The Community School has a need-based Financial Aid Policy. For a school our size, we award a substantial amount of financial aid each year. Our admission decisions are made need-blind, without regard to a family's financial situation. We believe no qualified student should be denied enrollment because his or her family cannot afford tuition. It is also important to remember that an independent school education is a choice for families. Both the school and the families make significant financial sacrifices to 
support this choice. We review each application for financial aid by the same guidelines and evaluate individual family needs relative to others in our school.
There are no specific criteria for financial aid recipients; however, they are expected to be responsible members of the school community and make significant contributions to the school, as well as benefit from our educational program.
Approximately 21% of our students receive need-based financial aid. In addition, another 8% of students receive tuition remission. For the 2009-2010 school year, $816,740 in financial aid funds was distributed among 59 students. All financial aid awards are kept confidential and the Financial Aid Committee maintains all application materials in strict confidence.
Please note that a family's assets are considered when awarding financial aid. Consequently, it is possible for a family with a modest income to qualify for little or no aid if they have significant savings, investments or home equity. Conversely, a family with few assets may qualify for more aid than a family with a similar (or lesser) income who has more assets. The number of children in tuition-charging schools is also considered. The school allocates awards based on each family's demonstrated need.
Is financial aid available for Outdoor Program trips?
For students who qualify for financial aid, parents may request trip aid on a case by case basis. Parents should submit the trip invoice with a written request for trip aid to the Director of Admission and Financial Aid. The Financial Aid Committee then awards aid based on availability of funds and the family's demonstrated need.
Do parents apply for financial aid just once?
Parents are required to apply for aid annually because tuition increases and changes in family resources may affect the amount of the awards. To be considered, parents must submit all forms and documentation on time. Please see the chart below.
How is a family's need determined?
The Community School subscribes to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) by NAIS. Families submit a Parents' Financial Statement, one for each parent in the case of separated or divorced parents, providing detailed financial information to SSS. Then SSS evaluates the information based on a formula nationally accepted by independent schools. The result of the evaluation is printed on a Report of Family Contribution (RFC) and sent to The Community School. In processing applications, SSS takes many factors into account, such as:
- Income (taxable and nontaxable)
- Monetary gifts from grandparents, etc.
- Assets (home equity, rental and vacation property, savings, stocks, bonds, etc.)
- Unusual Expenses (medical, etc.)
- Indebtedness (consumer indebtedness and current business debts are generally not allowable, while debts from a dissolved business are often allowable)
- Family size
- Age of parents (allows for retirement savings)
- Number of children attending tuition-charging schools
SSS considers these factors and provides every family with a living allowance based on family size. This allowance protects a certain amount of income after a variety of expenses are already subtracted from a family's income. SSS also caps home equity at three times the total income. This process helps determine a family's "discretionary income." A portion of this discretionary income is then suggested as the family contribution for education. The more discretionary income a family has the higher the family's expected contribution for education.
There can be some variation between the SSS estimation of a family's financial need and what The Community School actually awards. While SSS merely keys in the data provided on the PFS, our Director of Admission and Financial Aid reviews and recalculates the family's financial profile based on information gleaned from taxes and other documentation provided by the family. The Financial Aid Committee then meets to discuss each family's situation and allocates awards accordingly. Our committee also considers the reality that we live in a high cost area.
What is the average financial aid award?
In 2009-2010, the average financial aid award was $12,269 in the elementary school, $13,335 in the middle school and $14,704 in the upper school. The average overall percentage of tuition granted is 62%.
What about separated or divorced parents?
The Community School endorses the recommended policy of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid stating that parents have the obligation to pay for the educational expenses of their children to the extent they are able, and that obligation takes precedence over the school's responsibility to provide financial assistance. We believe the primary responsibility for a child's education rests with both natural parents. We cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. Financial aid is based on ability to pay, not willingness to pay. Therefore, we expect both parents to complete all steps in the application process. The income and assets of stepparents or domestic partners will also be included in calculations, always bearing in mind the obligation of that partner to his or her own natural children. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to request additional forms for the non-custodial parent if they have not been mailed with the financial aid packet. We will waive the requirement for the non-custodial parent to complete the PFS and other forms if the location of the non-custodial parent is unknown or we have documented information that the non-custodial parent provides no support and is not in contact with the child. If extenuating circumstances might warrant waiving this requirement, written requests should be sent to the Financial Aid Committee.
Must both parents be employed to receive financial aid?
In general, both parents must be employed if all children in the family are beyond preschool age. For many of our families (those who receive aid and those who do not), both parents are employed so that they can provide an independent school education for their children. We also realize that in some families circumstances may make this impossible. Explaining the circumstances in your financial aid application and describing the non-working partner's plans for eventual employment are important. In order to prevent penalizing dual-income families, we may impute a salary amount for non-working parents as an equalizer, unless extenuating circumstances prohibit a parent from working.
How much does it cost to apply for aid?
The fee to apply online is $35 and the fee to submit the PFS in print
is $42. This new price is all inclusive, in that it covers all
reports to school -- this new price will result in a net savings for
most families. An easy-to-use PFS and parent website will be launching
by late summer. Parents will also find an improved customer service
center to answer their questions as they work through the PFS. The Community School charges no fee for processing a Financial Aid Application.
Should our family apply for financial aid?
Few families find it easy to pay independent school tuition. Most families adjust their spending priorities, maximize both parents' earnings, and carefully manage assets to do so. We would like to provide firm guidelines to help you decide whether to apply for aid, but we have found that each family's combination of circumstances is unique. The most helpful guideline comes from your own knowledge of your family's finances. A good rule of thumb is, if in doubt, apply. The cost is minimal, and there is no specific income level at which a family no longer qualifies for financial aid. Every situation is unique. If you feel you cannot pay the financial aid application fee, there are limited fee waivers available through the Admission Office.
What are the deadlines for the school year?
Please notify the Director of Admission and Financial Aid as soon as possible if you plan to apply for financial aid. Financial Aid Application packets will be mailed to families desiring to apply for aid in January 2010. To be considered for an award for the school year, parents/guardians must submit documents as reflected in the following chart.
Reminder: For separated or divorced parents, each parent (custodial and non-custodial) must submit all required forms on behalf of his or her household In certain cases, we may request that grandparents or other individuals who pay for most or all of a student's tuition submit an application in lieu of or in addition to the parent(s) application.
What | Where | When |
Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS),
with processing $35 or $42 fee Note:
DO NOT send income tax returns to SSS;
DO send copies of tax returns to
The Community School | SSS by NAIS
PO Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449
Please make a copy of the PFS for your personal records. | Mail or fill out online no later than
February 17, 2010 |
The Community School
Financial Aid Application,
with a copy of
2009 income tax return,
to include these IRS Forms: - 1040
- W-2s
- 1099s
- 4506 (if requested)
- 4868 (if tax return incomplete)
| The Community School Financial Aid Office Please note that this form has changed from previous years. Also note that beginning in 2007, we now request form 4506 from all financial aid applicants
| Due to TCS no later than
April 5, 2010 |
(if you own a business or farm) Business/Farm Statement,
with a copy of these IRS Forms: - Schedule C (1040) 1120, if incorporated
- 1120SH, if Subchapter S
- CorpK-1, if partner/shareholder
| The Community School Financial Aid Office | Due to TCS no later than
April 5, 2010 |
What other resources are available to help fund my child's independent school education?
There are student loans available through sources outside of the school. The following link will take you to the NAIS website which offers a listing of some of the tuition loan programs available for K-12 schools. Tuition Loan Programs
Please call The Director of Admission and Financial Aid for further information: Katie Robins 622-3960 ext. 117