Deadlines
2015-2016 Application for
Financial Aid (For students enrolling in the 2015-2016 school year)
Important Filing
Deadlines
January 15, 2015 Parents Financial Statement (PFS) filed with the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS). February 9, 2015 Priory Financial Aid Request form and the Forms 1040 IRS for the 2014 tax year filed with SSS by NAIS.
Our values are timeless. Our community is real. Our vision is far reaching. www.PrioryCA.org
WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016 Woodside Priory School is grateful for the opportunity to educate young persons with great potential and is committed to helping families finance their children’s tuition costs. We recognize how important the decision is to enroll a student in an independent school. We also know that the financial commitment to an independent school can sometimes be beyond the reach of some families with qualified students. As a result the Priory has developed resources within its budget to aid families bridge the gap between their resources and school tuition. For the current school year, 20% of the student body shares $1.95 million in financial assistance. The Priory uses the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS) of Princeton, New Jersey to process its financial aid applications. SSS by NAIS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the infomation provided by the applicant’s family, SSS by NAIS gives the Financial Aid Committee at the Priory an estimated amount, based on national standards, that your family can contribute towards educational expenses. This helps the Committee make fair and objective decisions regarding financial aid. While the admissions and financial aid programs at the Priory are separate processes, we attempt to notify all new students and their families of our financial aid grants at the same time that we notify them of our admissions decisions. It is important you apply for financial aid as soon as possible after November first. Returning families must reapply each year for financial aid. The deadline for new and returning families to file the Parents Financial Statement (PFS) is January 15, 2015. STEP ONE: APPLY ON -LINE (Available in English and Spanish) • Starting on November 1, 2014, go to www.sss.nais.org/parents • Click on the prompt COMPLETE YOUR PFS (Parents Financial Statement) and follow the instructions for completing the PFS. • If you are a new family you will be asked to CREATE AN ACCOUNT and given a username and password that will allow you to return at a later date before submitting the PFS. If you are a returning family, you can log in to start a new PFS for the 2015-2016 school year using your previous e-mail address and password. You need only complete one PFS if you have more than one student applying for financial aid at the Priory • On the online application, you are asked to identify the name of the school(s) which you want to receive the report. The Priory’s school code is 8302 and our address is 302 Portola Road; Portola Valley, CA 94028. You need only complete one application if you are applying for financial aid at more than one school using SSS by NAIS. STEP TWO: DOWNLOAD TAX INFORMATION The second requirement of the filing procedure is to send a copy of your 2014 1040 IRS Federal tax form and supporting schedules on or before February 9, 2015 to the School and Student Service by NAIS. This can be sent electronically or by mail. Follow the instructions for each method provided by SSS by NAIS. STEP THREE: FILE THE PRIORY FINANCIAL AID REQUEST FORM The Priory Financial Aid Request Form should be submitted on or before February 9, 2015. This form will provide your family an opportunity to indicate any special considerations regarding your application that may not be addressed on the PFS. It will also give the Financial Aid Committee the names(s) of all students from your family that will be applying for Financial Aid. RESOURCES: SSS by NAIS provides provides a number of resources for families to help become familiar with the financial aid process. This publication can be downloaded from the website, sss.nais.org/parents. Please be aware of the filing deadlines as noted above. Financial Aid requests received after the filing dates will not be considered in the first round of grants. INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING FINANCIAL AID IS CONSIDERED CONFIDENTIAL The Priory respects the privacy rights of all individuals involved in the financial aid process, including parents, students and teachers. Information furnished as part of the financial aid program is confidential for use solely by the Priory Administration and the Financial Aid Committee. This information will not be disclosed to anyone, including the applicant and his or her family.
Woodside Priory School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Priory does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies and requirements, admissions and financial aid programs, or athletic and student life activities on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AT THE PRIORY Will a request for financial aid influence the admissions decision? No. The Priory adheres to a need blind admissions policy and bases its acceptance requirements for students on academic merit, potential and personal qualities. Can a child help defray educational expenses? Yes. We encourage students to take advantage of the “Panther Jobs Program” where a student can apply for a job available in one of the campus offices or through a member of the faculty or staff. This program is available to all Priory students. The Panther Jobs Program is not based on financial need nor is it part of the Financial Aid program. Is there a repayment obligation involved when a family receives aid from the Priory? There is no obligation to repay a financial aid award. However, the Priory hopes that the recipient will make a voluntary effort at some future time to repay the grant, either in full or in part, enabling the Priory to award similar aid to future students. Is a student receiving financial aid required to assume extra responsibilities? No. Is financial aid renewed each year automatically? The Priory asks families receiving financial aid to reapply each year. However, once financial aid has been awarded, it is reasonable to expect that aid will be renewed each year, providing the family’s financial situation has not changed substantially. Changes in a family’s financial situation could result in an increase or decrease in financial aid, depending on individual circumstances. When other children in the family are attending tuition-charging schools, does this influence the Priory’s financial aid decision? Yes, one of the factors that influence the decision is the family’s financial commitment to education. The Priory may take into account the amount of discretionary income for education that can be divided among all children attending tuition-charging schools. What about families with more than one student at the Priory. The Priory does not have a family plan. However, families with more than one student enrolled are encouraged to request financial aid. Qualified families with more than one child at the Priory are given preference for financial aid. Are there certain academic standards required of students receiving financial aid? The financial aid program is based solely on need. However, students receiving aid must be in good academic standing in all subject areas (i.e. 2.0 GPA and no D’s or F’s). Can a student receive a scholarship based on merit alone? Occasionally, funds are made available to students whose academic success is outstanding. However, the funds to support merit scholarships are limited. Does home equity influence the financial aid decision? The Priory generally does not consider home equity on the family’s residence in the financial aid decision. Other assets such as income producing properties, securities or corporate/business holdings may, however, be considered as they may provide the family with a greater financial security, additional income or ability to pay educational costs from other sources. What happens if the parents are divorced or separated? Regarding financial aid, the matter of divorce or separation of parents is challenging. The Priory considers the assets of both natural parents and their individual family situations before making an award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. In this situation, the custodial parent fills out a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and submits it to SSS. The non-custodial parent must also file a separate PFS form. It is the custodial parent’s responsibility to insure this procedure is completed. If this step cannot be completed, contact the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Is there a minimum income a family must have in order to be considered for financial aid? No, net income is not the only factor used in making financial aid decisions. Assets, debts, and numbers of dependents are among the various elements the Priory uses and these factors may have an influence on financial aid decisions. Does the School and Student Service provide the funds for financial aid? No, the Priory uses its own resources for financial aid. These resources come from a variety of sources, among which are endowment and gifts to the school. ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL 302 PORTOLA ROAD • PORTOLA VALLEY, CA 94028 • (650) 851-8223 [email protected]
Woodside Priory School Financial Aid Request Form Applying for the Academic Year 2015-2016 PLEASE NOTE THE NAME(S) OF ALL NEW AND RETURNING PRIORY STUDENTS IN YOUR FAMILY APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID. STUDENT NAME(S) GRADE NEXT FALL (2015-2016 YEAR) STUDENT 1: STUDENT 2: STUDENT 3: NOTE THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID FROM THE PRIORY YOU ARE REQUESTING FOR EACH STUDENT: Please give the amount you are requesting for each student for the school year 2015-2016, not the total amount your family is requesting. STUDENT 1:
$
STUDENT 2:
$
STUDENT 3
$
IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH YOU WANT THE PRIORY FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE TO BE AWARE OF, BEYOND WHAT IS REQUESTED ON THE PFS, PLEASE NOTE ON A SEPARATE PAGE. SIGNED: DATE: (Financially Responsible Parent) CHECKLIST: SSS/PFS FORM SUBMITTED ON: (The deadline for submission is January 15, 2015) 2012 IRS FORM 1040 SUBMITTED TO SSS by NAIS (Deadline for submission is February 9, 2015) Priory Financial Aid Request Form SENT TO: WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
Financial Aid (For students enrolling in the 2015-2016 school year)
Important Filing
Deadlines
January 15, 2015 Parents Financial Statement (PFS) filed with the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS). February 9, 2015 Priory Financial Aid Request form and the Forms 1040 IRS for the 2014 tax year filed with SSS by NAIS.
Our values are timeless. Our community is real. Our vision is far reaching. www.PrioryCA.org
WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL FINANCIAL AID PROGRAM FOR THE ACADEMIC YEAR 2015-2016 Woodside Priory School is grateful for the opportunity to educate young persons with great potential and is committed to helping families finance their children’s tuition costs. We recognize how important the decision is to enroll a student in an independent school. We also know that the financial commitment to an independent school can sometimes be beyond the reach of some families with qualified students. As a result the Priory has developed resources within its budget to aid families bridge the gap between their resources and school tuition. For the current school year, 20% of the student body shares $1.95 million in financial assistance. The Priory uses the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS) of Princeton, New Jersey to process its financial aid applications. SSS by NAIS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the infomation provided by the applicant’s family, SSS by NAIS gives the Financial Aid Committee at the Priory an estimated amount, based on national standards, that your family can contribute towards educational expenses. This helps the Committee make fair and objective decisions regarding financial aid. While the admissions and financial aid programs at the Priory are separate processes, we attempt to notify all new students and their families of our financial aid grants at the same time that we notify them of our admissions decisions. It is important you apply for financial aid as soon as possible after November first. Returning families must reapply each year for financial aid. The deadline for new and returning families to file the Parents Financial Statement (PFS) is January 15, 2015. STEP ONE: APPLY ON -LINE (Available in English and Spanish) • Starting on November 1, 2014, go to www.sss.nais.org/parents • Click on the prompt COMPLETE YOUR PFS (Parents Financial Statement) and follow the instructions for completing the PFS. • If you are a new family you will be asked to CREATE AN ACCOUNT and given a username and password that will allow you to return at a later date before submitting the PFS. If you are a returning family, you can log in to start a new PFS for the 2015-2016 school year using your previous e-mail address and password. You need only complete one PFS if you have more than one student applying for financial aid at the Priory • On the online application, you are asked to identify the name of the school(s) which you want to receive the report. The Priory’s school code is 8302 and our address is 302 Portola Road; Portola Valley, CA 94028. You need only complete one application if you are applying for financial aid at more than one school using SSS by NAIS. STEP TWO: DOWNLOAD TAX INFORMATION The second requirement of the filing procedure is to send a copy of your 2014 1040 IRS Federal tax form and supporting schedules on or before February 9, 2015 to the School and Student Service by NAIS. This can be sent electronically or by mail. Follow the instructions for each method provided by SSS by NAIS. STEP THREE: FILE THE PRIORY FINANCIAL AID REQUEST FORM The Priory Financial Aid Request Form should be submitted on or before February 9, 2015. This form will provide your family an opportunity to indicate any special considerations regarding your application that may not be addressed on the PFS. It will also give the Financial Aid Committee the names(s) of all students from your family that will be applying for Financial Aid. RESOURCES: SSS by NAIS provides provides a number of resources for families to help become familiar with the financial aid process. This publication can be downloaded from the website, sss.nais.org/parents. Please be aware of the filing deadlines as noted above. Financial Aid requests received after the filing dates will not be considered in the first round of grants. INFORMATION PROVIDED REGARDING FINANCIAL AID IS CONSIDERED CONFIDENTIAL The Priory respects the privacy rights of all individuals involved in the financial aid process, including parents, students and teachers. Information furnished as part of the financial aid program is confidential for use solely by the Priory Administration and the Financial Aid Committee. This information will not be disclosed to anyone, including the applicant and his or her family.
Woodside Priory School admits students of any race, color, religion, gender or national or ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. The Priory does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies and requirements, admissions and financial aid programs, or athletic and student life activities on the basis of any characteristic protected by law.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT FINANCIAL AID AT THE PRIORY Will a request for financial aid influence the admissions decision? No. The Priory adheres to a need blind admissions policy and bases its acceptance requirements for students on academic merit, potential and personal qualities. Can a child help defray educational expenses? Yes. We encourage students to take advantage of the “Panther Jobs Program” where a student can apply for a job available in one of the campus offices or through a member of the faculty or staff. This program is available to all Priory students. The Panther Jobs Program is not based on financial need nor is it part of the Financial Aid program. Is there a repayment obligation involved when a family receives aid from the Priory? There is no obligation to repay a financial aid award. However, the Priory hopes that the recipient will make a voluntary effort at some future time to repay the grant, either in full or in part, enabling the Priory to award similar aid to future students. Is a student receiving financial aid required to assume extra responsibilities? No. Is financial aid renewed each year automatically? The Priory asks families receiving financial aid to reapply each year. However, once financial aid has been awarded, it is reasonable to expect that aid will be renewed each year, providing the family’s financial situation has not changed substantially. Changes in a family’s financial situation could result in an increase or decrease in financial aid, depending on individual circumstances. When other children in the family are attending tuition-charging schools, does this influence the Priory’s financial aid decision? Yes, one of the factors that influence the decision is the family’s financial commitment to education. The Priory may take into account the amount of discretionary income for education that can be divided among all children attending tuition-charging schools. What about families with more than one student at the Priory. The Priory does not have a family plan. However, families with more than one student enrolled are encouraged to request financial aid. Qualified families with more than one child at the Priory are given preference for financial aid. Are there certain academic standards required of students receiving financial aid? The financial aid program is based solely on need. However, students receiving aid must be in good academic standing in all subject areas (i.e. 2.0 GPA and no D’s or F’s). Can a student receive a scholarship based on merit alone? Occasionally, funds are made available to students whose academic success is outstanding. However, the funds to support merit scholarships are limited. Does home equity influence the financial aid decision? The Priory generally does not consider home equity on the family’s residence in the financial aid decision. Other assets such as income producing properties, securities or corporate/business holdings may, however, be considered as they may provide the family with a greater financial security, additional income or ability to pay educational costs from other sources. What happens if the parents are divorced or separated? Regarding financial aid, the matter of divorce or separation of parents is challenging. The Priory considers the assets of both natural parents and their individual family situations before making an award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. In this situation, the custodial parent fills out a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and submits it to SSS. The non-custodial parent must also file a separate PFS form. It is the custodial parent’s responsibility to insure this procedure is completed. If this step cannot be completed, contact the Director of Admissions and Financial Aid. Is there a minimum income a family must have in order to be considered for financial aid? No, net income is not the only factor used in making financial aid decisions. Assets, debts, and numbers of dependents are among the various elements the Priory uses and these factors may have an influence on financial aid decisions. Does the School and Student Service provide the funds for financial aid? No, the Priory uses its own resources for financial aid. These resources come from a variety of sources, among which are endowment and gifts to the school. ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL 302 PORTOLA ROAD • PORTOLA VALLEY, CA 94028 • (650) 851-8223 [email protected]
Woodside Priory School Financial Aid Request Form Applying for the Academic Year 2015-2016 PLEASE NOTE THE NAME(S) OF ALL NEW AND RETURNING PRIORY STUDENTS IN YOUR FAMILY APPLYING FOR FINANCIAL AID. STUDENT NAME(S) GRADE NEXT FALL (2015-2016 YEAR) STUDENT 1: STUDENT 2: STUDENT 3: NOTE THE SPECIFIC AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL AID FROM THE PRIORY YOU ARE REQUESTING FOR EACH STUDENT: Please give the amount you are requesting for each student for the school year 2015-2016, not the total amount your family is requesting. STUDENT 1:
$
STUDENT 2:
$
STUDENT 3
$
IF THERE IS ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, WHICH YOU WANT THE PRIORY FINANCIAL AID COMMITTEE TO BE AWARE OF, BEYOND WHAT IS REQUESTED ON THE PFS, PLEASE NOTE ON A SEPARATE PAGE. SIGNED: DATE: (Financially Responsible Parent) CHECKLIST: SSS/PFS FORM SUBMITTED ON: (The deadline for submission is January 15, 2015) 2012 IRS FORM 1040 SUBMITTED TO SSS by NAIS (Deadline for submission is February 9, 2015) Priory Financial Aid Request Form SENT TO: WOODSIDE PRIORY SCHOOL ADMISSIONS AND FINANCIAL AID OFFICE
