2012-2013
Guide to Financial Aid at Sant Bani School
Please note the change in the process for applying for financial aid for 2012-13 (below)
Introduction:
Sant Bani School was founded on and continues to be committed to the twin principles of a reverence for life and service to all as the ends of knowledge. The school community—faculty, parents, and students—brings these ideals into daily life. It admits into its community students who have the potential to become “strong students” and who can contribute positively to the community. Admission decisions are not based on factors such as gender, socio-economic status, ethnic background or religious creed. The School serves students from all socio-economic groups and provides levels of financial aid that maintain an economically diverse community.
Qualifying for Financial Aid:
All financial aid is awarded based on need. Each family’s application is considered individually. Any family that cannot pay full tuition is urged to apply.
The Financial Aid Award:
In order to base its decisions on a common standard that treats all families fairly, the Financial Aid Committee (FAC) relies on the report generated by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and the required tax documents. Each family must make an appropriate financial commitment to allow its children to attend Sant Bani; a minimum parental contribution of $500 per family is expected.
The FAC makes all determinations as to awards of Financial Aid. While the SSS information is essential in ensuring that the financial resources of all families are assessed in the same way and thus provides a common benchmark, the figures provided by SSS are simply a starting point for the FAC in making its determinations. The Committee considers a number of factors in reaching its decision in an effort to tailor its award to the specific needs and capacities of each family.
Source of Financial Aid Dollars:
The School’s ability to offer financial aid depends on the generosity of donors world-wide who are committed to the School and its principles. The School receives no financial support from local, state, or federal government agencies. The School Scholarship Service also provides no financial assistance to Sant Bani School.
Admission Decisions and Financial Aid Awards:
Sant Bani School operates under a need-blind admission policy: admissions decisions are made without regard to a family’s ability to pay tuition. Provided that all required financial aid materials have been submitted to Sant Bani on time, a financial aid offer and an admission decision are delivered at the same time. A family is not required to make an enrollment decision without knowledge of the financial aid award.
Other Sources of Funding:
In addition to need-based financial aid offered by the School there are a number of companies that offer loans specifically for private primary and secondary educations. To view a list of these companies, please visit www.nais.org and look under the tab for Admission and Financial Aid and then Financial Aid Facts for Parents and then Tuition Payment Plans and Tuition Loan Programs.
Family Financial Commitment:
It is School policy to expect that all parents/guardians will make sincere efforts to contribute financially to a Sant Bani School education. Financial aid forms must be completed and filed by both parents whether they are married, divorced, separated or were never married. If special circumstances exist, please be sure to include that in the optional personal statement.
Applying for Financial Aid
A new application for financial aid must be filed in a timely manner each year along with the required tax documents. To do so, each parent must complete the following steps:
New Process Please take note of a procedural change for families applying for financial aid for 2012-2013 school year. As last year, The Parent Financial Statement (PFS) and fee is due March 1st to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. However, this year all required tax documentation will be required to be sent to the SSS instead of Sant Bani School by April 15, 2012. Please take note of this change and submit all documentation to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) using school code #7125. Remember no determination of award can be made without proper documentation on file. Any questions, give Joann a call at School!
Step 1. No later than March 1, complete and submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) online, along with payment of the processing fee, to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. Paper forms are available at the School if you need them. It is essential that each family requests that Sant Bani School receive a copy of the PFS by entering School Code #7125 when completing the PFS form. Fee waivers are available if you qualify.
NOTE: An important question on this application asks you to judge how much your family can provide toward the student’s education. Please DO NOT include transportation and activity fees in this amount. We encourage you to attach a personal statement if you feel the School needs additional information not addressed by the PFS.
Step 2. No later than April 15, submit required tax documents (1040 tax returns, attached IRS schedules, W-2 forms) to the School as soon as they are available. If you have asked the IRS for an extension for your tax filing, please contact the School immediately.
Step 3. No later than May 15, signed contracts are due back to SBS. Financial aid awards will be communicated through the contracts that are mailed to families on May 1st. If a family wishes to appeal a financial aid decision, an appeal must be made in writing to the Financial Aid Committee no later than May 15th.
If you need help with any of the steps in this process, or you have questions about the forms, please call JoAnn Malinowski at 934-4240.
Revised: 1/28/2011
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