Tuition and Financial Aid
At Desert Christian Schools, we encourage all students to apply, regardless of financial concerns. Our commitment is to ensure that every admitted student has the opportunity to attend, no matter their economic situation. With over 87% of our student body receiving financial aid, tuition should never be a barrier. Explore our financial aid options below to learn more.
Family Testimonial
We love that Arizona Tax Credits makes school choice possible and affordable! The Overflow/Plus and Corporate scholarships helped our family provide our children with the best learning opportunity possible. We are so thankful that our children can benefit from a Christ-centered education. It's a dream come true!
Mein Family
Financial Aid
DCS has three types of Financial Aid which families can receive: Tax Credit Scholarships, Empowerment Scholarship, and In-House Assistance.
We are proud to offer discounts to those who serve in full-time ministry, the military, public service, or have multiple children enrolled in the school. We encourage all families to look at the options below and reach out with any questions.
For questions, please call our Business Office at 520-901-5499 ext. 5.
Tax Credit Scholarships
Tax Credit Scholarships
Desert Christian Schools believes every family deserves the opportunity to send their child to the school of their choice. Tax Credit Scholarships will reduce the cost of tuition and can fully fund a child’s education.
Because DCS is a private school, we do not receive funding from the state. Our expenses are paid solely by tuition and fundraising. We do our very best to keep the cost of tuition low.
Since 1997 we in the State of Arizona have been blessed with the Tuition Tax Credit program. In 2015 Arizona’s Tax Credit Law was ranked Number One in the nation by the Center for Education Reform. Tax Credits give Christian parents true school choice, making Christian education affordable!
Historically, before Universal ESA, 75% of our students received some form of tax credit scholarship funding. 30% of those students were fully funded by tax credit scholarships! Are you taking advantage of this program? Are you redirecting your state taxes to this program?
Here are a few links to our most used School Tuition Organizations, to the Department of Revenue's entire list of STO's, and to information about the Empowerment Scholarship Account Program.
- Original Individual - Financial Need Based or Recommended
- Plus/Switcher/Overflow Scholarships - Financial Need Based or Recommended
- Low-Income Corporate Scholarships
- Corporate Displaced/Disabled Scholarships
Original Individual - Financial Need Based or Recommended
- Most common scholarship
- Eligibility requirements:
- K - 12 student enrolled full-time at a private school
- Preschool student with a public school MET or IEP enrolled full-time at a private school
- Families will:
- work to educate family members and friends about the scholarship
- encourage family and friends to allocate their AZ Private School Tax Credit on your child's behalf through the Recommended Funds Program
- Caps:
- Income: None
- Maximum Scholarship Amount: None
- Solicitation: Up to twelve (12) years
Plus/Switcher/Overflow Scholarships - Financial Need Based or Recommended
- Eligibility requirements:
- K - 12 student enrolled full-time at a private school
- Preschool student with a public school MET or IEP enrolled full-time at a private school
- And must meet one of the criteria listed below:
- Entering kindergarten
- Transferring from an Arizona public or charter school with at least one full semester of attendance in the prior school year
- Dependent of active duty military stationed in Arizona on orders
- Previous Low-Income Corporate, Displaced/Disabled or PLUS Awards recipient
- Eligible families may apply for financial aid and solicit through the Recommended Funds Program
- Caps:
- Income: None
- Income: None
Low-Income Corporate Scholarships
- Eligibility requirements:
- K - 12 student enrolled full-time at a private school
- Preschool student with a public school MET or IEP enrolled full-time at a private school
- Family income is equal to or below 185% of the federal free and reduced-price lunch program guidelines (Please see Caps below)
- And must meet one of the criteria listed below:
- Entering kindergarten
- Transferring from an Arizona public or charter school with at least one full semester of attendance in the prior school year
- Dependent of active duty military stationed in Arizona on orders
- Previous Low-Income Corporate, Displaced/Disabled or PLUS Awards recipient
- Caps:
- Income:
Household Size Family Income 2 $69,956 3 $88,369 4 $106,782 5 $125,195 6 $143,608 7 $180,434
- Income:
Corporate Displaced/Disabled Scholarships
- Eligibility requirements (Must meet one of the following criteria):
- Preschool student enrolled full-time in a qualified preschool program with an Arizona public school IEP or MET
- The IEP or MET does not have to be current
- K-12 student enrolled full-time with an Arizona public school IEP, MET, or 504 plan
- The IEP, MET, or 504 do not have to be current
- K-12 student enrolled full-time that has been placed in the Arizona foster care system at one time
- Will be verified by the Arizona Department of Child Safety
- Preschool student enrolled full-time in a qualified preschool program with an Arizona public school IEP or MET
Desert Christian Schools and The Institute for Better Education will host Financial Aid Workshops throughout the year. These workshops will explain how to apply for, how to give, and how to raise funds for these scholarships. Feel free to bring family and friends. Everyone can benefit from this information!
The following dates have been scheduled for the 2024-2025 school year:
Financial Aid Workshops
7525 E. Speedway Blvd.
- Tuesday, February 11th at 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, March 18th at 6:00 pm
- Tuesday, April 8th at 6:00 pm
PLEASE NOTE: The Institute for Better Education (IBE) will be present at every workshop, along with Desert Christian School employees to answer questions.
Empowerment Scholarships (ESA)
Universal ESA Eligibility:
To receive ESA funding, you must do all three of the following:
- Click here to apply. Confirm you are applying for the correct school year.
- If applicable, resolve any application deficiencies within 30 days of the initial incomplete notice by ADE
- Sign your contract within 30 days of receiving the link from ADE
For those applicants who meet the criteria specified above, ESA funding will be applied retroactively.
Funding & Next Steps: Once a signed ESA contract is received by the Department of Education, ESA staff will work with both the Treasurer’s Office and ClassWallet to open and fund the account, this process can take at least 3 weeks, however, due to the volume, it may take longer. Account holders will receive an email from ClassWallet when funds are available.
Other ESA Eligibility Categories: There is no retroactivity clause for any applicants other than Universal ESA applicants.
Link to frequently asked questions: Click Here!
In-House Tuition Assistance
Scholarships, In-House Financial Aid, Discounts, and Awards
Desert Christian Schools' Tuition Assistance Program is a needs-based program. This means that the completion of the requirements outlined does not guarantee the awarding of scholarships or financial aid.
All awards are based on the verification of need and are dependent on the current financial resources available. It does not apply to lunches or After Care.
We encourage all who are in genuine need to apply!
Funds are awarded on a first come, first serve basis. For re-enrolling families, the application deadline is September 1st. For new families, the application deadline is six weeks following the date of acceptance.
DCS Financial Aid
If a family has needs beyond what the above awards provide, there may be additional funding available. The DCS community generously donates to annual fundraising efforts specifically designated for the DCS Financial Aid Fund. Distribution of those funds is dependent upon the amount available for the current school year. Families with exceptional financial need may receive up to 50% annual tuition assistance.
Aid is awarded for the current school year only. Financial Aid applications received by the upcoming school year deadline will be given first priority. However, as needs arise, applications are accepted year-round and will be awarded at the discretion of the Financial Aid Committee with regard to the amount of funds available.
DCS Discounts
Multi-Child: Families that have two or more children enrolled may receive up to a $200/year award per child.
Ministry/Pastoral: Parents/Guardians whose sole occupation is full-time ministry (church or parachurch non-profit Christian organizations), and you can provide evidence that family income is from ministry, may receive up to a 50% award.
Military: Families who are active military and can provide evidence that family income is from military may receive up to a 10% award.
Public Service: Families employed by schools, fire departments, or law enforcement, and can provide evidence that family income is from public service may receive up to a 10% award.
How to Apply For Financial Aid
Step One
(K-12 Only. Preschool Skip to Step Two)
DCS Families applying for financial aid must provide evidence that Arizona Tax Credit or Empowerment Scholarship Account opportunities have been maximized for children entering K-12.
Submit to the Head of Schools' Office copies of applications to at least three State Tuition Organizations, along with evidence of requesting Tax Credit donations by family members and friends (e.g. copies of letters). ESA applicants are to provide a copy of their application to the AZ Department of Education.
Step Two
Complete the confidential online Tuition Assistance Application at www.benefaq.com, using DCS school number 11136. A $35 application fee is required (waivers may be available at the discretion of the Head of Schools). If the applicant is awarded financial aid, then a $35 credit will be applied to their school account.
Step Three
Submit the Tuition Assistance Program Checklist (located above under the video) and all required material to the Business Office, to notify them you are applying for Tuition Assistance.
Within 3-5 days of completing the online application, BeneFAQ will provide the Head of Schools' Office a confidential FACT Report (Family Anticipated Contribution Total) from which the level of tuition aid will be determined.
Step Four
Important Additional DCS Financial Aid Requirements
Note: that all recipients of DCS Financial Aid must abide by the following requirements:
• Recipients must keep their school account current, including tuition, fees, and services; without accruing any late fee penalties.
• Students benefiting from DCS Financial Aid must maintain a minimum grade point average of 2.0 (i.e., a “C” grade or higher).
• Students benefiting from DCS Financial Aid must meet all expectations as outlined in the Student Conduct section of the DCS Family Handbook (DCS Family Handbook, Section “Student Conduct”, page 84).
Failure to comply with the above requirements may result in the forfeiture of tuition aid provided and the recipient family will be responsible for payment of the full tuition amount.
School Tuition
Preschool
2025-2026 Tuition
4-5 Year Old Programs
- Bilingual - 5 Full Days (8:00 to 2:30 pm): $9,300
- Bilingual - 5 Half Days (8:00 to 11:50 am): $6,800
3-4 Year Old Programs
- 5 Mornings/Week (8:00 to 11:50 am): $6,800
- 4 Mornings/Week (8:00 to 11:50 am) : $6,000
- 3 Mornings/Week (8:00 to 11:50 am): $5,000