Founder has 19 years experience as an administrator in Christian education. “I understand Christian education, and I have been where you are!”

FFNA has been doing financial aid assessments since 1991. Financial aid assessments are our primary business.

FFNA believes that financial need is best determined by looking at one’s income rather than income plus expenses.
("Personal example as to why we came to this conclusion in our own school years ago: A parent called to see how much money she was going to receive for financial aid. When she was told that the financial aid committee would not meet until the following week, she said, “Well, I have to know right now because we’re leaving tomorrow to go to Disney World.”) FFNA concluded that it is impossible to assess what are legitimate expenses versus expenses that are incurred by poor choices. Our formula does take into consideration normal expenses, and we do look at extraordinary expenses such as outstanding medical costs not covered by insurance and any changes that may occur in a family’s income such as a divorce or loss of job.

FFNA’s desire is to help schools charge what it costs to operate a school in order to offer a school of excellence. At the same time FFNA encourages families to participate in Christian education regardless of their socio-economic status.
FFNA’s formula for assessment of need is based upon biblical principles found in II Corinthians 8: 13-15:

“Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: ‘He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little.’”

FFNA does not ask the question “How much do you estimate you or your spouse can pay toward your child’s tuition."
Most families have more expendable income than they realize by changing their spending habits, such as not eating out as often, by not driving a new car, etc. Our experience has been that families will request more aid than they often qualify for based upon need assessments. Receiving aid should be viewed by the family as a positive factor rather than a disappointment because the family did not receive as much aid as they asked for. Financial aid should always be need-based rather than emotional-based.

FFNA generally does not recommend including in the financial aid assessment college tuition or tuition for other private schools.
With FFNA’s formula, it would be to the parent’s advantage to have all the children in the same school because income is compared to the total tuition cost. To use other schools’ tuition, such as college, means that the school funding the financial aid (our client schools) would be supplementing the tuition at other institutions. In many instances those who qualify for aid with FFNA will also qualify for some financial assistance in college through either Pell Grants, work-study programs, etc. However, FFNA does work with sister school situations, and adjustments can be made to assist a school in this area should the school desire.

The application is simple and parent-friendly.
Applications are available both in paper form from your school as well as on-line by clicking here.

Different processing times are available to meet the needs of the parents and the school.
Regular processing (paper application) assessments are returned to the school in approximately four weeks. On-Line Regular assessments are returned to the school in approximately two weeks. Fast Back assessments (both paper applications and on-lines) are returned to the school in approximately 2 – 3 business days. Schools normally do not have to utilize the Fast Back service if they assign mail deadlines for their parents; however, the Fast Back is available for many parents who wait to the last minute to apply or for those who register late.

Cumulative Board Reports and Tracking Reports are available on-line for daily review; however, friendly, knowledgeable customer service representatives are also available whenever you have a question or need.

Corrections, changes (such as children added or removed), and appeals are available at no charge to the school or to the parent. An Appeal Form may be downloaded by clicking here

Reports may be sent to the school via e-mail, fax, or U.S. mail, per school’s preference.

Schools have the ability to determine a maximum amount of aid to be received by the parent.

FFNA offers an Adjustment Rate click here at no charge that allows schools to stay within their financial aid budget.
(Once all assessments have been completed, we will determine your adjustment rate by dividing your financial aid budget by the total aid for which the parents qualified. We will then recalculate and run new reports using the adjustment rate to assure that you do not exceed your budget.)

Customization or adjustments are available to meet specific school needs.
Just give our office a call to discuss your needs.