Frequently Asked Questions On Financial Aid
- How do I apply for financial aid?
- What are the ways that families afford Saint Patrick Catholic School?
- Will applying for financial aid affect my child's chance for admission?
- After receiving the financial aid award, we still simply can't afford the tuition expected of us. Is it possible to appeal the financial aid committee's decision?
- If we are awarded financial aid this year, will we have to apply for aid each year?
- How is my financial aid award determined?
- How do you handle financial situations in the event of divorced, separated, or never married parents?
How do I apply for financial aid?
If you are interested in a financial aid application, you may apply online at http://www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. The school code is 4079. You may also contact the Admissions Office. We will be happy to answer any questions you may have and help you complete the simple application process.
What are the ways that families afford Saint Patrick Catholic School?
Families may pay for Saint Patrick Catholic School in a variety of ways. The most common are:
- Quarterly or semi-annual payment plans
- Need-based financial aid
- Support from grandparents and other family members
- 10-month payment plan
Will applying for financial aid affect my child's chance for admission?
Not at all. The admissions decision is entirely separate and distinct from the financial aid process. A student's acceptance to the school is based solely on merit without regard to need for financial aid.
After receiving the financial aid award, we still simply can't afford the tuition expected of us. Is it possible to appeal the financial aid committee's decision?
Certainly. Our committee will reconsider any written information that was not previously considered. If you feel that you have omitted or not appropriately clarified specific financial information, mention this in your written appeal for reconsideration.
If we are awarded financial aid this year, will we have to apply for aid each year?
Yes, you will. Families of returning student(s) are required to re-apply for financial aid. The deadlines for filing for financial aid are the same for returning students as they are for new students and should be strictly met. It is also imperative that bills from the current school year be paid up to date at the time of applying for financial aid for the next school year.
Awards are recalculated each year and reflect any changes that may have taken place with regard to a family's financial situation.
How is my financial aid award determined?
School and Student Service (SSS) takes into account a number of standard and universal financial factors when computing a family's financial need. Some of the most notable are income and expenses, assets, family size, age of parents, and number of children attending tuition-charging institutions. SSS analyzes these factors and then computes a discretionary income. A portion of this discretionary income is then suggested as the contribution a family should make towards education at Saint Patrick Catholic School. The greater the discretionary income, the higher the potential family contribution. Saint Patrick Catholic School then uses the above information to assess a family's financial strength relative to all of the other families who are also applying for aid.
How do you handle financial situations in the event of divorced, separated, or never married parents?
The Financial Aid Committee must consider all funds available to the applicant. In cases where parents are separated or divorced, both the custodial parent and the non-custodial parent must file a Parent's Financial Statement.
The Financial Aid Committee will consider waiving the requirement of the application for financial aid by the non-custodial parent under the following circumstances.
- Information is provided that clearly indicates that the location of the non-custodial parent is unknown.
- Information is provided that the non-custodial parent has provided no support and has had no contact with the family for at least five years.
- There may be other extenuating circumstances that would warrant our waiving this requirement. Written inquires should be sent to the attention of the Business Office.