Director of Admission and Financial Aid
Andrews Osborne Academy is committed to making our school affordable to families who qualify. We promote our core value of diversity by awarding $1.4 million in financial assistance to 36% of students who represent a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds. The financial assistance program allows families to apply for a reduction in tuition making an Andrews Osborne Academy education affordable to many qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.
I will share the most frequently asked questions in addition to the top 10 tips for completing a financial assistance application. I encourage all families to apply as everyone’s financial situation is unique.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Andrews Osborne Academy calculate financial assistance awards?
Andrews Osborne Academy partners with School and Student Services (SSS) in our financial aid process which is available to qualifying students in grades 1-12. Families must complete the SSS Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). The PFS is a comprehensive application that takes some time to complete. Give yourself the time you need by not waiting until our deadline approaches. The school communicates the financial award decision to you. To make the decision, the school uses the information from the PFS as a starting point and considers the school’s policies, practices, and available budget.
When do I apply for financial assistance during the admission process?
Students must first complete the admission process and receive an offer of admission before financial assistance is determined.
How do I know if my family qualifies?
The basic formula that guides a financial assistance award is:
Tuition - Expected Family Contribution (EFC) = Financial Assistance Award
How is an Expected Family Contribution (EFC) calculated?
The EFC takes into consideration a family’s unique financial situation which includes these major components:
· Income
· Assets – savings
· Taxes paid
· Family Size
· Number of Students attending a tuition-charging institution
· Cost of Living
· Unusual Expenses
What are the considerations for special situations?
If parents are separated or divorced, both parents must complete the PFS and submit all required documentation to SSS. If a parent files as a single parent and the whereabouts of the non-custodial parent are unknown, a written statement from an attorney, pastor/minister, or other appropriate third party official is needed stating that the child has had no contact with the non-custodial parent for a minimum of two years. The statement must be submitted to the Office of Admission at Andrews Osborne Academy.
Does Andrews Osborne Academy have a loan program?
Yes, Andrews Osborne Academy works with Tuition Solution, an education loan company which offers convenient financing for your child’s education. To apply or calculate payments, please visit tuition solution. You can also call (800) 920-9777 or email info@yourtuitionsolution.com.
What can a family expect from year to year?
Assistance is awarded annually and for one year at a time. All recipients must repeat the full application process each year beginning in October. If a family does not meet the deadlines or follow all the steps correctly, they may not be funded.
How does a family complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) Online?
· Go to the SSS Family Portal at https://sss.secure.force.com/familyportal.
· Create your Family Portal account with your email address and a password. If you applied for financial aid last year, login to the Family Portal as a Returning Family using the same email address and password.
· Complete a PFS for Academic Year 2019-2020. You can log out of the portal at any time and return later to finish it.
· Once all PFS sections are complete with green checks, the “Submit & Pay” button activates. Follow the prompts to the payment screen. The fee of $51 is nonrefundable. Once your PFS is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn from the SSS system.
· After you pay for and submit your PFS, you have access to the Family Portal’s “My Documents” tab to upload required documents by their deadlines as part of your application process.
· Need help completing the PFS? Contact the SSS Parent Support Team at (800) 344-8328 or sss@communitybrands.com
What is Andrews Osborne Academy’s SSS school code?
· 1292
What documents are required in addition to the PFS?
· 2017 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ with all schedules and worksheets
· 2017 W2 Form
· 2017 1099 Form (if applicable)
· Schedule C (if applicable)
· Self-Employed Parents: Include all related business forms with your 1040 (Schedule C, Schedule E, 1120, 1065, and K-1)
How are the required tax documents submitted?
· Prepare your documents to be uploaded. Make sure the documents are on your computer and each specific form is saved as a separate file. Remove any security or password protection from your document files.
· Return to the Family Portal and log into your account.
· Select the Academic Year 2019-2020 button.
· Open the “My Documents” tab on the Dashboard.
· On “My Documents,” use the Upload button or hyperlink associated with the specific document name in the "Required Documents" section. Clicking the Upload button or hyperlink leads you through the steps to locate, select, and confirm your file to upload.
· Click “Submit” to complete your file upload. After you do, the date will appear in the “Date Uploaded” column within minutes of the upload. Repeat this process until all required documents are submitted by their deadlines.
Where can you find additional resources?
Families can also visit the school’s website for additional resources:
· Financial Aid Instructions
· NAIS Family Guide to Financial Aid
· NAIS PFS Workbook
· NAIS Financial Aid Resources
Top 10 Tips for Completing Your Financial Assistance Application
1. Complete only one PFS per household. You can apply for aid to any number of schools for any number of children using just one PFS for the same flat fee.
2. Use your legal name. Make sure your name on your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) appears exactly the way your name appears on your tax documents.
3. Enter whole numbers. When entering numbers, do not enter decimals or cents—simply round to the nearest whole number. Understand that all monetary values must be in US Dollars.
4. Differentiate applicants from dependents. Questions about “student applicants” refer to your children who are applying for financial aid via the PFS. Questions about “other dependents” refer to the children (or adults) for whom you provide support but ARE NOT applying for financial aid.
5. Separate salary from profit. If you are a business owner or farm owner, you will be asked about your salary in the Family Income section. Enter only the amount you actually draw as salary (as reported on your W-2). You will provide information about profit/loss elsewhere in the PFS.
6. Estimate your taxes. We realize most tax forms are not available until late January. If you don’t have your current year’s taxes available, it’s okay to estimate your answers based on your prior year’s tax return.
7. Upload or mail your documents. You’re strongly encouraged to upload tax documents via the Family Portal. If you need to mail documents, you must include the cover sheet also found in the Portal. Once your PFS is paid for, just login and click on the “My Documents” tab in the upper right corner. Mail your documents at least 10 days before your school’s deadline.
8. Tell your story. Offer explanations when requested, so your story or situation is clear and understandable to those reviewing your application.
9. Calculate debt and unusual expenses. When asked to report your credit card debt, enter your total outstanding balances and use the Notes section to specify the types of purchases you used these cards for. When asked to total your “unusual expenses,” you’ll find a list of the types of expenses you should and should not include.
10. Be honest. Take time to carefully consider how much you think you can pay towards tuition on your own. Make a budget of income and expenses and see how much you can include for school costs.
Questions about Andrews Osborne Academy’s Financial Assistance Program?
Rachelle Sundberg, Director of Admission & Financial Aid at (440) 942-3600 ext. 114 or RSundberg@AndrewsOsborne.org
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