Dear Parents,
Each year the financial aid budget is determined by the Board of Trustees. Based on the information submitted to the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid and current tax information, our Financial Aid Committee distributes the available funds as equitably as possible and helps as many families as we can. This year, we ask that our families submit their financial aid applications by February 3, 2012. Because there are always more requests for financial aid than we can accommodate, the Financial Aid Committee will give first consideration to applications postmarked on or before February 3, 2012.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR FILING YOUR APPLICATION
All required financial aid forms and directions are available on our website under Admission/Financial Aid.
For consideration by the Financial Aid Committee, the enclosed Parents Financial Statement (PFS) must be completed and mailed along with their fee ($35 for online submissions or $47 for hard copy submissions) to the SSS by February 4, 2011. Please note that you may apply online at http://sss.nais.org. All sections of the application must be completed fully.
If applying online, you will be prompted to print a copy of the PFS Cover Sheet. This form must accompany your estimated or completed taxes and W2 forms which will be scanned into the SSS secure database.
Concurrently to submitting your materials to SSS, a photocopy of your PFS form, a copy of your 2011 IRS form 1040 with all attached schedules, a copy of your W-2 forms, and our $35 filing fee should be submitted to the Applewild’s Office of Admission and Financial Aid by February 3, 2012. For first time financial aid applicants, please also include a copy of your 2010 tax return.
Applewild’s Financial Aid Committee will be accepting estimated taxes for 2011 as the preliminary basis for establishing awards. These awards will be “Conditional Awards” subject to change based upon receipt of final tax documentation. In order to be assured of a confirmed award before contracts become binding on May 1, 2012, all families must submit a completed tax return and supporting documentation to SSS and to Applewild by April 20, 2012.
Please read the general information section on pages 2 and 3 of the PFS instruction booklet before you begin to fill out the form. Particularly important is the request that all circled items on the form and any unusual family circumstances are fully explained in the space provided under Section F. If you anticipate that your financial situation will have changed considerably by the time your official 2011 tax return is submitted to the IRS, please include a detailed written explanation.
The Applewild Business Office has enclosed a required release of information form 4506-T (please sign but do not date) to verify your official IRS filing information.
Failure to accurately complete the application will delay your request until all necessary information is obtained. As the budget is limited, delays caused by incomplete information could prove detrimental to receiving a financial aid grant.
An appeal process exists through the Office of Admission and Financial Aid at Applewild School. If you have questions or concerns regarding your award, please contact the Office of Admission for the appropriate appeal paperwork. However, many appeals can be avoided by filling out the forms completely and explaining ANY special circumstances in detail.
If you own a business or farm, you will need to complete the Business/Farm Statement. This additional form must also be completed and returned directly to the SSS as well as to the Applewild Office of Admission and Financial Aid by February 3, 2012.
If you are separated or divorced, your former spouse must also complete the entire PFS process, submitting all forms and supporting documents to SSS and the Applewild Office of Admission and Financial Aid by February 3, 2012.
Please note the SSS code for Applewild School is 1330. This number should be entered in section 5 of the PFS.
Please call the Office of Admission if you have any questions regarding financial aid.
Sincerely,
Emily Walker Bracchitta
Director of Admission & Financial Aid