| Goals of the Financial Aid Program |
Greenwich Country Day offers families need-based financial awards for qualified students. Our program aims to:
- Maintain a balanced, diverse school community of qualified students representing a variety of cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds.
- Enroll students with academic and personal qualities that support GCDS's mission.
We encourage current and prospective families experiencing financial difficulty to contact us to discuss school expenses. However, as a non-profit institution with limited resources, GCDS does not view its program as the primary source for funding tuition costs. Applicants should be aware that:
- GCDS expects parents to utilize all other sources of tuition support including available loans or gifts from family members and outside sources.
- Parents must eliminate other non-essential expenses such as private clubs, expensive vacations, and/or vacation homes.
- Families are encouraged to utilize the K-12 Private School loans offered through Springstone Financial, LLC. Information is available at their website (www.yourtuitionsolution.com).
- We offer families the option of an interest-free monthly payment plan which requires a small enrollment fee. More information is available online at Tuition Management Systems or through Sallie Mae.
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| Where can I find more information? |
| Please contact us with questions (203-863-5610 or admissions@gcds.net). Visit School & Student Services by NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools), where clear step-by-step information is available in English and Spanish. You may begin to apply starting on November 1, 2013 for the 2014-15 school year. |
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| How is the amount of Financial Aid determined? |
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Parents should utilize all of their own resources before applying for financial aid. The amount of aid awarded is based on a family's expected contribution, as defined below, and GCDS's availability of financial aid funds.
GCDS uses a standardized, fair and equitable “need analysis” to determine a family’s expected contribution which is based on the PFS (Parents Financial Statement) generated by the SSS (School Scholarship Service), an external organization managed by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Aid is given outright and does not need to be repaid, although the school appreciates repayment if a family’s financial circumstances change.
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| What important facts should I know about the Financial Aid process? |
- Before enrolling your child, it is important to fully understand what costs are and are not covered by our program.
- At GCDS, all applications for financial aid are confidential. Neither teachers nor other parents know which students receive funding.
- Admissions, Re-enrollment, and Financial Aid are three wholly separate processes. Financial aid applications have no bearing on the Admissions process or re-enrollment decisions.
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- There is no income “cut off’ to qualify for Financial Aid. Each family’s unique situation is assessed carefully by the GCDS Financial Aid Committee on an annual basis.
- Families must be U.S. citizens or legal residents of the United States.
- Both parents are expected to contribute financially to the extent possible. If a parent is unemployed or works less than half time, the award is adjusted by calculating a potential salary (based on education and previous work experience).
- Families in the Financial Aid program are expected to fully participate in all school events and programs, including a contribution to the Annual Fund.
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| How is Financial Aid Funded? |
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GCDS receives no federal, state, or local government funding for our programs. As an indication of the importance of this program, the Board of Trustees allocates over 14.7% of our annual budget toward the program. To achieve this goal, we rely on funds donated by generous members of our extended community including current and past parents, alumni, grandparents, and friends, as well as income from endowments, and a percentage of each family’s tuition payment.
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| When and how do I apply for Financial Aid? |
| Applications from both prospective and current families for the 2014-15 school year are due December 15, 2014. We accept applications on a rolling basis after that date. If a student qualifies for financial aid but funding is unavailable, he/she will be placed on a GCDS Financial Aid wait list. |
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| Steps to Apply for Financial Aid |
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1. Submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) to School and Student Services (SSS). This application can be submitted:
- Online at http://sss.nais.org, or
- By mail. To submit your application by mail, contact the GCDS Admissions Office at (203) 863-5610 or use our online form to request an application. Paper forms are available both in Spanish and English.
- Please note:
- Applications must be completed using the GCDS ID number: 3580.
- A minimal application fee is required ($39 for online application or $51 for paper application). In unusual circumstances presenting hardship, GCDS can provide a waiver. Please contact Suzanne Howard at (203) 863-5611 to inquire about the waiver.
2. Submit the following documents to GCDS between November 1 and December 15, 2013:
- A copy of the Parent Financial Statement that you have submitted to SSS.
- For first-time applicants: proof of U.S. citizenship or legal residency with a green card (both student applicant and parents).
- Current 2012 Federal 1040 Income Tax Return with all schedules and W-2 Forms.
- A signed, undated IRS Form 4506. This form can be downloaded here.
Please send these four documents to:
Suzanne J. Howard, Director of Financial Aid
The Greenwich Country Day School
PO Box 623, Old Church Road
Greenwich, CT 06836-0623
Grant Notification will be in March 2014
Questions?
If you have questions about applying for Financial Aid, please contact Suzanne Howard, Director of Financial Aid, at (203) 863-5611.
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