Tuition

Base Tuition Payments
(Installments)

Voluntary Equitable Tuition (VET) Payments (Tax-deductible)

This is an addendum to your tuition contract that supports higher faculty and staff salaries and the financial aid program which helps to fund those who otherwise would not be able to attend RCS. Click here for full information and FAQ’s about Voluntary Equitable Tuition.

• Tax deductible
• Participation is voluntary
• Monthly payments billed along with your base tuition payments

Tuition Assistance

A limited amount of tuition assistance is available for families with demonstrated need who would not otherwise be able to send their child to RCS. One of the purposes of financial aid is to increase the economic diversity on campus.

Tuition assistance applications through TADS are due March 1. Awards will be announced by March 10, so parents are encouraged to apply as early as possible. You may still apply after this date if you are a new family or have a significant change in your financial situation, or funds become available when a family offered an award is unable to attend. We also have a Love in Action Fund to help support unexpected financial needs throughout the school year. Click here for financial aid.

There is a $60 application fee. Families whose application shows that they would qualify for free or reduced lunch automatically have this fee waived.

Financial Aid awards will be announced March 10.

If you are eligible for the NC Opportunity Scholarship (see below), you must apply for that along with tuition assistance.

Please contact Business Manager, Margaret Gerleve, at ext. 125 or via email at margaret.gerleve@rainbowlearning.org with financial questions.

Multiple-Child Discount

Families with two or more children enrolled at RCS receive 10% off the second child’s tuition and 15% off the third child’s tuition. Full rate is paid on the highest amount. This discount applies to tuition only and not to any fees.

Vouchers

Accepted for preschool tuition and before- and after-school charges. Please be advised that vouchers will not cover the full cost of preschool tuition & fees; parents must be able to pay the difference. Apply for vouchers as soon as possible by calling Buncombe County Social Services, Childcare Subsidy Unit at 828-250-5500. Information is available at the Buncombe County website.

North Carolina Opportunity Scholarships

If you have a student entering Kindergarten, 1st or 2nd grade for the 23/24 school year, you may be eligible to receive up to $6,492 in Tuition Assistance. If you have a student 3rd grade or older who is attending a public school in Spring 2023, you may be eligible. If you currently receive an Opportunity Scholarship, follow the renewal instructions and timeline sent from their office.

Applications for the 2023-2024 school year open:
February 1st, 2023
Priority Deadline is March 1, 2023

The application process remains open until August 31, 2023, for students to be considered for a full-year award. Applications received after August and before December 31 will be considered for a spring term only award. For more information, visit https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/opportunity.

ESA+ Program

The ESA+ program provides funding for students with disabilities. The application for ESA+ opens March 1. For more information, please see: https://www.ncseaa.edu/k12/esa/

Unenrollment Policy

Families have until March 31, 2023 to withdraw from the contract. After that date, the following policy is used:

The Enrollment or Re-enrollment Contract confirms a family’s commitment to paying tuition at Rainbow Community School or Omega Middle School. The Tuition Agreement confirms the format preferred for tuition payments.

Families desiring to unenroll from Rainbow Community School or Omega Middle School after completing an enrollment or re-enrollment contract will be expected to pay 30% of their tuition if the decision is made prior to July 15th. Families receiving approval for release of contract after that point will be responsible for payment of services rendered and 30% of tuition. All exceptions shall be at the discretion of the Executive Director and Business Manager, with advisement. as needed, from the finance committee.

Families who would like to be considered for tuition forgiveness must submit a letter and appropriate documentation to the finance committee with request based on one of the following considerations:

• Moving from the area too far away to commute
• A serious medical complication that has arisen
• If there has arisen, since the time of signing the contract, an extreme financial setback the parent/parents can document.
• If special support needs are beyond the capacity of RCS to serve.

 Financial Questions?

If you have specific questions you can contact the Business Manager, Margaret Gerleve, at
Margaret.Gerleve@rainbowlearning.org or call 828-258-9264 ext. 125