Tuition Aid

All households will need to submit:

• -Parent Financial Statement (PFS) through sss.nais.org
• -Completed 2009 taxes 
• -all 2009 W-2's, 1099's and other schedules and forms
• -If you are applying for tuition aid for the first time, all 2008 tax forms and documents
• -Friends School of MN Financial Aid Application form  

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.

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 15, 2012.

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.

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

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.

Each family's financial situation is unique, so income alone does not determine need. The number of students in tuition-based schools, assets, family size, and unusual expenses are a few of the additional factors that affect the decision-making process. Income, however, is the primary guide used by SSS and Friends School in determining estimated family contributions. 

To get a rough idea about whether your family would qualify for tuition aid, consider that for the 2011-12 school year, nearly all students receiving aid reported 2010 earnings of less than $100,000. About 50% had a gross family income of less than $65,000, and about 30% had a gross income of less than $40,000. 

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. 

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.

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.

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.

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.