Included in this section:
- Important Dates & Deadlines
- Helpful Hints
- Frequently Asked Questions
- The tuition assistance program at The St. Paul's Schools enables qualified students entering kindergarten through grade 12 to attend the school who would not have access to our community without tuition assistance. Financial need-based grants do not have to be repaid to the school. They range in size based on the family’s need and the availability of funds as the tuition assistance budget is limited.
- Applications for tuition assistance for the 2023-24 school year are now being accepted and are due by December 15, 2022. Applications should be completed online by going here. Our SSS School Code is 6892. For more information, please contact Rachel Kincer, chief financial officer, at 443-632-1030 or tuitionassistance@stpaulsmd.org.
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We recognize that the tuition assistance process can be challenging and are here to help. Please take advantage of the following opportunities to connect with Rachel Kincer, chief financial officer, and learn more about tuition assistance at The St. Paul’s Schools.
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Join us for a virtual tuition assistance workshop on Wednesday, November 16, at 6:30 p.m. Please RSVP to ensure you receive the virtual meeting link.
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Schedule a one-on-one meeting.
- Thirty-minute virtual application help sessions will be available November 22 – December 30. These sessions are meant as a follow-up to the November 16 workshop and will take a deeper dive into family-specific questions.
- Fifteen-minute introductory calls are available throughout the year.
Important dates and deadlines:
Due Dates:
Parent Financial Statement (PFS)
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December 15, 2022
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2021 Tax Return
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December 15, 2022
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Current pay stub(s)
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December 15, 2022
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2022 W-2s and/or 1099s
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February 5, 2023
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2022 Tax Return
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May 1, 2023
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Award Notification Dates:
Returning Students
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End of January, 2023
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New Student
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Mid February, 2023
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Helpful Hints:
- The St. Paul’s School SSS code is 6892.
- The SSS helpline is 800-344-8328.
- The non-refundable processing fee is $55 for online PFS submission (paid by credit card).
- Please meet all deadlines so that awards are not delayed or forfeited because of a late application and/or a lack of funds.
- You only have to complete one PFS even if you have several children applying for aid at St. Paul’s School and/or other SSS by NAIS subscriber schools.
- You can apply for all of the students in your family with no limit on the number of schools to which they are applying on the single online PFS submission. All schools must be SSS by NAIS subscriber schools.
- When filling out the PFS, use good-faith estimates for items when you may not know the exact amounts.
- Do not leave any items blank. If an item does not apply to you, enter a zero (0). Your PFS will not be processed until all information is complete.
- Do not wait to complete your tax return to complete your PFS. Use your latest 2022 pay stub for wage and tax withholding information to estimate both income and taxes. Use your 2021 tax return to estimate your itemized deductions. We reserve the right to recalculate your award if, on receipt and review of your 2022 tax return, your income, taxes, or itemized deductions are significantly different from what was originally reported.
- Some items require a brief explanation. Please use the space proved for this. Missing explanations may delay or alter your child’s award.
- Any additional information or special circumstances the family would like to make known can be sent to Rachel Kincer, chief financial officer, at tuitionassistance@stpaulsmd.org or 443-632-1030.
Frequently Asked Questions:
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Will applying for tuition assistance have an effect on the admissions decision for my child?
No. The Admissions Committee is not aware of who is applying for tuition assistance, and the tuition assistance decisions are made after a student has been accepted.
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What does SSS do?
SSS uses a methodology to compute a family's ability to pay for educational expenses for all children. Most independent schools in the area use SSS.
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How is the family contribution calculated?
The family contribution is determined through a methodology developed by SSS. This methodology takes into consideration gross taxable and non-taxable income, itemized deductions, assets, liabilities, family size, and the number of students in tuition-charging schools. After accounting for required tax obligations and allowances for basic necessities, at a very modest standard of living, a portion of the family’s remaining resources are considered available for education on a sliding scale. It is assumed that higher incomes will have more discretionary financial resources available for education.
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Do I have to reapply each year for tuition assistance?
Yes. Each student's need is recalculated annually. Therefore, parents are required to submit the PFS along with the other required documentation each year by the published deadlines.
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What kind of tuition assistance can my family expect in the following years?
Assuming that your family’s financial status does not change dramatically, funding will generally be renewed at previous levels. You must reapply for tuition assistance every year.
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If my family is paying full tuition, could we receive tuition assistance in subsequent years?
We expect that families who begin by paying full tuition to the School will continue to do so unless unforeseen circumstances make that impossible. We advise families not to go to extraordinary lengths to pay full tuition their first year in the hope of receiving tuition assistance the next year. However, if your financial situation has changed significantly since you joined the School, you should apply for aid and include a detailed explanation of the change.
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Are students ever asked to take jobs at St. Paul’s School to help pay for their education?
No. To preserve the identity of the students receiving tuition assistance, St. Paul’s School does not use a work-study program. However, we do expect students in Grades 11 and 12 to contribute $500 to their education by obtaining seasonal or summer jobs.
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Does the tuition assistance award cover other costs beyond tuition?
St. Paul’s attempts to minimize extra fees beyond tuition. The tuition assistance award is intended to provide families resources to afford the St. Paul’s tuition. For unique requirements, such as purchasing a laptop for study in the Upper School, families tuition assistance at the same percentage of tuition aid received to purchase the laptop.
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If only one parent works outside of the home, will my child be considered for tuition assistance?
Although St. Paul’s recognizes that families have the freedom and the responsibility to make choices regarding their financial situation, if only one parent works outside the home, the Tuition Assistance Committee will add to the income of the family. An exception to this policy might occur if the parent at home is caring for a preschool-aged child, a child with a disability, a seriously ill child, parent, or grandparent, or if there are other special circumstances. Please make this known to the Tuition Assistance Committee, in writing, when applying for aid.
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If one or both parents decide to attend graduate school, how will that decision affect the tuition assistance award?
The Tuition Assistance Committee would expect that the parent enrolled in graduate school will continue to earn income and has arranged to fund his/her education without depending heavily on family resources. If a parent chooses to attend school full time and is thus unemployed, the Tuition Assistance Committee will add to the income of the family.
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If I am single, divorced, or no longer living with my child’s other parent, what information is required to determine an award?
The Tuition Assistance Committee expects that all parents will contribute financially to their child’s tuition. Each household is expected to submit a completed PFS and all other required documentation for St. Paul’s to gain a realistic picture of family resources. If the non-custodial parent refuses to comply, the Tuition Assistance Committee will determine whether or not the family will be eligible for an award. If the custodial parent has not heard from the non-custodial parent for a period of time, to be determined by the Tuition Assistance Committee, forms may not be required. However, a letter of verification from a third party (minister, attorney, social worker, etc.) will be required. The Tuition Assistance Committee may request a copy of the divorce decree, but it may choose not to abide by it. Each situation is unique and will be handled on an individual basis.
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If I am living with someone who is not my child’s biological parent or I am remarried, how will the Tuition Assistance Committee review my child’s file?
In such situations, St. Paul’s requires financial information from all adults living in the household and/or involved in the applicant’s life.
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If my child lives with his guardians, what information will the Tuition Assistance Committee require?
Children who are living with guardians will be reviewed on an individual basis. However, if the parents are still living and are claiming their child on their tax return, the parents and guardians must complete and submit the PFS to SSS. If other family members have custody, they must also complete and submit the PFS to SSS. The Tuition Assistance Committee will also need copies of proof of custody.
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If we cannot pay the family contribution noted in the award letter, is there an appeals process?
Yes. Please notify the Tuition Assistance Office of your request for an appeal and submit all written documentation that you feel may provide the Tuition Assistance Committee with additional insight into your financial picture. More than likely, you will be asked to set up an appointment to discuss in detail your particular situation and the circumstances for your appeal.
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Is there a tuition assistance waiting list?
No.
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Whom should I contact if I still have questions regarding the tuition assistance process?
Rachel Kincer, chief financial officer, at tuitionassistance@stpaulsmd.org or 443-632-1030.
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