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FeedFinancial Freedom: Finding a Way for Private School
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Ok, I’ll be honest, I’ve had a hard time keeping up with financial freedom posts. The reason behind this is because Financial Freedom is a long road so it’s hard keeping updates consistent. While going through this journey, we have sacrificed a few things and lost some things too like my husband’s job. However, we are still standing strong, refusing to be discouraged.
Before my husband and I even had children, we both felt that they would grow up in a private Christian school. Now, I realize this may not be for everyone, but it was and is for us and since I’ve been disclosing my personal journey, I thought private school would be worth mentioning. My oldest son is entering into kindergarten this year and my husband and I have been praying about which school my son will attend. At the same time, we are still having to deal with job loss.
I can tell you, honestly, it is very difficult to add on any extra expenses right now however, the same God who told us 5 years ago that we would send our kids to Christian school is the same God who knew my husband would lose his job. Therefore, since our God is not a liar and since he knew what would be long before we knew it, we know He has a plan to provide for us.
I know many of you would like to know the actual costs for something like this so I’m going to be honest and tell you. Right now, we are paying $130 a month for two days a week at a Mom’s Day Out Program. During the school year, we were paying over $200 a month for three days a week for our oldest son (our youngest is still at home). So, what is the private school cost? The school we chose is $4,000 per year. On a 10 month payment plan, that’s $400 a month plus about $300 in fees (per year, upfront).
It is double what we are paying now however, still not as ‘outrageous’ as some would think and considerably less than most daycare’s. Financially, we are still looking at coming up with an extra $200 a month for my oldest and then also at least $100 a month for my youngest if we plan to put him in Mom’s Day Out once a week. All in all, we are believing God for an extra $300 a month.
Remember, Deuteronomy 8:18, “But remember the LORD your God, for it is he who gives you the ability to produce wealth…”
Sometimes things do not make sense on paper, but God will make a way. It did not make sense at all for me to quit my job and become a stay at home mom when I was pregnant with my first child and our teenage nephew was living with us. But, I knew God called me to do it so I did and He provided for us. It also did not make sense for me to start a business based on coupons when I knew absolutely no one who was interested in coupons, but I did it and God is continually blessing this business.
I’m not talking about stepping out in stupidity here, I am talking about following what you know God has told you to do. If He hasn’t told you, then don’t do it. But if He has, then he will provide the means and the ability for you to get the job done.
I wanted to mention this today because I had a few of my friends tell me that they ‘wish’ they could put their kids in private school. I’m not a big fan of ‘wishing’ to tell you the truth. When I want or desire something, I ask God for it and I wait expectantly and patiently for it to come to pass. This was a desire of our heart years ago and we have felt the assurance of God every step of the way. Are we going to have to make sacrifices? Yes. But I will say, whatever sacrifices we make are temporary and God will restore all things we lay down or that which we have lost.
Everything does not look perfect on paper, but it is not my job to be perfect. I know what God has lead us to do and I know God will make a way for us. If you have something big in your heart that God has given you, do not let finances tear it away from you. Do not let the enemy discourage you. God knew your financial situation long before he ever put that desire in your heart and God will make a way for you.
Stand strong and be encouraged!
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Your financial freedom posts are always the best! My family and I have been in a similar situation and I had thought about going back to work but knew it was not what God wanted. So my husband is mowing after he gets off work and on the weekends and we are making it fine. God is an amazing provider and has done more for me when I'm in His will than I could have ever expected. Some of the financial problems we are having is from being out of His will a few years ago, so we work extra hard to make up for it now and he is blessing us. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel now and know God never makes mistakes. Hope you are equally encouraged and thank you for all your hard work and your commitment to your faith!
I cannot wait to hear a follow-up from you on how God will turn His vision for private school into reality. And it will be in His timing and perfect way.
Good for you! My children are in a Christian school and it is a sacrifice that is WELL WORTH IT!! Actually, we consider it an investment in their future!
I have quite an extensive background in putting my children through private school. I will be happy to help anyone that asks. I was a single stay at home mom and put 2 kids through private school. An international private boarding school. Price $25,000 per year per child. I got scholarships and grants and financial aid from the school and the bridge foundation. There is also a H.F. Gerry Lenfest Merit Scholarship, and others that can put your child through private school for little to no $$. The answer is always not until you ask. I though this school was out of my reach. Then an angel (visiting nurse) came to care for my grandmother and told me about this "diamond in the rough", turns out it was the private (rich kids) school, I never would dream my kids would attend. God blessed me with kind, volunteering, nice to their teachers, smart, children. I easily got them into the school. They graduated with honors.
Pray to God and row for the shore - People for years asked me how I did it, I told them God. I have no other explanation. He has blessed us and we are grateful. We help other any way we can.
Now my 2 daughters are attending private colleges at $47,500 each per year. 1 completely free, the other $600. last year, this year $900. work study is all we pay.
TIPS:
Catholic Colleges, many have the Christian Brother Scholarship, if you graduate from Catholic H.S., you go to Catholic College FREE! This is one of many. Ask, ask, ask.
The key is ask, and if the person you are asking can not help you, ask them if they know who can help you. Be Persistence and Nice.
Be nice to the financial aid office. We deliver them homemade cookies, pies, cakes all during the year. They tell us people usually yell at them. You get more bees with honey.
I myself (turned 46 yesterday!) and now in Nursing School - FREE. I also receive FREE: Books, supplies.
If you are on Food Stamps and/or Cash Assistance or TANFA, they will pay for your education, books, supplies, mileage to and from school, car payment, inspection, insurance, repair. Contact the college you are interested in and ask them. In Pennsylvania, it is called the KEYS Program.
Private colleges have more $$ to help students(of any age). Ask them to waive the application fee. Or get vouchers. Our private boarding school had all the vouchers we wanted. We applied to 8 colleges free. Some colleges waive the application fee if you tour the school first. Ask, ask, ask.
try this one instead of 400 mth try a cheaper one
mingo valley christian or other
You might be an answer to prayer. We went the public school route for a couple years and got down kiddos to the point of weightloss. We are looking at $10,000 a year for our 2 older children going into 3rd and 8th to attend a great Christian private school. I thought we just had good kids that made really good grades. Others have pointed out that we are blessed with such intelligent and creative that it's an awesome responsibility to provide and guide them. I wonder if there's anything you could suggest for us a low one income family of 6. We're Latin but not Catholic and live in Louisiana so I know the things you've mentioned won't work for us. I've dug around the net and am just so confused. I'm praying for wisdom!
Hi Felicia,
There may be others with similar situations, and are not seeing my reply.
Please cut and paste my reply for all readers to see. I didnt realize it wouldnt post on the site, and I dont have a copy of what I wrote.
Thanks,
Morningstar910
I am homeschooling my kids. It makes me feel more confident that I am going to be doing the right thing since this is an obvious annoyance for Hollywood. They tear down kids who are home schooled in every movie I have seen about it. I want them to learn about creation and God and I want Christianity to be taught to them and I want them to feel free to pray whenever they wish or even wear a cross to my school.
Thank you so much for an interesting, yet often touchy post. I am a teacher at a Christian school making about 1/2 of starting public school teachers. I am perfectly okay with that because I committed to doing it for my children first (so I could put them through a Christian school), and secondly for the students I teach. God has never failed my family yet. Several years ago when the private school I was teaching at closed, I was devastated, but determined along with my husband that we would not put our kids in public school. We really wanted God to be a part of their education. We had friends and even fellow church members who couln't understand why we didn't just let them be a light in public school, or why I didn't teach there. While they were discouraging, God was encouraging. We were only with out a school and a job for one week, then God provided another. It is even better than what we had before. I stood on what I believed in and He helped me to stand strong and prevail. God knows your heart and loves nothing more than to bless you, trust Him!
I'm a single mom with 4 boys: 1 in college and 2 in private Christian school. Can you lead me to some grants or other information that would help me pay for the private Christian school? It truly would be a blessing!!!