Flexible Tuition Program

List of 10 frequently asked questions.

• What is Flexible Tuition?

  Flexible Tuition is a need-based tuition assistance program similar to those used by many private schools. This program allows families to apply for reduced tuition, taking their financial circumstances into account and making an ICS education affordable to qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.  Instead of “receiving financial aid,” families pay the amount of tuition that makes sense for their financial situation.

• Can I use a 529 Plan to help pay for tuition?

  Yes! On December 22, 2017, Congress passed a new tax reform measure which resulted in an expansion of the 529 college savings plans to save for future education costs. Qualified higher education expenses have been expanded to include K-12 tuition. You are now permitted to take 529 college savings plan distributions of up to $10,000 per beneficiary per year for tuition at an elementary or secondary public, private, or religious school. In addition, rollovers are now permitted from 529 plans to Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. Distributions for K-12 tuition are not available from the Maryland Prepaid College Trust. Click here for more information.

• How do families with multiple households file for Flexible Tuition?

  Each parent/guardian household must submit a separate Flexible Tuition application along with all required documents and forms to be considered for Flexible Tuition. Consideration of all available resources from both parents/guardians and their spouses or live-in partners will be based upon the belief that a family’s contribution for education is a reflection of the ability to contribute, not the willingness to contribute, which is nationally a best practice. As a result, ICS is not bound by existing decrees, agreements, or arrangements exempting a parent from financial responsibility for their child’s education. All financial information is kept strictly confidential and at no time will one household have access to the others’ information.
  
  In the event that a parent is no longer involved in the life of the child in any way, please speak directly with our office to determine how to proceed. ICS awards a single Flexible Tuition award to the student and it is the responsibility of the parents to determine a payment schedule structure. 

• Is there a discount for siblings?

  ICS does not offer multi-child discounts. However, our Flexible Tuition Program does take into account the number of children from a family enrolled in tuition-charging schools. 

• What are the benefits of a Flexible Tuition program?

  The Flexible Tuition program enables Indian Creek School to make our exceptional education accessible to a broader range of well-qualified students, who otherwise may not have been able to attend our school. This enriched community benefits all students at Indian Creek School. A diverse socio-economic community is best for learning, and is intrinsic to the Indian Creek School philosophy and mission. Flexible tuition helps to bring this diversity to the Indian Creek community in a way that is sustainable for the School.

• Does applying for Flexible Tuition affect the admission decision?

  An application for Flexible Tuition has no impact on a student's admission decision. The admission process and Flexible Tuition application process happen simultaneously, and separately. Once a student is admitted to Indian Creek, the Flexible Tuition award will be included with the student's contract, provided that the application for Flexible Tuition was completed in a timely manner relative to the admission process.

• Does every family need to submit financial information to the School?

  No, only those families who feel they are unable to pay full tuition and want to apply for a reduced tuition amount need to submit financial information. Families will submit documentation through SSS to complete their flexible tuition application.

• If we receive a Flexible Tuition award and feel that we still cannot afford to send our child, is there an appeal process.

  Families may appeal a Flexible Tuition decision by submitting a written appeal outlining the reasons why they feel the Flexible Tuition amount is not sufficient. The appeal should include itemized expenses and a breakdown focused on the tuition cost and not the ICS expects that any family making an appeal will have reviewed their Flexible Tuition application prior to making an appeal to ensure all information is accurate and up to date. 
  
  Families who apply for Flexible Tuition but do not qualify have several options, including a variety of payment plans.

• Are all school expenses covered through Flexible Tuition?

  Flexible Tuition is only based on the cost of tuition and is not used to offset student fees, meals, support, or transportation. 

• Where do I go with questions?

  Liz Kettering would be happy to help you through the Flexible Tuition process. She can be reached by email through the links above, or by phone at 410-923-3660.