What type of financial assistance is available?
Nashoba Brooks offers need-based assistance to current and incoming families with demonstrated financial need as assessed by the School and Student Services For Financial Aid. Awards are grants and do not require repayment. Loans or merit-based scholarships are not available.
The School budgets approximately 12.5% of annual tuition revenue for financial assistance, as recommended by the National Association of Independent Schools. For the 2010-11 academic year, this amounted to approximately $915,000.
Awards range from 10% to 99% of tuition and mandatory fees. Approximately seventeen
percent of the student body currently receives financial assistance.
Who is eligible to apply for financial assistance?
All current and prospective families who have applied for admission to Nashoba Brooks are welcome to apply for financial assistance.
Does applying for financial assistance influence the admission decision?
Nashoba Brooks accepts students based upon their academic qualifications and potential to be successful at our school. Application for financial assistance is confidential and separate from the admission process.
Do I need to apply for financial assistance before I know my child has been accepted?
Yes. Financial assistance requests must be made and all required forms received by the January 31, 2011 deadline in order for an award to be considered.
How is financial need determined?
Financial assistance awards are determined based upon a family’s demonstrated need as assessed by the School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS). Awards vary depending upon that assessment and the amount of money available in the school’s budget designated for this purpose.
How is the family contribution determined?
Nashoba Brooks subscribes to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). Many factors are taken into consideration by SSS when determining the family contribution. These include but are not limited to family income, assets, expenses, qualified debts, family size, age of parents (s) and number of children in tuition-based institutions including colleges and universities. The SSS analysis incorporates these factors in the calculation and determines the discretionary income of each family. A portion of the discretionary income is then suggested as the family contribution for education. It is the expectation of the School that each family will contribute as much as it is able toward the cost of their child’s education.
How do I apply for financial assistance?
Starting November 1, 2010 you can apply for financial assistance either online on the SSS Website or a hard copy can be downloaded on the website and mailed to SSS, with a copy mailed to Nashoba Brooks. We strongly recommend that you complete this process online.
What is the deadline for applying for financial assistance?
The deadline for completion of all forms is Monday, January 31, 2011.
Is Financial Assistance automatically renewed each year?
No. Families receiving financial assistance must reapply each year. Changes in income, family status, and the number of children enrolled in tuition – based educational institutions may result in changes in an award. Every application is reviewed annually.
What if my financial situation changes during the school year?
Family financial circumstances can and do change at any time. If a family’s financial circumstances improve during the school year, no reduction will be made in the original award. However, if a family’s circumstances change significantly during the school year, we urge you to contact the Nashoba Brooks Business Office. If there are funds remaining in the financial assistance budget, every effort will be made to recalculate the family’s financial assistance for the current year and where possible, the school will adjust the award. Each application and circumstance is evaluated individually.
How much does it cost to attend Nashoba Brooks School?
Tuition for each school year is set by the Board of Trustees at their January meeting. Re-enrollment packets, including a “Statement of Fees and Financial Policies” and payment plan information, are mailed out in late January to all current families. Tuition is set for one year only and annual increase should be expected. (See the tuition and fees for the 2010-11 academic year noted above.)
Does the financial assistance award cover expenses other than tuition?
The financial assistance award covers tuition and mandatory fees. For students awarded financial assistance, the determined grant percentage for tuition will automatically be applied to the cost of Extended Day and Supervised Study. In addition, the cost of school-recommended tutoring is discounted for families on financial assistance.
What tuition payment plans are available?
The school offers three payment plans.
- Plan A: tuition and mandatory fees paid in full by June 30, less a discount of 1%.
- Plan B: 50% tuition by June 30, 25% by October 30 and 25% by January 30.
- Plan C: a ten-month direct debit plan for tuition less deposit. Monthly payments are debited May 1 through February 1.
When will I be notified of the financial assistance award decision?
If all required forms are completed by the January 31 deadline, both new and returning students and families will receive a letter indicating their financial assistance award on March 10.
I never do my taxes until close to the April 15 deadline. How will this affect my financial assistance?
You will need to complete your taxes early enough to meet the January 31, 2011 deadline in order to receive financial assistance if you qualify. It is important to plan ahead. A draft copy of your Federal Form 1040 is acceptable for the January 31 deadline; however, the final copy must be received no later than February 28, 2011.
My spouse is not employed. How will that affect my financial assistance award?
Since families bear the primary responsibility for financing the education of their children, it is expected that both parents will contribute financially. However, all family circumstances vary and applications are individually evaluated by SSS.
What happens if parents are separated, divorced or remarried?
In the event that a student’s parents are separated, divorced or remarried, both parents will be required to provide financial information to Nashoba Brooks and to SSS.
Is it worth applying if I am not sure our family will receive financial assistance?
Family circumstances differ greatly and there are factors other than income that affect award decisions, but Nashoba Brooks is committed to meeting the need of a broad spectrum of families.
Family Income % of Awards
$0 – 50,000 13%
$50,000 – 100,000 37%
over $100,000 50%
Any additional questions may be emailed to Maggie Barbuto, Director of Finance and Operations. Please note that any questions emailed will be held strictly confidentia