Scholarships & Tuition

Mount Ellis Academy’s desire is to provide a high quality, Christ-centered education to all young people. We believe a Christian education is one of the greatest financial investments a parent can make in their child’s life. Recognizing the cost of a Christian education may seem overwhelming and unobtainable at first, we have provide a number of different scholarships, discounts, student work opportunities and other financial aid programs that may dramatically decrease the overall out-of-pocket cost to the parent/guardian, and student.

Below is a summary of costs for the 2023-2024 school year and some of the financial aid programs currently available. Please contact the Business Office at (406) 587-5178 x103, for a personalized workable financial plan.

Notes:

1. Tuition includes lunch in the MEA cafeteria for Village students during school days.
2. Room and Board fees are for double occupancy. Additional $500/yr. for single occupant room when available.
3. Registration fee includes student accident insurance, club and class dues, library fees, campus ministries, yearbook, student activities fees, technology, campus ministries, laundry (for dorm students), Chromebook rental, teacher supplies, and other miscellaneous fees. International Students may have other applicable fees. The full registration fee is required of all registrants, regardless of enrollment date, and is non-refundable.
4. Additional fees for elective classes, sports teams or music groups as applicable (see below).
5. Amount due at registration includes the registration fee, textbook and standard class fees, and first month’s charges for tuition and room and board. This amount is payable before students can be registered for the current school year.
6. Payment estimate is based on a monthly payment plan and is net an estimate student labor contribution amount of $2,300 per year (labor amounts vary based on age, class schedules and job performance). This payment amount does not include any financial aid estimates or other available discounts). Additional fees for elective classes, extracurricular activities (i.e. Ski the Summit, Mini Courses, Bridger B-day), cafeteria meals (other than lunch) for Village students, and school apparel may alter the payment estimate.

Optional Extracurricular Activities (2023-2024)

All Activities listed are optional and costs are estimated.

Financial Policies

A financial agreement outlining the payment schedule for the full year should be completed for each student before registration. Student Aid, Sponsorship and Scholarships cannot be credited to the student’s accounts without a signed and approved financial agreement.

• The agreed-upon monthly payment is due by the 20th of each month. A Late Payment Fee of $20 may be charged for payments received after that date.
• A processing fee of $20 will be charged for returned checks or EFTs.
• Delinquent accounts (missed payments not received or acceptable arrangements made by the tenth of the following month) may be referred to the finance committee.
• Account balances must be paid in full before diplomas and/or transcripts are released.

Student Labor

School Year Labor

Mount Ellis Academy has developed a successful work program for the benefit of student development and to help with tuition costs. Jobs are assigned based on availability, class schedules, student interest, work ethic and pervious work performance. Please contact our Work Coordinator for more information on the benefits and requirements related to student labor opportunities. While we work hard to provide job opportunities, the school can make no promises or guarantees regarding the amount of hours worked or wages earned, as these are largely dependent upon the individual students and subject to federal and state child labor law and regulations. Student activities (Varsity Sport Teams and Class Schedules) and/or sickness can interrupt work schedules and therefore affect payroll estimates. Students should attempt to make up any missed work hours.

Students are paid the Montana state minimum wage (or more) monthly for hours worked. As the work program was developed, in part, to assist students and their parents or guardians with tuition costs, MEA provides families the opportunity of assigning the student’s earnings (net applicable taxes) directly to tuition receivable accounts. Additionally, we encourage giving back to God and will, upon request of the student, deduct tithe (remitted only to the Montana Conference of Seventh-day Adventists).

On AVERAGE, a student can earn approximately $1,800 (under 16 years of age) and $2,800 (over 16 years of age) during the school year.

Summer Labor

MEA encourages students to find employment during the summer months and offers limited campus jobs for Village students. A student working over the summer can generally earn enough funds to pay for the upcoming year’s registration fees.

Cost Savings

Food, utilities and other household expenses are covered in the Room and Board costs for a dorm student and lunch in MEA cafeteria on school day is provided for all village students. We estimate a family savings of $250 to $350 a month per dorm student and $100-$150 a month per village student. Additionally, regular nightly recreation and weekend entertainment events are provided, which could result in further cost savings.

Discounts

Pre-Payment Discounts

Discounts are given for tuition and room and board charges paid in full.

• Annual Payment (5%) – $849.00 Dorm or $527.00 Village (Due by Registration).
• Semester (4%) – $339.60 Dorm or $210.80 Village (Due by Registration and by January 15 for second semester).
• Monthly (1%) – $16.98 Dorm or $10.54 Village (Month Fees paid in full by the 20th of each Month).

Early Payment of amount due at Registration

Discounts are given for full payment of amount due at registration ($2,618 Dorm or $1,974 Village) by the following dates:

• July 1 (2%) – $52.36 Dorm or $39.48 Village.
• July 15 (1.5%) – $39.27 Dorm or $29.61 Village.
• August 1 (1%) – $26.18 Dorm or $19.74 Village.

Family Discount

Two or more students from the same immediate family.

• $300 each or $30 monthly.

Grants and Scholarships

Distance Grant

For qualifying students that live more than 500 miles from campus ($400-$700).

Continuing Education Grant

For new students ($25 per year student attended a SDA school from first through eighth grade).

GPA Scholarship

For new students for their eighth grade cumulative GPA or previous high school cumulative GPA.

• 3.5-3.74 — $300
• 3.75-3.99 — $400
• 4.00 — $500

Early Bird Application

For new students applying to MEA the $100 application fee will be waived or a credit applied to the student account if the application is submitted prior to Academy Days.

Academy Days Scholarships

Academy Days Scholarships are rewarded to potential new students during MEA’s Academy Days.

Literature Evangelism/Summer Camp Scholarship

A Scholarship of 25% up to a maximum of $500 for student earnings from a Literature Evangelism or Summer Camp job.

ACE Scholarship

While MEA is a partner school with ACE Scholarships, ACE Scholarships are awarded from an organization independent from MEA. ACE Scholarships help qualifying students attend private schools by awarding partial tuition scholarships at partner schools. At ACE, they believe every child deserves a quality education. ACE Scholarships are available to low-income families and average $3,000 annually. MEA has limited ACE Scholarships opportunities available. Please contact the Business Office for availability and application forms.

Other Scholarships

Farnsworth Memorial, NPUC Hispanic, NPUC work Match, LaMare Hispanic, Bardell, Dixon Music, Curtis, and Commonweal Scholarships are based on donated funds and students meeting specific criteria (i.e. student home location, Hispanic, GPA, Music Lessons, financial need, ect.). Please fill out a MEA Scholarship and Financial Aid Application Form for consideration for one of these scholarships (additional application forms may be required based on Scholarship criteria). Please download this application and return it to finance@mtellis.org.

Student Financial Aid and Sponsorships

Student Sponsorships

Individuals can sponsor students by either increasing the student’s hourly campus labor earnings (by “matching” the earnings or by pledging a specific dollar amount per hour that the student works) or by donating a flat dollar amount per month or per year. Sponsorship dollars are applied directly to the applicable student’s account. (IRS regulations do not permit tax deductions for tuition payments made for specific students.)

Church Sponsorships

MEA will match up to $1,000 for dorm students and $500 for village students of church sponsorship funds contributed by a church for a particular student. Applications must be signed by your local pastor or church board and returned to MEA.

MEA Scholarship (formerly Worthy Student)

With the help of generous donors, Mount Ellis Academy is able to offer student aid scholarships for payment of tuition, room and board costs. This financial aid and other miscellaneous scholarships are based on eligibility, needs, and availability of funds. Financial Aid cannot be awarded without an application approved by the Financial Aid Committee. Average rewards are $3,500 for Dorm and $1,000 for Village students annually. MEA Scholarships are distributed monthly. Aid is awarded based on the MEA Financial Aid Application. Please download this application and return it to finance@mtellis.org.

Sponsored Donations

Based on extreme financial need and the family’s unique situation, Mount Ellis Academy works with church members and donors to fundraise additional financial aid dollars above the maximum MEA Scholarship’s award amounts. This aid is entirely based on fundraising efforts made on behalf of individual students and/or funds given to the MEA Student Sponsorships Fund. As such, aid is not guaranteed and subject to continual giving. Sponsored Donations may are distributed based on the family’s monthly financial plans and/or as donations are received. Aid is awarded based on the MEA Scholarship and Financial Aid Application. Please download this application and return it to finance@mtellis.org.

Financial Policies

A financial agreement outlining the payment schedule for the full year should be completed for each student before registration. Student Aid, Sponsorship, and Scholarships cannot be credited to the student’s accounts without a signed and approved financial agreement.

• The agreed-upon monthly payment is due by the 20th of each month. A late payment fee of $20 may be charged for payments received after that date.
• A processing fee of $20 may be charged for returned checks or EFTs.
• Delinquent accounts (payments not received or acceptable arrangements made by the 10th of the following month) may be referred to the Finance Committee.
• Account balances must be paid in full before diplomas and/or transcript are released.

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