Financial Aid

We recognize that the full cost of an independent education is beyond the means of some outstanding students and families. To this end, the financial aid program at Canterbury School is designed to help make a Canterbury education accessible to qualified students who could not otherwise afford the cost of attending.

For the 2012-13 school year, Canterbury School is providing approximately $1,460,000 of financial assistance to 25% of the student body. Canterbury School adheres to the National Association of Independent Schools' "Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid."

Financial aid grants are offered to students who have been accepted to Canterbury School and whose families demonstrate financial need. Grants, made to both low and middle income families, do not need to be repaid. Athletic and academic scholarships are not given at Canterbury School. Canterbury School does not accept any government tuition vouchers, including the McKay Scholarship. We are an independent school and receive no government funding.

To assess the level of need, Canterbury School uses the calculations of the School and Student Services (SSS) as a guideline. The family's total income, assets and special circumstances are taken into consideration.

Canterbury School's Financial Aid Committee will review the calculations from SSS and make the final award. Decisions are influenced by the availability of school resources, the number of qualified applicants, and overall budgetary constraints. At times, there have been insufficient funds to meet the needs of all accepted students who qualify for financial aid. 

Grants for the 2013-14 school year will be made in the spring of 2013; consequently, applications for financial aid should be completed according to the timeline established below. It is the parents' responsibility to complete the financial aid application process by the given deadlines. The primary responsibility for financing a student's independent school education rests with the family. No matter how great the need, every family at Canterbury is expected to invest in their child’s future by contributing to their child’s tuition. This noted, Canterbury School makes every effort to help all eligible applicants.

Please note: Availability of financial assistance for students in lower grades is limited, and is not available for the Pre-K 3 program.

Applying for Financial Aid

• Mark the appropriate financial aid box on the application for admission.
• Complete and submit the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online through the SSS website. The online financial aid application for the 2013-14 school year is available beginning November 1, 2012. For all PFS application questions there is a toll free hotline available at (800) 344-8328.
• Submit copies of the following documents to Canterbury School:
• Your completed PFS that you submitted online to SSS by February 8, 2013
• Your signed 2012 Federal Income Tax Return 1040 with all attached schedules by April 16, 2013
• Business/Farm Statement (if applicable)
• (Optional) A letter explaining any special or unusual circumstances that affect your family's ability to contribute financially

Continued Assistance

Continued need must be demonstrated each year. Families in need of financial assistance must reapply and complete the PFS each year on a timely basis. It is the policy of the Financial Aid Committee to maintain award funding consistently from year to year, always subject to current documented need and established criteria. Students must remain in good standing at the School. Financial aid funds for the next year will not be granted until all financial obligations to the school are current.

Need Blind Admission

Canterbury School does not use financial need as a consideration in assessing a student's eligibility for admission. The admission and financial aid processes are separate and distinct. No decisions regarding financial aid are made until the student is accepted and a space is available in the desired grade level.

Confidentiality

Canterbury School safeguards the confidentiality of all financial aid information supplied by applicants and does not publicly identify recipients of financial aid. Families are informed that publicizing an award in any way is inappropriate and is in violation of school policy, and may jeopardize current and future financial aid awards.

Financial Aid Wait Pool

Financial aid funds are limited. Applicants whose needs cannot be met will be placed in a wait pool. If funds become available at a later time (as funds are released from families on financial aid who leave the school or who do not qualify for continued assistance), they will be awarded to applicants who qualify. The Financial Aid Committee will decide on awards as funds become available. 

Circumstances Affecting Parental Contribution

Given limited resources, the following policies are designed to promote the most fair and consistent allocation of available financial aid. Canterbury School adheres to these policies unless special circumstances allow deviation.

Non-Working Parent

The school expects both parents to contribute to tuition. If a parent makes the decision not to work, the school may impute an annual income for a non-working parent, after the youngest child in the family reaches kindergarten age.

Divorced and Separated Parents

In the case of divorce or separation, the school requires both parents to file an application for financial aid. Both parents must complete and submit the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS). All current tax returns and supporting documentation are required from both parents. The school is not bound by any divorce agreement specifying a parent's responsibility for educational expenses. It is felt to be unfair for the school to subsidize a child's education if one of the parents is able, but unwilling, to contribute to his/her child's tuition. It is also the school's policy to consider the resources of a step-parent in making an award. If either parent or step-parent declines to submit the required information, the decision to award aid and the amount of aid may be affected. Please contact Rick Starace, Director of Financial Aid, or Julie Peters, Director of Admission, for guidance in handling unusual circumstances.