Financial Aid
Saklan strongly believes that applicants should be admitted to the School based on their academic abilities and personal qualifications, not on their ability to afford the cost of our education. Applicants from cultural, racial, and economic backgrounds are welcome in Saklan’s community as diversity is one of the cornerstones that characterizes and strengthens our school. To support this commitment, we provide financial aid to families in order to balance our student body, support enrollment objectives, and meet the financial needs of qualified students.
Financial Aid is an amount of money granted to an individual student to offset the cost of tuition based on demonstrated need. Applications for financial aid are processed by School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). The SSS methodology considers a family’s income, assets, debts and more thorough information provided on the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). Additionally, applicants must supply required backup documentation as specified below. Currently, about 20% of Saklan families receive financial assistance for tuition.
Financial Aid Procedures
For academic year 2010-11
The financial aid process has several required steps. PLEASE READ CAREFULLY
1. January 14, 2010: Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS).
You may complete the PFS online or mail a hard copy form to SSS. We prefer the online method as it reduces SSS processing time. Note: Online submissions are less expensive ($35 rather than $42), use error-checking software, and Saklan will receive your information faster than if you use the paper version of the PFS. Please download this instruction sheet prior to beginning your PFS.
The Saklan Valley School Code is 7047. You will need this code to complete the PFS.
2. January 14, 2010: Complete and submit the Saklan Valley School Supplemental Financial Aid Form.
Click here for a copy of this form or contact the Admissions Office. This is the only form that is due directly to Saklan, do not return to SSS.
3. January 14, 2010: Submit a signed copy of your 2008 1040 Federal Tax Return(s) with all schedules, W2 Forms and/or 1099 Forms to SSS.
The address to send these documents to is:
SSS by NAIS
Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368-0449
4. February 12, 2010: Submit a signed copy of your 2009 1040 Federal Tax Return(s) with all schedules, W2 Forms and/or 1099 Forms to SSS at the same address as above.
5. Late February/Early March 2010: The Financial Aid Committee meets to review applications. Returning families will receive their financial aid decision during the early re-enrollment process.
6. March 12, 2010: Financial-aid award letters are mailed along with admission notification letters to new families.
7. March 19, 2010: Enrollment contract and non-refundable deposit are due from all students receiving financial-aid grants by 12:00 p.m. There are no exceptions to this due date and time.
8. April 2010 and beyond : Late financial-aid awards will be made based on the availability of funds.
SSS Customer Service Center for Parents:
800-344-8328 (Mon-Fri: 9am - 8pm. Sat: 9am - 4pm) or email: sss@nais.org.
New Mailing Address for Submitting Paper PFS and for Submitting Required Documents:
SSS by NAIS
P.O. Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368
For overnight mail, use this address:
SSS by NAIS
Application Processing Center
437 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
New SSS Website for Families:
http://sss.nais.org
The link from that site to the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) will be live starting November 1, 2009.
To be considered by the financial aid committee, the steps and deadlines listed above must be met. The financial aid office may request supplemental information or may ask you to sign an IRS form 4506, giving the IRS permission to send your completed tax returns directly to us. We may also request a meeting to further our understanding of your family’s financial need.
Financial aid awards will be communicated in February to all returning families and in March to all new families. For more information or questions, please call or email Debbie Parish in the admission office, 925-376-7900 x16, admissions@saklan.org.
PLEASE NOTE: Applicants not meeting deadlines, whether renewing or new, may forfeit consideration by the financial aid committee.
Frequently Asked Questions?
Will Applying for Financial Aid Affect my Child’s Application for Admission?
Admission decisions are made independently of financial aid requests by two separate school committees.
How Does the Financial Aid process Work?
Financial Aid is awarded strictly on the basis of need. Each year the Saklan Valley School Board of Trustees approves a budgeted amount for financial aid. In awarding monies the Financial Aid Committee reviews the SSS report, the family’s IRS tax returns, the SVS Supplemental Financial Aid Form, and any other appropriate information that may affect economic need.
SSS uses the submitted financial information to calculate a numerical assessment of the estimated parent tuition contribution for each student. To the best of their financial ability, both natural parents must contribute to the cost of educating their child regardless of marital status. In the situation of separated or divorced parents, both parents are required to submit financial aid applications.
When will we be Notified if Financial Aid will be Awarded to us?
The Financial Aid Committee makes decisions regarding financial aid after a review of all information and independent of the admissions process. Award letters for new applicants will be sent out with admission notification letters on March 12, 2010. Award letters for current families will be sent out in February 2010. Please be assured that all financial information is kept in the strictest confidence.
What is the Procedure for Responding to a Financial Aid Award?
Award letters are sent with the admission decision letters on March 12, 2009. You will have until Wednesday, March 19th at 3:00 pm to return your enrollment contract along with a 10% deposit of the parent contribution.
