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Tuition Aid

Overview

Friends School is committed to an economically diverse student body and welcomes the opportunity to provide financial support to families who need it to help send their children to the school. About 20% of our gross tuition is devoted to tuition aid and that money supports 31% of our student body.  The criterion for tuition aid is financial need. The school expects families to finance their children’s education to the extent that they can.

We use School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions.   

How To Apply for 2011-12

ONLINE 

  1. Apply online at http://sss.nais.org/
  2. Click on the prompt to begin your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You only have to complete one PFS even if you have several children applying to our school.
  3. You will be given a password that will allow you to return to your PFS at a later date before submitting it.
  4. Mail the required documents (see below) to: SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449. (For overnight mail, use this address: SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, 437 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021.) Don't forget your cover sheet.
  5. Your documents will be handled with the utmost level of security. To read more about SSS’s document security, go to sss.nais.org.

Note: If you apply for financial aid online, your information will be delivered more quickly to our school, allowing us to make a faster decision about your eligibility for financial aid.

BY MAIL 

  1. If you don’t already have a printed Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), call Friends School at 651-621-8937 or email admissions@fsmn.org.
  2. Complete the PFS and return it and all required documents (see below) to: SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449 USA. (For overnight mail, use this address: SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, 437 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021.)

Call SSS (800) 344-8328 with any questions (Mon - Fri: 9 a.m. - 8 p.m. EST. Sat: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST)

Required documents to be sent directly to SSS:

If you are applying for tuition aid for the 2010-11 school year you will need:

Tuition Aid Frequently Asked Questions 

We hope your questions about tuition aid at Friends School of Minnesota are answered below.  You may also download Tuition Aid FAQs as a PDF (80KB). For more information about tuition aid, please contact the school.

  • How do I apply for tuition aid?

    Apply online at sss.nais.org after November 1, 2009 or request printed application materials from the school by contacting Susan Nagel at 651-621-8937 or admissions@fsmn.org.

    We encourage you to use the online application option as it is easier, faster and cheaper.

    How to apply for tuition aid PDF (1.7MB)

  • Is it too late to apply for tuition aid for 2010-11?

    While the the bulk of tuition aid funds have been allocated for 2010-11, you may still apply for tuition aid. There may still be aid available for certain classes. Please contact Susan for more information.

  • What financial information do I need to provide?

    All households will need to submit:

     

    Note: This year, for the first time, you will send all your forms directly to SSS rather than to the school.  Student & School Services (SSS), PO 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449

    Their new online system of scanning applicant's forms will streamline the application process, provide better security of financial information and make it easier for families to track their applications.  Find out more at sss.nais.com.

  • When should I apply?

    You may apply online at sss.nais.org beginning November 1, 2009.

    Tuition aid applications which are completed by the tuition aid deadline of February 16, 2010 are considered first. Applications received after February 16 will still be considered as long as funds are available.

    Note: FSM's 2010-11 tuition aid awards are based on your 2009 income taxes so you will need all your tax forms completed early enough to give you time to meet the February 16 tuition aid deadline.

  • What can I do to make the process of applying for aid as smooth as possible?

    Please be aware that the application deadline is in mid-February. That means that you will need to have your income taxes filed by that time.

    It is very helpful to the Tuition Aid Committee—and to your application—if all of the required materials arrive by the deadline of February 16, 2010.

    If your completed application arrives after the deadline, you may be placed on a waiting list for consideration after initial awards are made.

    It is also important that your application be complete. If you have not provided information that is required, your request cannot be processed.

    We encourage families to fill out their SSS forms online.  Mail required documents to SSS with a  cover sheet.

  • What do I need to know to help my own planning for tuition increases?

    As you plan for the long term, remember that tuition will increase each year, usually between four and six percent.

    There are also increases in tuition when a student enters grades five and seven.

    Even if the percentage of tuition aid you are awarded remains the same, the amount of tuition you pay is very likely to be somewhat higher each year.

  • Who needs to apply for tuition aid?

    The school expects financial support from a child’s biological parents as well as from the adults a child lives with (step-parents and partners).

    Tuition aid applications will be processed only when complete information is received from all of those parties, regardless of marital status.

    Please be aware that we also believe that divorced or separated parents have an ethical obligation to contribute to their children’s educational expenses whether or not they have a legal obligation to do so.

  • What kind of financial aid does Friends School provide?

    FSM's tuition aid awards are need-based grants that do not need to be repaid. 

  • How can I tell if my situation demonstrates financial need?

    If you feel that you are unable to afford full tuition, you are encouraged to apply for tuition aid.

    For the 2009-2010 school year, nearly all families receiving aid reported 2008 earnings of less than $95,000. Of the students receiving FSM tuition aid in 2009-10, about 50% had a gross family income of less than $50,000, and about 22% had a gross income of less than $30,000.

    Every family's financial situation is unique, however, so income alone does not determine need. The number of students in tuition-based schools, other assets, family size, and unusual expenses are a few of the additional factors that affect the decision-making process

  • If my family has been in the school but never applied for aid, should we apply now?

    We expect that families who begin by paying full tuition to the school will continue to do so unless unforeseen circumstances make that impossible. We advise families not to go to extraordinary lengths to pay full tuition their first year in the hope of receiving tuition assistance the next year. However, if your financial situation has changed significantly since you joined the school, you should apply for aid.

    The school makes every effort to be helpful in the case of circumstances beyond a family’s control; for example, loss of job or unexpected illness. The school is usually not able to support parents who choose to make a change in their employment status that reduces their income; for example, a working parent who returns to school, or a parent who chooses to quit his/her job to start a business.

  • How are tuition aid award decisions made?

    Financial aid applications are reviewed by the FSM Tuition Aid Committee which is made up of members of the administration. All information is confidential.

    The Tuition Aid Committee makes decisions that help the school honor its commitment to building a diverse and inclusive community. Some of the criteria considered include families who are receiving aid who continue to demonstrate need; entering students who are Quakers, staff children, or siblings of current students; and returning families who demonstrate need for the first time.

    FSM uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions. 

  • Do I need to apply for tuition aid every year?

    Because families’ financial picture can change from year to year, families must re-apply for tuition aid every year.

    Your tuition aid award is based upon your financial information from the previous tax year.

  • How much money will I receive?

    The amount of money you receive depends on your need and the number of other families requesting aid.  All families are asked to pay at least 10% of tuition.

  • How is the amount of an award determined?

    The criterion for tuition aid is financial need. The school expects families to finance their children’s education to the extent that they can.

    We use information from the School and Scholarship Service for Financial Aid (SSS), along with materials each family sends directly to SSS as the basis for calculating the size of the award.  

    SSS considers each family's income, expenses, assets, debts and special circumstances when calculating a family’s Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) amount using information that families provide through a standardized form. Friends School uses the EFC as a guide in making awards that meet part or most of a family's need.

    The school and SSS consider the family primarily responsible for financing a child's education.

  • Is tuition aid based on my current income or last year’s income?

    Your tuition aid award is determined by your previous year's income, not your current or projected income.

    So, if you experience fluctuating income, you will need to plan ahead. 

    Essentially, there is a one-year lag. For example, if your income was higher than usual in 2008, then your 2009-10 award will likely be smaller even if your projected 2009 income is lower than in 2008.  Conversely, if your income was lower than usual in 2008, your award might be larger even if your 2009 income is projected to be higher.

  • My income fluctuates from year to year. How should I plan?

    Many families have fluctuating income. Please understand that the tuition aid process is based on your previous year's income.

    If you have a higher income year, you will need to plan ahead and save money for tuition for the following year. Conversely, you may benefit from a lower income year as you may receive a higher aid award even if your current year's income is larger.

  • Are all parents expected to work full time?

    The school recognizes that families make all kinds of decisions about employment. We support families of many different income levels.

    When considering a family's financial need, we do consider the earning potential of all parents of school-age children. If a parent chooses to be a stay-at-home-parent, attend school, work part time or other similar low or no-wage options, potential wages will be imputed to reflect a family's potential income level.  The school will not impute income for a stay at home parent caring for an infant or preschool age child.

  • If I am eligible, will I receive an FSM grant?

    The amount of tuition aid requested sometimes exceeds the amount we have to offer, even for qualifying families.

    If we do not have assistance available when initial awards are made, you will be placed on a waiting list. If money becomes available later, you will receive notification of your award at that time.

    We are usually able to assist most of the families who apply for tuition aid.

  • Can I apply for financial aid before I apply for admission to FSM?

    Financial aid requests must be accompanied by an admissions application.

    SSS will accept your tuition aid application and submitted forms, however, the FSM tuition aid committee will not consider your request unless you have also applied to the school.

  • What if I can't afford the financial aid application fee?

    If you do not feel you can afford the financial aid application fee, please contact Susan at FSM.  We have fee waivers available for low income families. 

  • When do I find out if my child is to receive an FSM grant?

    You receive this information with the letter of acceptance in early April. It will tell you

    (a) the amount of the grant you have been awarded, or

    (b) that you are eligible for a grant, but are on the waiting list until funds become available, or

    (c) that you do not qualify for a Friends School grant.

    If you are on the tuition aid waiting list, you will not be asked to make a commitment to enroll unless you receive an award. Sometimes funds become available as late as the end of the summer.