Financial Aid Resources

Affording quality education does take some planning, and most families employ several strategies to keep the costs within reach. In this planning it is important to realize that the family bears the primary responsibility for financing a child's education to the extent that it is able. After that there are others out there to help you in your efforts.

The best source of information lies with the financial aid officers at the individual schools you're considering. They can explain the full range of options that they offer and may be able to provide some information on the limited outside funding sources available. Each school offers different strategies and has different policies, so it is important to ask each school about various options and see how these options fit within your financial planning.

Need-based Financial Aid

Schools award financial aid grants based upon the financial need of a family. These grants do not need to be paid back and are used to offset tuition costs. The money for these grants comes directly from the school's budget and demonstrates the school's commitment to having a socio-economically diverse student population.

To determine your family's eligibility, you will have to fill out an application for financial aid. You can get this form from the school's financial aid officer. Most TAIS schools use the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) from the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, New Jersey or FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment.

The amount of aid a family receives may vary considerably from school to school. The size of its endowment, its tuition costs, and its philosophy of awarding aid affect how much a school offers. If your decision to send your child to a private school depends on getting some financial help, it pays to apply for aid at more than one school.

Merit Awards

While most schools offer need-based aid, some schools also offer special scholarships based on criteria other than economic circumstances, such as merit scholarships and sibling discounts.