Tuition Assistance at NGFS
Q. Is assistance available to help pay tuition?
Yes, need-based tuition assistance is available for qualifying K-12 families.
Q. How does tuition assistance work?
Families must apply for assistance. NGFS uses FACTS, an independent, third-party company, to conduct a confidential financial analysis. Awards are based on the financial information you provide to FACTS, their subsequent recommendation for family contribution, and resources available from the school. The NGFS Tuition Assistance Committee reviews the completed application. The committee confidentially considers all the information you provide as well as the FACTS recommendation. To start the process, go to the FACTS website and follow the instructions to complete an application.
Q. What information is required for the application?
The application includes questions about income and assets, family size, and expenses. You will be instructed to upload tax documentation, such as W-2s and the tax return. You are encouraged to add notes where space is provided on the application to explain your answers or to give additional context to your request. Complete and accurate information will help the Tuition Assistance Committee make an informed and timely decision.
Q. Can I still apply if my current taxes are not yet complete?
Yes, the Tuition Assistance Committee can begin the review of your application before your tax documents are available. Answer the questions to the best of your ability. Upload the most recent documentation you have. In the designated area, provide the date you expect the documentation to be complete and available for review.
Q. Could tuition be free?
No, every family must pay a portion of the tuition.
Q. How much assistance can I receive?
We carefully steward our resources to make NGFS affordable to as many families as possible. Our capacity to provide assistance in a given year is fixed. Although we earmark a generous amount of funds for assistance annually, requests typically exceed available funds. The size of the award is completely dependent on the family’s needs and the available funds. Awards are typically between 10% and 50% of tuition.
Q. Will I receive the same amount of assistance every year?
No, this is not a given. Families must apply each year. Income, financial resources, expenses, and family circumstances may change from year to year, thus, the analysis is always done with the most current information. Unless you have experienced a significant change in circumstances, such as significantly increased expenses or significantly decreased income, you will likely qualify for the same level of assistance.
Q. When do I need to apply?
New students must first be accepted for admission. Only after an offer of admission has been made, will a completed application be reviewed and an award offered. Returning students may apply for assistance for the upcoming school year beginning in late December. Please note that the NGFS Board of Trustees typically determines tuition rates for the upcoming school year in mid-February; eligibility for an award cannot be calculated until tuition rates are finalized. Enrollment season officially opens after tuition rates are determined by early March. We encourage families to apply by early spring for the following academic year.
Q. Is there a fee to apply for assistance?
Yes, FACTS charges a non-refundable application processing fee of $35. This fee does not go to NGFS.
Q. Would my family qualify for assistance?
Many factors are considered when an award is determined. As a rough estimate, if your family of four has income under $130,000 a year, you may qualify for assistance.
Q. How much assistance should I expect?
Even if your family qualifies for tuition assistance, NGFS may not be able to fulfill 100% of the amount you qualify for.
Q. What if I don’t qualify for assistance?
We encourage you to explore the opportunities available to you and your family when deciding if an NGFS education is within reach.
Q. How many NGFS families receive tuition assistance?
In the 23-24 school year, 33% of families received tuition assistance.
Q. Who should apply for tuition assistance?
A. Families of students in grades K-12 who are concerned they may not be able to afford a New Garden Friends School education may apply. Awards are unavailable for preschool students (A Child's Garden).
Q. I'm having technical issues with the FACTS application. How do I get help?
A: Please contact FACTS for customer or tech support, 866-315-9262. You can refer to their FAQ here.
Q. Does the school set priorities when allocating tuition assistance awards?
A. Priority for consideration of budgeted dollars is given to current and new families who have completed all tuition assistance application requirements on time. New and renewal applications completed after the specified deadlines are considered for any funds that remain or that may become available at a later date.
Q. Is tuition assistance automatically renewed each year?
A. No, New Garden Friends School requires families receiving tuition assistance to re-apply each year. It is the family’s obligation to make sure all accounts with the Finance Office are current. If a family is in arrears and has not made special arrangements with the Finance Office, the Tuition Assistance Committee may not allocate aid for the following year. If a family's financial status changes, the amount awarded may be more or less than the previous award.
Q. Does tuition assistance cover non-tuition school expenses?
A. No, tuition assistance is limited to tuition only. Families should carefully consider the costs of fees for technology, Polaris services, athletics or extracurricular activities when planning for the year’s educational expenses.
Q. Is there a repayment obligation when a family receives tuition assistance?
A. No. There is no obligation to repay tuition assistance awarded by the school. Loans are distinct from tuition assistance. Parents' loans with an independent party should be repaid according to the particular loan agreement.