Tuition Assistance
Sunshine Bible Academy is committed to making Christ-centered education accessible to every family. The actual cost to educate a student at SBA is roughly double the published tuition rate — generous donors already cover the difference. Beyond that, additional assistance programs can reduce your family’s cost by up to 50%. No family should ever feel discouraged from applying because of finances.
Assistance Programs Available to Your Family
SBA offers multiple pathways to help families afford a faith-centered education. We work individually with each family to find the best combination of support.
General Tuition Assistance
Need-based tuition assistance is available to all SBA families. Through our FAST financial aid application process, qualifying families can receive assistance covering up to 50% of tuition costs. SBA works individually with each family to determine the right level of support.
SD Partners in Education
South Dakota taxpayers can receive a state tax credit for donating to scholarship granting organizations like SDPE. These donations fund scholarships for students attending private schools including SBA, making it a win-win for donors and families alike.
SBA Foundation Support
The SBA Foundation provides an additional layer of financial support for families. Funded by alumni, churches, and community supporters, the Foundation helps bridge the gap between published tuition and what a family can afford, ensuring no student misses out on an SBA education.
How Tuition Assistance Works
Applying for tuition assistance is a straightforward part of the admissions process. Here is what to expect.
Apply for Admission & Assistance
During the admissions process, indicate your interest in tuition assistance and complete the FAST financial aid application. This confidential assessment helps SBA understand your family’s financial situation so we can provide the right level of support.
Personalized Family Review
SBA reviews each application individually. Our team considers your FAST results alongside available scholarship funds, SDPE credits, and Foundation support to build a customized assistance package for your family. We treat every conversation with complete confidentiality.
Receive Your Award
You will receive a tuition assistance award letter detailing the amount of support your family qualifies for. Assistance is applied directly to your tuition, reducing your out-of-pocket cost. Payment plans are also available to spread the remaining balance across the school year.
SD Partners in Education
South Dakota Partners in Education (SDPE) is a state-authorized program that turns charitable donations into scholarships for private school students — and gives donors a valuable tax credit in return.
Here is how it works: South Dakota taxpayers who donate to an approved scholarship granting organization through SDPE receive a state tax credit. Those donations are then distributed as scholarships to students at participating private schools, including Sunshine Bible Academy. The program allows individuals, families, and businesses to directly support Christian education while receiving a meaningful financial benefit.
If you are a South Dakota resident or know someone who might be interested in supporting SBA students through SDPE, we would love to share more about how this program works. It is one of the most impactful ways to help families afford the SBA experience.
How SDPE Benefits Everyone
SD taxpayers receive a state tax credit for contributions made to approved scholarship granting organizations.
Donations become scholarships that directly reduce tuition costs for SBA students, making Christian education more affordable.
Corporate donors can support local education while benefiting from meaningful tax credits — a powerful way to invest in the next generation.
Don’t Let Cost Be a Barrier
SBA believes every family deserves the opportunity to choose a Christ-centered education for their children. Reach out today and let us help you find a path that works for your family.