FINANCIAL AID GRANTS AT ST. THOMAS SCHOOL
Financial aid policy at St. Thomas School reflects the school’s philosophical commitment to create and sustain an extraordinary learning community by admitting students, and welcoming families, from a wide range of backgrounds. Financial aid is a component of STS’ strong commitment to our partnership with parents. While families have a primary responsibility to support their children’s education, STS strives to make our programs accessible to qualified students through financial aid grants.
Fact Summary: Financial Aid Grants for school year 2009-2010
Projected enrollment |
260 |
Grants awarded |
39 |
% of students receiving grants |
14% |
Average amount of grant |
$10,013 |
Average effective income per family receiving one or more grants |
$74,799 |
Total amount awarded |
$370,474 |
Grant Applications for School Year 2010-2011
How do I know if our family will qualify for a financial aid grant?
Every family has a unique financial circumstance. In addition to financial data, all relevant family circumstances are considered. Individual situations may vary significantly due to assets and other factors, so this should not be regarded as a guarantee or limit to potential grants.
St. Thomas School is committed to making enrollment as accessible as possible to all continuing and newly admitted students regardless of a family’s ability to afford tuition. Students are offered re-enrollment contracts or admission without consideration of a family’s financial situation, which is to say that STS’ admission policy is “need-blind.” In considering whether to apply for financial aid, please begin by reviewing this document, STS’ Financial Aid Policy, the St. Thomas School Application for a Financial Aid Grant, and the Parents’ Financial Statement that must be submitted to “SSS” – the School and Student Service for Financial Aid – as part of STS’ application.
How do I apply?
You may access the SSS form online at www.nais.org. From the menu, select “Admission & Financial Aid,” or you may contact St. Thomas School and request information from the Financial Aid Officer, who will provide your family with application forms from St. Thomas School and “SSS” (School and Student Services for Financial Aid, a division of the National Association of Independent Schools).
Step-by-step:
- Complete the St. Thomas School Application for a Financial Aid Grant
- Complete the application for SSS School and Student Services for Financial Aid, a division of the National Association of Independent Schools. If you complete the SSS application on line, be sure to print two copies – one for your own files and one to send to St. Thomas School.
- Prepare copies of your completed IRS tax return for 2009, including employer
W-2s. - Send copies of:
- St. Thomas School Application for a Financial Aid Grant (may be sent in advance of the other materials)
- Copy of the Parents’ Financial Statement of the SSS application
- Copy of your tax return for 2009 + W-2s or other relevant documentation
to:
Financial Aid Officer
St. Thomas School
8300 N.E. 12th Street
Medina, WA 98039
If necessary, you may provide a cover letter explaining any circumstances that you feel should be considered or may not be understood from the application form or financial data.
What if I am divorced or separated?
In the case of families where the parents are divorced or separated, both parents must submit applications and the substantiating financial documentation. If for any reason this is not possible, the parent responsible for signing the enrollment contract should contact the Financial Aid Officer in advance of any and all deadlines.
Why does St. Thomas School require its own, separate financial aid application?
While some of the questions that STS asks on its application include information requested on the SSS Financial Statement, the STS Application serves to:
- Initiate the application process
- Supplement information from the SSS Statement
- Provide families with the opportunity to describe their request and situation in more detail and directly to St. Thomas School.
Thus, it allows families to inform us earlier than the SSS process; the STS form can be completed and submitted as soon as possible with the substantiating information following when available and as completed.
What are the deadlines for completing an application for a financial aid grant?
The following are the due dates for application for financial aid grants and the projected date of notification. Please note that continuing students receive priority consideration in order to facilitate the re-enrollment process.
We understand that financial circumstances may change suddenly for families. Thus, applications may be submitted at any time, even after the deadline. However, STS’ ability to fulfill grant applications may be limited by the resources available, and this is especially true for applications received after the due dates below.
Due date for all students: |
Friday, February 5, 2010 |
Notification date for continuing students |
Friday, February 19, 2010 |
Notification date for new students: |
Thursday, March 18, 2010 |
STS may require additional information and documentation when requests for additional financial aid are received after grants have been made.
All applicants must have submitted the STS Application for Financial Aid Grant, provided STS with a copy of the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) as submitted to SSS, and a copy of their tax return for 2009 no later than February 5, 2010 in order to be considered for the first round of financial aid grants for school year 2010-2011.
If you would like to discuss any aspect of financial aid grants and their administration at STS, contact David Selby, Associate Head and Financial Aid Officer at 425.454.5880, x.3116, or david.selby@stthomasschool.org.
All inquiries and applications are confidential. Financial and personal information provided to the Financial Aid Officer or Financial Aid Committee is not shared with Admissions.