Tuition & Financial Assistance

List of 13 frequently asked questions.

• How do I apply for financial assistance?

  The 2020-21 application for financial assistance will be available on October 2, 2019.  This year, we are using a new service provider, School and Student Services by NAIS, commonly known as SSS.  Most of Baltimore area independent schools use SSS, and our deadline for applications is December 15, 2019. (Applications received after the deadline will be reviewed only if there are enough funds available.) The online application for financial assistance is separate from the admission application, but should be completed concurrently. Returning families who complete the financial assistance process by the necessary deadline will receive notification of an award with their re-enrollment agreement and new families with their letter of acceptance.

• Who is eligible for financial assistance?

  Students in grades PreK-12 are eligible to receive need-based financial assistance. In the 2019-20 school year, approximately 45% of Friends School students received a financial assistance award.

   

• Does Friends offer scholarships?

  In addition to our generous need-based aid, Friends has two merit scholarships for new students.  The Joseph Townsend Merit Scholarship  is available to new students applying for 9th and 10th  grades and is a merit award of $20,000 for up to 4 years. The Doris Neumann Merit Award is offered to two new middle school applicants (grades 6, 7 and 8). The Neumann Award provides a $10,000 annual scholarship that follows a student through their years at Friends School. For more information please call 410-649-3211 or visit  www.friendsbalt.org/admission/merit-scholarships.

   

• What factors are considered when determining financial assistance awards?

  Friends School uses the calculations provided by SSS as a starting point in determining the financial aid award. Factors used in the calculation include, but are not limited to, income, assets, medical expenses, educational expenses, retirement plans, alimony/child support, daycare/eldercare expenses, and other annual expenses. All adult family members living in the household(s) are expected to participate in paying for tuition; expectations are regardless of any legal agreements including custody, prenuptial,

  alimony or child support.

• I am not sure if we would qualify for assistance.  Should we still apply?

   

  We encourage any family who feels they need financial assistance to apply. Each year, Friends offers financial  awards ranging from $1,000 to over $25,000. We recognize that every family situation is different and that even a small amount of assistance can make a critical difference for many families.  Students at all grade levels are eligible to receive financial assistance, but awards for students in grades PreK - 5th are generally less than 50% of the tuition cost.  

• How does this process work for children with multiple households or who have only one parent/guardian?   

  In the case of parents/guardians who do not live together (e.g. divorced, separated, never married), each parent/guardian household must complete the SSS process in order to be considered for a financial aid award.  Friends School expects that both parents and all adults who are financially responsible for a student contribute to the cost of a student’s education regardless of legal agreements. Resources from both parents and stepparents, regardless of custody or other legal issues, are considered when determining a family’s ability to pay.  Friends School awards a single grant to the student; it is the responsibility of the parents to determine a payment schedule.
  

  
  For families who are not able to submit all required documentation, or if a parent is no longer involved in the life of the child in any way, please speak directly with the Assistant Head for Enrollment Management to determine if you can be considered for financial assistance. 

   

• Does applying for financial assistance impact the chances of my child being accepted?

   

  Friends School has a need-blind admission process, so a student’s financial need plays no part in the admission decision.  Families apply for admission and financial assistance concurrently, but they are separate processes, All financial assistance applications are kept strictly confidential, and do not influence admissions decisions.  However, the School has limitations to the amount of total financial assistance that can be granted, and not every student who applies for aid will receive an award. All financial assistance decisions are considered to be confidential agreements between Friends School and the recipient family, and are treated accordingly.   

• What consideration is given to families with multiple children?

  As part of its calculation SSS takes into consideration any children at other tuition-paying schools and gives some allowance for those expenses.

• What if I miss the application deadline?

  In order to make fair, informed, and expeditious decisions for all families it is vitally important to adhere to the established deadlines. However, when a family is unable to obtain all necessary tax information by the financial assistance deadlines, a provisional Form 1040 may be submitted. Of course, all awards will be subject to verification of the official Form 1040 information. Families who submit late applications for assistance may receive reduced awards, reflecting the remaining budget at that time.

   

• Do I need to reapply for financial assistance each year? Will my award be the same from year to year?

  Returning families can expect similar award each year provided their financial circumstances remain the same.   However, every family must annually reapply for financial assistance and meet all stated deadlines. If the current financial picture for the family changes, or if a family does not meet the application deadlines,  it is possible that assistance award may be adjusted.   

• Who will see my financial assistance application?

  All financial assistance information is highly confidential, and only seen by the Assistant Head of  School for Enrollment Management. Members of the Financial Aid Committee know which families apply and will see the final award amount. Faculty members and other School employees are not privy to any financial materials, nor are they aware of which families apply for and receive financial assistance.

• What does financial assistance cover?

  Financial assistance awards are applied to the Tuition and Fees stated in the enrollment agreement. Costs not covered by financial assistance include meals, books (Grades 6-12), optional transportation fees, and other incidental costs, including the Tuition Refund Insurance, which is dependent upon the payment plan option selected.

• If I do not qualify for assistance, what can I do?

  Families who apply for assistance but do not qualify have several options, including a variety of payment plans. Additionally, a limited number of low interest loans are available.