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We know that private Christian education comes at a financial cost. However, there are many financial aid options and a variety of saving opportunities available. 

 

Education Savings Account (ESA):

 

Beginning with the 2025-26 school year, and for each subsequent year, all Iowa resident K-12 students are eligible regardless of income.*Please note that it is NOT eligible for preschool.

 
LEARN MORE ABOUT ESA (EDUCATION SAVINGS ACCOUNTS) HERE

Education Savings Accounts (ESA)
Iowa's Education Savings Account (ESA) program allows eligible families to use state-funded education dollars toward tuition and other qualified educational expenses at accredited nonpublic schools, including Cedar Valley Christian School.

Who Is Eligible?

  • All students entering Kindergarten through 12th grade are eligible.
     
  • Preschool students are not eligible for ESA funding.


How It Works

  • ESA funding is determined annually by the State of Iowa based on the state's per-pupil funding formula. For the 2026–27 school year, the ESA amount is $8,148 per eligible K–12 student.
  • Approved funds are deposited into a student's ESA account according to the state's distribution schedule.
     
  • ESA funds may be combined with other forms of tuition assistance, including STO awards and CVCS Tuition Assistance, if eligible.
     
  • The ESA program is administered by the State of Iowa, not Cedar Valley Christian School.
     

How to Apply

  • Families apply directly through the State of Iowa's ESA portal.
     
  • New applicants will create an account and complete the online application process.
     
  • Returning families will log in to their existing account and renew their application for the upcoming school year.

Application Timeline

  • Applications for 2026 open April 16.
  • The application deadline is June 30.
     

Visit the State of Iowa ESA portal for complete program details, eligibility information, and application instructions.

 

STO Scholarships:

 

Cedar Valley Christian School is part of the Heart of Iowa School Tuition Organization (STO), which is a needs based scholarship program that raises tuition grant funding for eligible Iowa students who enroll in accredited nonpublic, Iowa-based, elementary or secondary schools based on parent choice.

STO SCHOLARSHIP INFORMATION

The total amount of authorized STO tax credit for the tax year beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2022 is $20,000,000. (Donors give to the program and receive a generous tax credit that is applied to their state taxes.) Accredited, non-public schools who are in an STO organization, are eligible for an allotment that is determined by enrollment figures. This year we are raising over $100,000 in tuition assistance for eligible CVCS families.To qualify, your family income must be no more than four times the federal poverty level for your family size.  

Click Here for the 2026-2027 STO Application. Bring your application to the office and attach a signed copy of your 2025 Federal Tax Return, pages 1 and 2 or your IA Tax Return. Deadline for applications is June 1, 2026.

Non-STO Financial Aid:

 

 It is our goal that money will not stand in the way for qualified families who desire Christian education. If you are in need of financial aid for next year beyond ESA AND STO funding, additional financial aid is handled on a case-by-case basis by school administration. Contact the office to learn more. 

"When we moved to Cedar Rapids from out of state with our middle school aged children, we prayed for the best school for our children. Without a doubt, God led us to Cedar Valley. We couldn’t have been more impressed with the teachers, coaches and staff. They all carried on the values that we as a family strive to live by. Honesty, respect for all, compassion and integrity were demonstrated and taught every day. When our children started college, they would tell us the comments made by their professors about the exemplary writing and reasoning skills our children had. Those were the skills taught at Cedar Valley. Financially it was a sacrifice, but one we’d never hesitate to do again." K. Banowetz, CV mom