TAP (Tuition Assistance Programs

Rise Academy of Arts is a multi-discipline academy for the arts. Rise Academy of Arts is pleased to be able to provide our community with TAP.

1. Sliding Scale Tuition Assistance Program

SSTAP

• Sliding Scale Tuition Assistance (SSTAP) is available regardless of race, age, sex, religion, disability, sexual orientation, or national origin. 
• SSTAP will not be available for anyone with an overdue or outstanding balance with Rise Academy of Arts.
• Sliding scale tuition may be used by the persons listed on the application. 
• Unused sliding scale tuition rates cannot be applied to another person or held over from one season to the next.  
• We value participation and want to ensure that enrollment spots are well utilized, thus, consistent attendance is a consideration for sliding scale tuition reissue. 
• Accounts must not have an overdue balance to receive sliding scale tuition for the next season.
• Registration fees are exempt from SSTAP. 
• All fees must be paid in full at the time of registration.  
• For a student registering for more than 1 class per season, any additional classes will be charged at the full tuition amount or add-on fee.  
• SSTAP may be applied toward 1 class per season.  
• Sliding scale tuition cannot be used for: • Master classes, Camps, Clinics, or other special offerings, clothes, shoes, or supplies needed for the class.
• Sliding scale tuition amounts will be emailed within 5 business days after submitting the application with instructions on how to register at the sliding scale tuition rate.  
• Registration forms should be submitted AFTER your sliding scale tuition amount is issued. 
• Rise Academy of Arts cannot apply sliding scale tuition to previous registrations, or register for the class at the same time we accept the application for sliding scale tuition.
• WHEN DO I NEED TO APPLY AGAIN? Sliding scale tuition applications are accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis throughout the year. 
• All applicants must submit a new sliding scale tuition application each year during the application period. 
• The next application period will open January 1, 2024 (this application period will cover 2024 Summer Season Classes and 2024 Fall Academic Season Classes. 
• Sliding scale tuition is issued on a first come, first served basis, as funds allow.
• Incomplete applications will not be processed. 
• HOW DO I SUBMIT MY APPLICATION?:  Provide copies of the supporting documents of all income coming into the household. Rise Academy of Arts does NOT have a public copy machine or fax machine. Documents should be uploaded into the application or emailed to riseacademyofarts@gmail.com.

2. HiYi Scholarship HEALTHY ISLAND YOUTH INITIATIVE

We do accept the HIYI scholarship from Whidbey Island. If you receive this scholarship it will compensate for no administration fee and cover the cost of one, one hour recreational class at $95.00 a month. This scholarship must be applied for through their application process. Applications for the HIYI Scholarship can be found at islandcountywa.gov.

3. Work-trade

Work-trade will be awarded based on a student’s excellent leadership, character, initiative, and work ethic. Not only do we expect these students to show the best work ethic and character in class, at the academy, and when representing Rise Academy of Arts, but we also expect them to actively be setting goals and working to meet them. We have a limited number of work trade positions available. We will conduct interviews to fill these positions. If your athlete/dancer is offered a position as an in class assistant there will be additional required training.
These are 10 month, weekly commitments.

All athletes/dancers accepted into the work-trade program will be eligible to work up to a certain amount of hours that can be applied to their account to reduce the monthly tuition. You will only receive a discount equivalent to the hours worked the previous month.

4. Rise Above Scholarships
Rise Above are scholarships to talented athletes/dancers, singers and actors in the Whidbey Island area. The scholarships are used to aid students in their personal training (tuition), required attire and competition/performance fees.

Rise Above funding is completely separate from work trade. Rise Above, is available to financially help parents in need. Funds distribution is based on parental involvement in the multiple fundraising events offered throughout the season. This includes, but is not limited to, Holland Happening booth and parade, 4th of July booth and parade, Military Appreciation Picnic booth, Hydros for Heroes booth, and events at our academy and within the community.

Funds will be deducted monthly, following the events, into recipients’ DSP account, for that next tuition period. Recipients will be able to use those funds to offset their child’s account. Funds cannot be withdrawn for cash or transferred to another family’s/athlete’s/dancer’s account.

Events will be organized by Rise Academy of Arts and elected organizers, who meet at least monthly, who report to theRise Academy of Arts Directors, at least quarterly. Parents must be pre-qualified as needing financial assistance by completing the application and being approved, and they can then choose to participate in as few or as many of the Rise Academy of Arts events as desired.

Should the Rise Above recipient withdraw from Rise Academy of Arts, any remaining earned funds will be revoked and reallocated.

Work Trade/Rise Above Criteria:

• All applications and decisions must be held in confidence; do not discuss your individual arrangement with other students/parents.
• All applications will be reviewed by Rise Academy of Arts owners/directors/managers. Acceptance is granted based on financial need, account history, attitude, and behavior while at the academy, in classes and while attending functions.
• All applications will be re-reviewed each season while considering attendance, behavior, attitude from previous semesters. We will make a decision by September 1st if you have become ineligible and will email you.
• Financial documents will be due at the time you turn in the application.
• Class attendance must be exemplary. We expect that students receiving financial assistance must attend class every week and every effort be made not to miss class. If an absence is necessary (in case of emergency or illness), the student is expected to send an email to riseacademyofarts.staff@gmail.com of the absence or it will be counted as an unexcused absence. Each student is allowed 4 of these per season.
• All members of the family must agree to not speak negatively about Rise Academy of Arts or any of the financial assistance programs. If an issue arises, it must be handled in the appropriate channels.
• Work Trade: One hour of student work is equivalent to minimum wage ($15.74), unless otherwise specified. Parent job rates will be determined based upon the nature of the work and past work experience.
• Work trade only:
  • Ages 11+ (unless a parent chooses to apply for a work-trade position on behalf of their student)
  • Only dancers who have attended Rise Academy of Arts for at least a year will be eligible for work trade.
  • Parents of work trade students will inform Rise Academy of Arts if financial status changes during the season and financial assistance is no longer needed. We will need a 15 day notice.
• Rise Above only:
  • Parents must actively participate in events and at the academy in order to receive funding.
  • If a parent does not participate in events, they will not be granted funding.

Attendance Requirements:

If you are unable to participate due to injury or a non-contagious illness, you are still asked to observe your classes and take notes. If contagious, an email must be sent to riseacademyofarts.staff@gmail.com before your absence to ensure the absence is not marked as a “no show”. Each student is allowed 4 unexcused absences per season. Unexcused absences include not letting Rise Academy of Arts know ahead of time that you will miss class. Examples of excused absences are being sick, family emergency, school performance or event, etc.
Excessive absences or failure to perform duties associated with your position will terminate your financial assistance status and any assistance provided.

Financial Obligations:
You are responsible for all hard costs (team gear, apparel, costumes, guest teacher fees, guest clinicians fees, coaches/instructors travel fees, competitions, third-party workshops, etc).
A class cannot “make” if the majority are work trade students, as this is not financially feasible. Instead, a class must have at least 5 full-paying students enrolled.
All payments must be made early or on time. Failure to do so will terminate your financial assistance status and any assistance provided.
For the summer season, fees will be due at the time of enrollment. .

• Abbreviated financial policies:
  Payment on the 15th or other payment dates: we can no longer offer alternative payment dates. All tuition will be due on the 1st of the month. If you need to pay on the 15th of the month, then please load your account on the 15th of the month prior to the tuition draft, as charges will be drafted on the 1st of the month for all students.
• Payment plans: we can no longer offer payment plans for past due or any outstanding balances. It is your responsibility to know if your account is past due, or if your fees did not process, by logging onto your online portal.
• Competition, Show, performance, and misc fees: in regard to competition, show, and performance fees, these will be processed on the due date so please make sure that you familiarize yourself with these deadlines, as fees will be charged as communicated through various physical and digital means.
• Late fees: if an auto-charge unsuccessfully goes through, you will be responsible for any late fees, if applicable, and updating your payment information via the online portal to your account so that it will go through. No late fees will be waived. If your account is 10 or more days past due for any fees or charges, your athlete/dancer will be unable to attend and unenrolled from classes, both team/company and recreational. There will then be a $50 re-enrollment fee to get your athlete/dancer reinstated for classes. In this scenario, company directors will be informed of students who have been dropped.
• “NO” auto pays: if for any reason, your account is set to no autopay, all the policies above are still in effect and penalty fees will still be added to the account. Rise Academy of Arts is not responsible for fees and tuition left uncharged due to “no” autopay settings. Rise Academy of Arts will not manually process any accounts set to autopay, so please be sure to continually check your account to ensure there are no outstanding charges.