Presenter name Presenter title Counting The Costs: An Introduction to Financial Aid for Private and Independent Schools Event Date Presenter organization

2 The “Five Ws” of Financial Aid Who is responsible for paying for my child’s education? What is “financial aid”? Why should I apply for financial aid? When should I start planning? Where should I go for more help?

Who is responsible for paying for a child’s education?

What is Financial Aid?

Grants Financial aid in the form of a grant from a school is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. Need-based School-financed Financial assistance comes from each school’s budget, not from SSS by NAIS or from the government. Other types of help that may be available Loans, monthly payment plans Scholarships What is Financial Aid?

Tuition and Financial Aid Landscape Source: National Association of Independent Schools

When should I start planning for applying for financial aid for Academic Year ?

Make a schedule to meet school deadlines. Most deadlines fall between December – April. Missed deadlines = missed dollars. Make a budget: Add all sources of income (wages, tips, child support, etc.). Subtract all expenses. Improve the bottom-line: Decrease expenses / Increase discretionary income Research full cost of attendance: tuition+ fees+ books+ trips + ? Do your tax returns early. When should I start planning for ?

Check your school’s financial aid AND admissions deadline – they may be different. Missing deadlines could result in reduced aid or NO aid. DO NOT wait until you have received an admission decision to begin the financial aid process. Plan ahead: Begin collecting documents early. Set personal deadline 2-3 weeks earlier than schools’ deadlines. Allow time to ask questions When should I submit my information?

How do I apply for financial aid?

Contact the school(s) you are considering for the year. Request financial aid information when you first contact the school for admission information. Collect all the documents you need: Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) or other aid application School-specific forms Supplementary questionnaires Tax-related documents 1040, W-2s, any additional tax schedules/forms Bank Statements Bills/receipts (i.e. unexpected household, medical expenses ) How do I apply for financial aid?

Submit and pay for the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) financial aid application - $42 nonrefundable fee (Pay by credit card, direct debit/ACH, PayPal) Mail or upload additional required forms directly to SSS unless the school tells you otherwise.

How are financial aid awards calculated?

Income (money coming in) minus Expenses (money going out) Assets (what you own) minus Liabilities (what you owe) Family Members (everyone who lives in the house) SSS takes all items into consideration to determine your Discretionary Income. SSS will recommend to the school what portion of your discretionary income is available to pay for education. Each school will verify the information you presented, then calculate their ability to meet your remaining need. How is my financial aid award calculated?

15 Frequently Asked Questions Will my retirement accounts be included? How does my home equity factor in? How do I know if I’m even going to qualify? How long does the application take to complete? What if I don’t have my taxes done in time to submit them? What if I’m divorced? How do College Savings Plans like “529s” work?

How is my financial aid award calculated? Tuition/Total Cost of Attendance -Family Contribution (as calculated by SSS) Total Financial Need Financial aid offer from school

Financial Need Calculation Example 1: School Can Meet Full Need $17,000 Cost of Attendance -$5,000 Family Contribution (as calculated by SSS) $12,000 Financial Need If school meets 100% of need $12,000 Financial Aid Grant

Financial Need Calculation Example 2: School Can Meet Partial Need $17,000 Cost of Attendance -$5,000 Family Contribution (as calculated by SSS) If school meets 75% of need: $9,000 Financial Aid Grant $12,000 Financial Need

Comparing Financial Aid Offers School 1: Full Need $15,000Cost of Attendance - $ 3,000 Family Contribution $12,000Financial Need $15,000Cost of Attendance - $12,000Financial Aid Award $ 3,000Bottom Line School Meets 100% of Need School 2: Partial Need $10,000Cost of Attendance - $ 3,000 Family Contribution $ 7,000Financial Need $10,000Cost of Attendance - $ 3,500Financial Aid Award $ 6,500Bottom Line School Meets 50% of Need

More resources available at sss.nais.org/parents

What else do I need to know?

What else do I need to know? Read your school’s financial aid instructions. On the PFS, fill in all required questions. On the PFS, give estimates and use zeros when appropriate (do not leave items blank). Pay for PFS Online by credit card, direct debit, PayPal, or Fee Waiver. Keep copies of all forms and documents. Submit supporting documents by upload or mail. Allow 5-7 business days for processing documents sent via mail

Where should I go for more help?

Your school’s admissions or financial aid professional SSS Customer Service Center (800) or Assistance in English and Spanish.

How do I complete the Parents’ Financial Statement online at sss.nais.org/parents?

Find guidance for getting started.

Go to sss.nais.org/parents.

Not sure if your school uses SSS? Search by school code or state.

Section Preview: Questions you will answer and the information needed to answer the questions.

Green checks mean that section is complete. Red boxes mean an entry is required.

Select your schools

The PFS application is smart, so it asks you only questions that you need to answer.

Input this year’s actual and next year’s projected income.

Look for inline guidance to answer certain questions.

What can you afford to contribute? Be honest.

Something not captured on PFS? Tell your story.

You can complete your PFS in one sitting or save and return to it as often as you need.

Manage your application process through Family Portal.

Need more information? Your school’s admissions or financial aid professional PFS Application Helpline (800) Visit us at sss.nais.org/parents, to help you understand financial aid and complete your PFS Free downloads for families The SSS Family Guide to Financial Aid “Understanding Financial Aid” ebook from AdmissionsQuest and SSS

Thank You! sss.nais.org/parents