FINANCIAL AID POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
The Philadelphia School (TPS) seeks a student
body that reflects the ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic
diversity of its urban environment. We try to provide assistance
to those students who would be unable to attend the school without
financial help; we anticipate that at least 25 percent of our
students will require tuition assistance. Currently, 24 percent
of the student body in preschool through eighth grade receives
awards totaling over $975,000.
We assume that families applying for financial
aid consider education for their children a high priority and
are willing to make necessary, but not undue, sacrifices to
be able to provide their children with a TPS education. To this
end, we believe that both (or in some cases, all) parents will
try to contribute honestly toward tuition and will seek employment
if necessary in order to help defray school costs.
Tuition assistance is awarded by the Financial
Aid Committee each year. All financial aid is determined by
the family's demonstrated financial need, student merit, and
the limited funds available. Families are required to reapply
for aid each year. Although financial assistance awarded for
one year does not automatically guarantee continued aid, tuition
assistance will normally be renewed if a family's economic situation
continues to indicate financial need and if the Head of School determines
that the child's academic and social progress is satisfactory.
Priority in awarding financial aid is given to staff children
and families already receiving aid, followed by families of
currently enrolled students who are applying for the first time
and, finally, by families of students new to the school.
In the case of never-married, separated, or divorced
parents, it is the school's policy to consider all of the income
and assets available to both natural (or adoptive) parents before
making any award. The Financial aid Committee cannot be bound
by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility
for educational expenses. Remarriage of either parent creates
a new family unit with new relationships, but we believe that
natural (or adoptive) parents still have a responsibility for
educational expenses despite any legal agreements to the contrary.
In accordance with this policy, both the custodial
and non-custodial parents and any spouse or partners must file
the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) with the School and Student
Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Pittsburgh, PA, either
by mail or by using the online website at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss.
The Philadelphia School does not discriminate
in the administration of its financial aid policies because
of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or age in violation
of existing state or federal law or regulations.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
Every applicant for financial aid is asked to
follow the procedures outlined below. All necessary forms are
available from the Director of Admission and Financial Aid.
Because financial aid funds are limited, it is important that
these steps be completed NO LATER THAN MARCH 3, 2008, so that
all applicants can be considered when the Financial Aid Committee
convenes in early April. If materials are submitted after March
3, families may have to be put on a financial aid waitlist.
Please read the following instructions carefully. If you have
any questions concerning your application for financial aid,
please call Dana Marcus, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, at 215-545-5323,
ext. 227.
- Complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) and mail
it with your check directly to the SSS (the School and Student
Service for Financial Aid) in Pittsburgh, PA, or use the online
form at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. (If you have children
enrolled in more than one independent school, or if you have
more than one student enrolled in this school, it is only
necessary to file one PFS.) The SSS computes an amount of
demonstrated need for each child and reports this information
to the schools chosen by the family.*
- Mail or bring a photocopy of the completed PFS to the Director
of Admission and Financial Aid at The Philadelphia School
(not the original). You should also keep a photocopy for your
own records.
- The Philadelphia School requires a copy of the family's
(and, where applicable, the non-custodial family's) Federal
Income Tax forms (1040) with all schedules attached, as well
as a copy of the W-2 form(s) for the year ending December
31, 2008. DO NOT SEND YOUR TAX FORMS TO PITTSBURGH; they will
be destroyed.
- If the natural (or adoptive) parents are separated or divorced
or have never married, the non-custodial parent (and any spouse
or partner) must also complete and send a copy of the PFS
to Pittsburgh. In addition, s/he must send a photocopy of the
completed form to The Philadelphia School as well as copies
of current income tax forms (1040 form) with all schedules
attached and current W-2 forms. Please note that only the
PFS should be sent to Princeton.
- If the custodial and/or non-custodial parents own a business,
they must fill out the SSS Business/Farm Statement and return
it to The Philadelphia School. Copies of this form are available
online from the National Association of Independent Schools
at www.nais.org. If you are unable to download this form or
do not have access to a computer, you may request a copy from
the Director of Admission and Financial Aid.
- Please be sure to make photocopies of all forms and tax
records for your own files before sending them to The Philadelphia
School. Please note that the school cannot be responsible
for any original documents that are submitted, nor can we
be responsible for making copies for you.
*Please note that the SSS in Pittsburgh does
not decide on the recipients of awards or the amounts thereof.
Rather, it provides analysis, information, and statistical tables
designed to help enable schools to make informed, consistent,
and equitable decisions. All decisions concerning financial
aid awards are confidential and are the responsibility of the Financial Aid Committee
of The Philadelphia School and are based on demonstrated need
and/or merit. The Financial Aid Committee consists of a member
of the Board of Trustees, the Principal, the Director of Admission
and Financial Aid, and the Business Manager.
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