May. 24, 2022
Fork Union Military Academy is not free—but it is affordable for families who make it a priority. Operating a high-quality boarding school is not a cheap endeavor, and many boarding schools charges $50,000 to $60,000 or more per year. We, on the other hand, are a not-for-profit Christian school and we do our best to […]...

Fork Union Military Academy is not free—but it is affordable for families who make it a priority.

Operating a high-quality boarding school is not a cheap endeavor, and many boarding schools charges $50,000 to $60,000 or more per year. We, on the other hand, are a not-for-profit Christian school and we do our best to keep our tuition low. Helping students come to Fork Union is something we view as part of our Christian mission. We are dedicated to helping as many young men as we can prepare for college and for life.


1. We offer payment plans

Fork Union has a flexible array of payment terms which can help smooth out the payment obligation over the course of the year, so that your tuition and fees don't necessarily have to be paid in one lump sum payment. There is an additional Administrative Fee for setting up a payment plan, but these payment plans are interest-free and handled in-house by our business office.


2. Virginia residents may qualify for an Education Improvement Scholarship

Families who reside in Virginia may qualify for an Education Improvement Scholarship (EISTC) grant that provides up to $7,000 in scholarship funds for each year a student is enrolled at Fork Union. Try out our convenient Education Improvement Scholarship Calculator to see if your family qualifies for a Virginia Education Improvement Scholarship grant.


3. Compete for one of our merit scholarships

Fork Union Military Academy's Board of Trustees offers the prestigious Trustee Scholarship to new students entering in the 8th, 9th, or 10th grade, which awards a full scholarship for tuition, room & board, and uniforms. This scholarship is very competitive and is awarded to the candidate best demonstrating excellence in scholastic achievement, character and citizenship. The scholarship award continues for each year the student remains in good standing at Fork Union Military Academy.

Other merit scholarships offered by Fork Union Military Academy that offer substantial grants towards tuition include the Body, Mind, & Spirit Scholarship and the BGAV/Keesee Baptist Scholar Award.


4. Don't forget to count how much money you'll save!

Don't forget to add up how much money you'll save by not having to feed, house, and entertain your teenage boy for 9 months of the year. Depending on how voracious your son's appetite is, that can be a significant cost savings for you! We've heard so many parents say something like, "I was so worried about how much Fork Union would cost me, that I never realized how much money I would save because you were feeding my son!"


5. You can utilize your 529 plan, VA education benefits, tuition tax credit scholarship programs, or other programs

  • You may be able to use funds from your Coverdell Education Savings Account or 529 plan to pay your tuition and expenses.
  • US veterans who have not fully utilized their GI Bill amounts may be eligible to use those amounts for our tuition (see Delayed Payment Policy statement).
  • You may also qualify for education tax credit scholarships, voucher programs, tax credits/deductions, or other government programs that help fund education.

Each of these programs have specific requirements and vary depending on where you live. Our admissions office and business office can help work with you on the details.

6. "With a little help from my friends"

We have many families each year who have enrolled their student with the financial help of grandparents or other family members. Others have found assistance from their churches or other religious organizations in sponsoring their student. Civic organizations in your community, or even your employer, may offer scholarship grants to supplement what you can pay directly.


7. Search for private scholarships

There are a huge variety of organizations that offer private scholarships for students in K-12 schools. You should cast a wide net, do a lot of searches on Google or your favorite internet search engine, and ask everyone you know if they are aware of any private scholarship opportunities. In Virginia, the Baptist General Association of Virginia offers scholarships for students attending Fork Union Military Academy.

You can find well-known national foundations, such as the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation, that provide scholarship grants for high school students. There are also many regional, state, and local organizations that provide secondary school scholarship opportunities. Just as an example, in a recent online search I came across The Korean American Scholarship Fund that provides scholarships to Korean American students, as well as to descendants of American veterans who served during the Korean War. These kind of very specific scholarship opportunities are far more available than you might think, but it will take a bit of effort on your part to identify and apply for these scholarships.


8. Consider getting an educational loan

We partner with the premier private loan provider of low fixed-rate extended-payment options for private school education, Your Tuition Solution (offered by Springstone Financial, LLC). They specialize in the education market and offer education loans with long terms and low monthly payments.

The Sallie Mae K-12 Family Education Loan is a US federal loan program offering educational loans

You may also find educational loan opportunities available from your bank or financial services company. Interest rates on such loans may vary by institution.


9. Do you qualify for one of our special services discount?

Fork Union Military Academy offers a significant discount on tuition for new US students entering the Academy in grades 7-12 with a parent or guardian serving on active duty/reserve component, or retired from the US military. Discounts are also available for parents who are active or retired ordained Christian clergy, as well as discounts for alumni of the Academy. You can learn more about these discounts on Fork Union's website.

You must complete a FACTS application to be considered for this discount.


10. Apply for Financial Aid

Simply put, if your son is accepted we will work hard to help find the resources for him to attend. The Academy offers need-based grants to eligible families, though it is important for the family to share in the investment.

More than half of our US domestic boarding students receive some level of financial aid, ranging from $1,000 to $30,000 or more. The average financial aid award is currently just over $15,000.

You must apply for admission before applying for financial aid.

Financial aid grant amounts will only be discussed once a student has been accepted for admission. Any award will only be valid for a stated period of time so that, if an awardee elects not to enroll in the Academy, another family can benefit from the grant assistance. So, apply and enroll early to secure the best possible option for your family.

Click here to apply for financial aid online

Dan Thompson works at Fork Union Military Academy in strategic communications and marketing.Dan Thompson has been with Fork Union Military Academy since 2004, specializing in strategic communications and marketing. He enjoys sharing the success stories of the school and its cadets.
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