Tuition & Financial Aid

One of CCS’s core commitments is to provide high-quality education at an affordable cost. Undergraduate tuition is $175 per credit hour for new students. For a typical 3-credit course, that’s $525 in tuition. Graduate tuition (for master’s and doctoral courses) is $195 per credit hour. In addition to tuition, there are a few standard fees: a one-time Application Fee of $25, and a Student Services Fee of $75 per semester.

Financial aid at CCS comes primarily in the form of institutional scholarships, discounts, and payment plans, since CCS chooses to keep tuition low instead of relying on federal aid. Notably, CCS does not participate in Federal Financial Aid (FAFSA) – meaning Pell Grants, federal student loans, etc., are not used. Instead, CCS’s strategy is “graduate without debt” by offering an affordable pay-as-you-go model and plenty of scholarships and discounts. Here are some key aid opportunities:

• Merit Scholarship: CCS offers a full-tuition merit scholarship for a two-year associate degree (the Merit Scholarship), which can cover 100% of tuition for eligible students. This is often awarded to students with strong academic performance or exceptional leadership potential.
• Need-Based Scholarships: There are named scholarships like the Gary Foss Memorial Scholarship and the Carson Riley Scholarship, which students can apply for if they need financial assistance. These may have specific criteria (such as ministry involvement or academic merit) and can significantly offset tuition.
• Ministry in Place Discount: If you are already a ministry leader or pastor, CCS’s Ministry in Place program allows you to apply for discounted tuition rates so you can continue serving while studying. This reflects CCS’s mission to equip those in active ministry by easing their financial burden.
• Veterans Benefits: CCS is very supportive of military veterans and their families. The college is approved for VA benefits, meaning eligible students can use GI Bill® education benefits at CCS. (CCS is a religious institution in Virginia and is exempt from state oversight, but it does work with veterans to honor tuition assistance and refund guidelines.) VA benefits only apply to on-campus courses. 
• Payment Plans: Every student, whether receiving scholarships or not, can take advantage of interest-free monthly payment plans. Instead of paying a semester’s tuition all at once, you can pay in smaller installments over the term. This “Pay-As-You-Go” approach is central to CCS’s philosophy – the goal is that you graduate without debt by budgeting your education costs monthly.

Yes. In fact, CCS’s entire financial model is built around a Pay-As-You-Go philosophy to keep students out of debt. Instead of taking out large loans, students pay for each semester (or each course) as they progress, often using monthly payment plans. These in-house payment plans split your tuition into manageable monthly payments throughout the term – interest-free. Many CCS students hold jobs or ministry positions while in school, and the monthly plan lets them budget tuition alongside their other expenses. Because tuition is relatively low, some students even pay upfront or semester-by-semester, but the payment plan is there if you need it. Additionally, if you receive a scholarship, that award is applied directly to reduce the amount you owe. The goal is that by the time you graduate, you have zero student debt, having paid along the way.

CCS understands that sometimes circumstances change, and students may need to drop a class or withdraw. There is a tuition refund policy that provides refunds on a sliding scale, based on how early in the term the withdrawal occurs. If you withdraw very early in the term (before the second day of the term), you are eligible for a 100% tuition refund (all tuition for that course is refunded). After the first few days, the refund amount decreases: for example, a student might get 75% back if withdrawing in the first week, 50% in the second week, and 25% in the third week. After about the third week of a term, no refund is available for withdrawal. Keep in mind that the refund policy typically applies to tuition only, not fees, since fees cover administrative costs and resources. Also, to receive a refund, you must follow the official withdrawal process – simply not attending class isn’t enough; you need to notify the Registrar’s Office of your intent to drop the course. One exception: if you are a military student and are called to service, CCS has a special pro-rated refund schedule to accommodate that (in compliance with veteran benefit regulations) . Always check the Academic Catalog or with the Registrar for the most up-to-date refund schedule, but generally the policy above holds. The bottom line is that early communication is key – withdraw within the first two weeks of a course for a substantial refund, if needed, and beyond that, refunds become limited.

Cornerstone OnDemand is an innovative, self-paced learning option offered by CCS. It allows students to take courses online through a subscription model rather than paying per credit. The cost is $333 per month for OnDemand enrollment. While on the subscription, you can enroll in designated online courses and complete as much coursework as you comfortably can in that time. This model is great for motivated students who want to potentially accelerate their studies – for example, if you can finish two courses in one month (which is intensive but possible if you have lots of free time), you’re effectively getting an incredible bargain. OnDemand courses are asynchronous and fully online, similar to regular online courses, but you have the flexibility to set your own pace. OnDemand can save you time and money. You can talk to an advisor about whether the OnDemand option fits your degree plan (and which courses are available in that format) before signing up.