Need Based Financial Aid

The Village School requires families to complete the School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) Parent’ Financial Statement (PFS). There is a fee this service. 

The Village School is committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive community. As part of that commitment, the school has established a need-based financial aid program. Financial aid funds are generated from the school’s operating budget, Annual Giving and other fund-raising activities. As funds are very limited, priority is given to families currently enrolled in the school. Financial aid awards can provide up to 50% of the total tuition through a combination of scholarship and work credits with parents paying at least 50% of the tuition. 

Financial aid is based solely on financial need. To determine the fairest and most equitable family contribution, the School uses School and Student Services for Financial Aid (S.S.S.) based in Princeton, New Jersey. 

The Village School safeguards the confidentiality of all financial information supplied by applicants and does not publicly identify recipients of financial aid, except with parental permission. Only those persons involved in the financial aid process or in its administration will review this information.  

Who is eligible? 

Families with children in Kindergarten through Middle school.  

Students in the toddler and primary programs are not eligible to receive regardless of if they are a sibling of an older student.  

What is need-based financial aid? 

Need-based financial aid is based solely on the assets and income of the prospective student and their family. 

Do I need to demonstrate eligibility each year my child attends The Village School? 

Yes, families must reapply for financial aid every year. 

Does The Village School give out merit scholarships? 

No, financial aid is solely given on a needs basis.  

Who determines eligibility, and who sets the school financial aid budget? 

The Financial Aid Committee, under the supervision of the Head of School, determines eligibility. The Committee consists of the Director of Financial Aid, Director of Admissions, and the Director of Finance. The Board of Trustees sets the short- and long-term school budgets, which include the financial aid budget. 

Are allowances made for siblings attending independent or religious elementary, secondary, or post-secondary school? 

The Village School does not make allowances for siblings who attend independent or religious schools through college.  

Does any group of students have a priority when the school is determining financial aid awards? 

Yes, returning families and any family who was previously on aid the year before have priority when determining financial aid awards. Families who are new to the school are not eligible to apply for financial aid.  

Which years income will be used as the basis for a financial aid decision? 

Financial aid awards are based on a family’s previous year’s income. 

Are allowances made for a parent who has just started a new business or has returned to college or graduate school? 

The school cannot subsidize a family’s decision to make a significant lifestyle change.