Greenhill School Online

Financial Aid Philosophy

Greenhill recognizes the educational value of a school community that includes students with a variety of economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds. Our financial aid program supports that goal and is non-discriminatory in practice.

Greenhill has a well-established and well-respected financial aid program that is fairly administered, clearly communicated and consistently applied in accordance with the principles and practices of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and the core values of the Greenhill community. The School's financial aid program is designed to support families who demonstrate financial need. School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) is used in determining a family’s level of need. Greenhill does not offer merit scholarships.

The following principles govern the administration of financial aid:

The School considers financial aid as the single most important vehicle to maintain an economically diverse student population.
Financial aid is distributed to qualifying families of students in grades pre-kindergarten through 12. The School strives to meet 100 percent of an aid recipient's family need as determined by School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and all other supporting documents.
A supplemental support budget exists to enable students to participate in all aspects of school life on an equitable basis.
The School recognizes the increasing burden tuition places on middle-income families and the financial aid committee works to ensure that Greenhill is an affordable option.
Families must reapply for financial aid each year.

Financial Aid Policies

The following policies govern the administration of financial aid:

Priority – Greenhill will give priority to families who have previously received aid prior to making any new commitments.
Non-working parent/guardian - When a parent does not work and there are no preschool children or aging parents at home, the school will impute an annual income of at least $20,000 to the non-working parent/guardian.
Divorced or separated parents – Parents with legal parental rights must submit all of the required financial aid application documents in order for their child to be considered for a tuition grant.

Financial Aid Process

Applicant families considering applying for financial aid must complete the Financial Aid Application Request Form in the Admission Application Packet. The Financial Aid Office will mail all of the necessary documents and instructions to apply for financial aid to admitted and waitpooled families on March 14, 2008.

In February 2008, current families must indicate they wish to apply on their Re-enrollment Contract and complete the Financial Aid Addendum located in their Re-enrollment Packet. Upon receipt of a completed Financial Aid Addendum, the Financial Aid Office will mail all of the necessary documents and instructions to apply for financial aid.

The deadline for receipt of the financial aid application with all supporting documents is March 7, 2008, for current families and March 28, 2008, for newly admitted families. Financial aid funds are limited; applications must be received by the deadline to be eligible for full consideration.

A complete financial aid application consists of the following:

A copy of the Parents’ Financial Statement and Report of Family Contribution (RFC). SSS will send a copy of these documents to Greenhill after analyzing the completed PFS submitted to them by the applicant family.
A complete, signed copy of all 2007 Federal Income Tax Forms, including a copy of all W-2 forms and all accompanying schedules.
If a parent/guardian owns a business(es), a complete Business/Farm Statement as well as all 2007 Federal Income Tax Forms and all accompanying schedules for each business owned.
Optional - A written explanation of any unusual circumstances that have affected your family’s financial situation this year that you would like Greenhill to consider.

The Financial Aid Committee reviews all completed financial aid files and makes a decision based upon each family’s demonstrated need. The Committee may require additional documentation such as bank statements and a monthly budget if more information is needed in order to understand a family’s financial situation.

Families that comply with the stated deadlines will be mailed a financial aid decision letter in May 2008.

Tuition Loan Programs

Listed below are the names of institutions that might assist you with tuition financing. These institutions are not affiliated with Greenhill School. Please contact them directly.

Key Education Resources

745 Atlantic Avenue

Suite 300

Boston, MA 02111-2735

1-800 KEY-LEND (800-539-5363)

Fax: 617-451-8990

www.keybank.com

prepGATE Loan Program

30 Little Harbor

Marblehead, MA 01945-2600

(888) 353-GATE

www.prepgate.com