What kind of financial aid is available from Georgetown Day School?
Financial aid awards at GDS are in the form of direct grants that require no repayment. During the 2003–2004 school year, financial aid awards will range from $1,000 to $19,000 per student. The average award is approximately $11,500. Although the School does not offer loans to families, parents may spread their tuition payments throughout the academic year by registering with Academic Management Systems (AMS) for a nominal fee. Detailed information about payment options is available from the Business Office and is included with letters of acceptance.
How do I apply for financial aid?
All financial aid applicants must complete the Georgetown Day School Financial Aid Application and the School and Student Service for Financial Aid Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). Families must also submit a complete copy of their 2003 tax return to GDS. Parents who own their own business are required to submit the appropriate tax return as well. Applicants who request financial aid by checking the box on their application for admission will receive the forms in the mail. These forms are usually available in late October or early November.
Must I reapply for financial aid each year my child is enrolled at GDS?
Yes. Because your financial circumstances may change, you must reapply for aid each year. If there is no significant change in your circumstances, you can expect to receive approximately the same level of support (adjusted for tuition increases) from year to year. Returning families who receive aid will automatically receive financial aid forms with their re-enrollment contracts in January. Returning families who do not currently receive aid from the School must request financial aid forms in order to apply for aid.
How are financial aid awards determined at GDS?
GDS financial aid awards are based solely on need, the difference between the actual cost of a year’s tuition and what a family can realistically expect to pay toward that cost. The School does not offer academic, athletic, or other no-need scholarships. The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) processes the information you provide on the Parents’ Financial Statement to determine what you can afford to pay for your child’s education. SSS balances income, assets, liabilities, family size and the number of children you have in schools that charge tuition against taxes and living costs in making its recommendation. GDS uses the SSS recommendation as a guide to determine the School’s award and your family’s contribution.
Will applying for financial aid affect my child's chances for admission to GDS?
The Admissions Committee makes its initial decisions without regard to financial need. However, because the School does not have unlimited resources, the Committee may be forced on occasion to make difficult decisions about the number of financial aid applicants who can be accepted within the limits of the budget. From time to time, we will accept a student and place his or her name on our financial aid waiting list. If parents are able to find the necessary resources, they may enroll their child in the School. Should money become available, the student may receive aid from GDS.
When will I be notified about my child's financial aid award?
For new students, financial aid awards are mailed along with admissions decisions on March 15. For returning students whose school accounts are current, awards are mailed on April 9. See the end of this pamphlet for a list of important dates and deadlines.
Who determines financial aid awards at GDS?
Awards are made by the Financial Aid Committee, which consists of three members of the senior administrative staff -- the Head of School, the Assistant Head of School, and the Chief Financial Officer.
If I have other children attending tuition-charging institutions, must I also apply for financial aid from those schools?
Yes. GDS assumes that you will seek financial assistance from each of the schools your children attend, including pre-school and college.
Only one of us works outside of the home. Must both parents be employed to receive financial aid from GDS?
If all of your children are in school, GDS generally expects both parents to work outside of the home. However, we do understand that there may be unusual circumstances which make doing so impossible. In those circumstances, the Financial Aid Committee may award aid.
What happens in cases where parents are separated or divorced?
GDS expects both parents to supply financial information and to contribute to the cost of their child’s education. Parents who find themselves in unusual circumstances should contact the School’s Chief Financial Officer.
If I divorce and remarry, will my new spouse be required to contribute to my child's education?
In general, yes. Although circumstances may differ from one family to the next, the addition of another adult often alters a family’s financial circumstances. Like most independent schools, GDS considers total family resources in its financial aid calculations.
If I decide to attend graduate school while my child is at GDS, will our financial aid award be increased?
No. GDS assumes that each parent will continue to earn income and contribute to his or her child’s education, even while attending graduate school.
If I should suffer an unexpected financial setback during the course of the school year, will GDS adjust my child's financial aid award?
GDS is committed to its families. Although financial aid funds are limited, the School will do what it can to help families in need.
Are financial aid recipients required to work or meet special performance requirements?
No. Georgetown Day School believes that each student's primary responsibility is to attend school. Financial aid recipients are not required to work. GDS expects all of its students to do their best at all times, both inside and outside of the classroom. As long as a student is in good standing at GDS, he or she is eligible for financial aid.
Is financial assistance available to financial aid recipients who require tutoring or educational evaluations?
Yes. When the School Administration recommends tutoring or an educational evaluation for a financial aid recipient, the student may be entitled to receive limited assistance, depending on the level of need. In such cases, the family should contact the Assistant Head of School to request financial support.
Important Dates and Deadlines
January 15
Admissions applications due.
January 30
Financial aid forms and 2003 tax returns are due at Georgetown Day School and at SSS for applicant families and current GDS families applying for aid for the first time.
February 13
Financial aid applications and 2003 tax returns are due at Georgetown Day School and at SSS for current GDS families. Current families must also return their signed re-enrollment contracts at this time.
March 15
Financial aid awards are mailed along with admissions decision letters to applicant families.
April 2
Signed enrollment contracts are due from families of newly admitted students.
April 9
Financial aid awards are mailed to current GDS families whose school accounts are paid.
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