Financial Aid
It is the policy of Westminster Schools of Augusta to admit students without regard to family financial circumstances. The admission process and the financial aid process are separate processes. Families are encouraged, however, to apply for admission and financial aid at the same time to ensure that the Financial Aid Committee is able to make decisions in a timely manner.
Qualification
Westminster Schools of Augusta expects that all families will make reasonable sacrifices to finance the education of their children. Financial aid is awarded on the basis of economic need and is available for families with rising Kindergarten through twelfth graders.
Families must demonstrate that they have a need for financial assistance. Recipients of financial aid are expected to meet the same standards of citizenship, school participation, and academic performance as other students. They are not subject to special requirements. Each year, approximately 25% of Westminster students receive some amount of financial aid.
Westminster subscribes to the Principles of Good Practice as outlined by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and also utilizes the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, New Jersey. SSS produces and analyzes the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) form used by a family applying for aid and then generates a Report of Family Contribution (RFC) form. Westminster uses the RFC, along with other required information, to determine whether a family qualifies for aid, whether or not an award will be offered to a family, and the amount of such award. All financial aid decisions are subject to the availability of financial aid funds.
Separation/Divorce
In the case of separation or divorce, the assets of all parents are taken into consideration. Both custodial and noncustodial parents must complete a PFS and submit the necessary documentation. When a parent has remarried, the assets of the stepparent are considered as a resource toward household expenses, bearing in mind the responsibilities of the stepparent to his or her own children. Therefore, the assets of the stepparent should be included in the PFS. Please note that omission of this information may be a determining factor in the granting of financial aid.
Need Determination
SSS determines need by using a formula that considers all areas of a family’s financial situation. Here is a brief list of what might go into determining a family’s need:
- total income of parents
- family size
- medical/dental expenses
- savings and investments
- unusual expenses and debts
- number of children in tuition-charging schools
Notification of Award
When both the admission application process and the financial aid application process are completed, a family will receive their financial aid decision along with any notification of acceptance.
Please note that late forms, errors, or omissions in the preparation of the PFS may seriously jeopardize a family’s chance of receiving an award.
Confidentiality
All information received by Westminster Schools of Augusta is held in the strictest confidence. Financial information is never shared with faculty members, donors, or among family members who maintain separate households.
Mission
Westminster is committed to building and maintaining a diverse community. We strive to attract students and families from different cultural and economic backgrounds. With the understanding that the cost of attending Westminster may pose a significant financial burden for some families, we have established a financial aid fund to assist families. The purpose of our financial aid program is to remove financial barriers for families who may not have sufficient resources tomeet the total costs of a Westminster education.
Procedure to Apply for Financial Aid
1. Go to sss.nais.org and complete a Parent Financial Statement. Choose Westminster Schools of Augusta (#8136) as the school to which you would like your report of Estimated Family Contribution sent. This will cost $37 and can be charged to a credit card.
2. Submit your most recent tax information and W-2s to the Admissions office at Westminster Schools of Augusta in a sealed envelope.
3. Deadlines and Notification:
Current Westminster families must apply by November 30 for a financial aid award for the following school year. Notification of a financial aid award for the following school year is communicated during the re-enrollment process.
New Westminster families have until March 1 to submit their complete application for financial aid. Notification of an award is made after acceptance of the new student.
