if you received assistance one year, you must reapply each year as circumstances can change.
However, TEFA funding does not require reapplication! Once a family qualifies and is awarded funds, the support automatically rolls forward, making it a stable, predictable benefit through high school as long as your child remains in an eligible school.
Practical Tips for Families Exploring Affordability
Beyond financial aid and TEFA funding, there are practical ways families can handle tuition costs without sacrificing other financial goals.
• Reframe Tuition as a Primary Budget Priority
Many families are surprised by how much flexibility appears once tuition is treated like a non-negotiable monthly expense, similar to healthcare or insurance. This doesn’t mean ignoring other obligations, but it sometimes means delaying discretionary spending, driving cars longer, simplifying vacations, or reducing extracurricular costs outside of school. For many PCS families, tuition becomes a family value decision, not just a line item.
• Use Monthly Payment Plans Strategically
Even without financial aid, spreading tuition across 10 months can make a meaningful difference in cash flow. Providence offers flexible tuition payment plans through FACTS, and monthly installments can help align tuition with your family budget. Our 10-installment payment plan does not include a February payment so that the annual (discounted) re-enrollment fee will not present a burden to families.
• Explore Employer Education Benefits
Some employers offer tuition assistance benefits, education reimbursement programs, or flexible benefits that can indirectly support schooling costs. These programs aren’t always well advertised, so it’s worth asking your HR department, even if the benefit wasn’t designed specifically for K–12 education.
• Consider 529 Plans When Appropriate
Although traditionally used for college savings, 529 plans can be used for some K-12 private education expenses up to certain limits. They won’t cover full tuition, but they may help offset smaller costs or provide tax advantages depending on your family’s overall financial plan.
• Coordinate Support from Extended Family
Some families use grandparent or extended-family support as part of their tuition plan. This can look like grandparents contributing monthly instead of giving gifts or relatives covering a portion of tuition as part of estate or legacy planning. Many grandparents are eager to invest in something that shapes their grandchild(ren)’s faith and character for future generations.
• Reduce “Hidden” Education Expenses Elsewhere
Families sometimes discover that private school tuition replaces or reduces other costs, such as tutoring, after-school programs, curriculum purchases, or counseling. A nurturing, academically strong environment with attentive teachers who share your family values can often reduce the need for costly supplemental services.
• Pare Down Extracurriculars
Private school families often simplify schedules by prioritizing school-based activities, limiting high-cost club sports or travel teams, and choosing activities that align with long-term goals rather than short-term pressure. This not only saves money, but it also often improves family rhythms and student well-being.
Next Steps For Families Trying to Afford Private Christian School
If you’re considering Providence Classical School for your child, here’s how to get started:
1. Request information or schedule a tour through our Admissions Page.
2. Apply early! Classes can fill quickly, and with the launch of the TEFA program, more families are expected to apply to private schools in Texas than ever before.
3. Apply for financial aid through FACTS as part of your admissions process. The priority deadline for the PCS financial aid application is February 15.
4. Prepare your TEFA application as soon as possible.
5. Ask questions! Our team is here to help you understand all of your financial options. Contact admissions@pcsclassical.org for more information.
Affordability Is Within Reach!
Affording a private, classical, Christian education may seem daunting, but at Providence Classical School, accessibility is part of our mission.
Through thoughtful financial-aid philosophy, objective need-based assessment, supportive payment options, and emerging state resources like TEFA, we are committed to helping families overcome financial barriers. Many families who once assumed they’d never be able to afford private education are now thriving at PCS — and you might be one of them!
If you’re interested in learning more, we encourage you to reach out to our Admissions Office, explore our financial aid FAQ, and begin the application process sooner rather than later. You may be surprised at what’s possible.
For more information on classical Christian education at Providence Classical School,
watch our film, and schedule a tour today!
About Alicia Williamson:
Alicia Williamson earned her B.S. in elementary education from John Brown University and taught middle school math for four years before leaving to raise a family. She has served as the Enrollment Director at Providence Classical School since 2015. Alicia and her husband, Tim, have one Providence graduate and two children enrolled at PCS.
Read more about classical Christian education on the PCS Blog:
The “Good Soil” of Classical Christian Education
Is it Too Late for My Child to Start Classical Christian Education?
The Ministry of Discipleship: Forming Disciples as a Teacher at Providence
Science in the Classical Christian School
The Classical Studio – Integrating Art in the Classical Christian Classroom
