Will applying for tuition assistance affect a student’s chance of admission to the school?
No. Decisions about admissions and tuition assistance are made independently and confidentially.
What are typical ranges of tuition assistance that a qualified family receives?
Families receive tuition assistance ranging from 12% to 99% of the tuition cost, based on demonstrated need.
What costs are covered by tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance covers tuition, lunch, books, technology fees, activity fees and outdoor education trips. The costs of the Extended Day Program are reduced at the same percentage as tuition assistance. Tuition assistance funds also are used to ensure every family has equal access to all Town School activities like athletics, special events, and parent programs.
When should I apply?
Please apply at the time of your initial application to Town School if you feel that tuition assistance is appropriate for your family. If you apply at a later time, funds may not be available.
If we did not apply for tuition assistance in a prior year, may we apply in subsequent years?
Families may apply in subsequent years if there is an adverse change to their financial situation. Awards will be made based on eligibility and budget availability.
What factors determine a family’s eligibility?
Eligibility is determined by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), a service used by independent schools nationwide to help assess a family’s ability to pay for independent school tuition. Using the service provided by SSS helps to ensure that a family’s request for tuition assistance is treated objectively and professionally.
SSS computes a family’s recommended tuition contribution based on a standard calculation that considers gross taxable income (based on the tax forms you submit), assets, family size, and number of children in tuition-charging schools.
Will a family receive tuition assistance for the entire time they are at Town School?
We are committed to offering tuition assistance to families throughout their enrollment at Town, provided they submit necessary written documentation and demonstrate continued need on an annual basis. If your family’s financial circumstances remain unchanged from the prior year, the school will renew your tuition assistance award.
What about single families and divorced families?
We believe that both parents are responsible for the educational expenses of their children, to the extent that they are financially able. Town School requires families to submit financial information from all adults living in the students’ household(s). If parents are divorced, separated, have never been married, and/or are remarried, all parents including step-parents must submit financial information. In the case of divorce, we take into account parents’ and step-parents’ financial commitments to their other children.
Are we eligible for tuition assistance if only one parent works?
In families with only one working parent, the family is eligible for tuition assistance if the parent who is not working outside the home is either caring for non-school age family members or is actively seeking work. It is our expectation that both parents are employed unless they meet one of these two conditions.
