Wooster School is committed to providing educational opportunities to academically qualified students from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. As a result, Wooster has established a need-based financial aid program for families who would otherwise be unable to consider Wooster School for their children. We award financial aid to students in Kindergarten to Grade 12.
We look for boys and girls of character who demonstrate the ability to succeed in an academically demanding program. Equally important is the student's willingness to meet the behavioral expectations of the school and to contribute to the overall life of the community.
Wooster subscribes to the NAIS Principles of Good Practice for the administration of financial aid. Approximately, $1.8 million in need based financial aid was awarded for the 2011-2012 school year to families. Additional funds were provided to employees both through the Tuition Remission policies of the Board of Trustees and in our regular financial aid program. As a result, 28% of our students eligible for financial aid receive some form of need-based financial assistance. There are over 98 students receiving an average need based financial aid award of $16,000. Additionally, with employee financial aid and tuition remission, about 35% of our student body receives assistance. This is a testament to Wooster's loyalty to its mission and to the diverse community the School seeks to serve.
Financial Aid Awards and Distribution by Income Levels
This chart is designed to give you a snapshot of the financial aid awarded to Wooster School students, and how it correlates with family income.
| 2011-2012 FA recipients | Family contribution (FC) toward tuition - how much is a family paying? | |||||
| FC = $0- $5,000* | FC = $5,000- $10,000* | FC = $10,000- $15,000* | FC = $15,000- $20,000* | FC = $20,000- $30,000* | FC = $30,000+* | |
| Total income: $0- $40,000 | 11 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total income: $40,000 - $80,000 | 21 | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Total income: $80,000 - $120,000 | 3 | 16 | 4 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Total income: $120,000 - $160,000 | 1 | 1 | 14 | 11 | 4 | 2 |
| Total income: $160,000 - $200,000 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 5 | 4 |
| Total income: $200,000+ | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 3 | 0 |
*Each financial aid application involves a unique set of family circumstances.
When evaluating a financial aid application we take into consideration: income, assets, debt, tuition expenses at other schools, number of family members, age of parents, and other factors as reported on the Parents Financial Statement (PFS)
Wooster School's Financial Aid Program
How do I apply for financial aid?
Wooster utilizes the services of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).
How do I submit information to be considered for financial aid?
You submit information using a computer online. Please note there is a fee for making an Application for Financial Aid.
- Starting on November 1, 2011, go to http://www.sss.nais.org. This is the site for your online financial aid application. The first financial aid due date has passed for all awards we will award to students by March 1, 2012.We will continue to accept financial aid applications until further notice for additional awards made after March 1.
- Click the prompt to begin your Parents' financial Statement (PFS). You only need to complete one PFS for your family.
- You will be given a username and password that will allow you to return to work on your PFS in more than one session. Your information will be secure. The application code at Wooster School is 8314.
- At Wooster School, we require the 2011 Federal Income Tax Return (form 1040), and all attachments) or your last pay statement for 2011 to complete your financial aid file. We will collect your 2011 tax return at a later date.
By Mail:
If you do not already have a printed Parents' Financial Statement (PFS), call our office.
Complete the PFS and return it to:
School and Student Services by NAIS
Application Process Center
PO Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368-0449
Call SSS at (800) 344-8328 with questions.
Frequently Asked Questions
When are financial aid decisions made for the next academic year?
The Financial Aid Committee begins awarding the Financial Aid awards by March 1.
Note: You do not have to have your 2011 income tax return completed to file an application will collect your 2011 Tax return at a later date.
What is the maximum amount of financial aid I can receive?
Assuming demonstrated need, below are our operating guidelines as to award levels and the maximum percentages of tuition covered by financial aid to students. For the 2012-13 school year, Lower School, (Pre-K)- generallly little aid awarded (Grades K-5) 50%; Middle School (Grades 6-8) 70%; Upper School (Grades 9-12) 70%.
How is need-based financial aid determined?
Qualification to be considered for need-based financial aid is based on calculations applied by SSS and the financial aid process at Wooster School. In determining one's ability to pay for tuition, the following are taken into consideration:
Calculation of Parental Assets: Assets include, but are not limited to, home equity, other/additional income, payments to pension and retirement plans, discretionary spending.
Marital status: In the case of divorce or separation, Wooster School requires both parents to file an application for financial assistance. Both parents file the Parent’s 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.
Employment Status: Wooster expects both parents to contribute to tuition. If a parent makes the decision not to work, the School imputes an annual income for a non-working parent.
Life Style Choices: Wooster believes a family should invest in their child’s education before elective home improvements, secondary home ownership, country club memberships, expensive car leases/purchases, and summer camps.
College Funds or Student Assets: SSS takes these factors into account, by dividing total student assets by the total number of years remaining in a child’s education, including kindergarten through 4 years of college.
Does a request for financial aid influence the decision on admission?
No. Admissions decisions are need-blind, which means that an offer of admission is based on the academic strength and character of the student and without information about the family’s finances. For this reason, it is possible that Wooster will accept more applicants for admission who qualify for financial aid than it has funds to support. The School will make choices based on funds available, individual merit and/or class needs in size and make up.
Do I have to apply for financial aid each year?
Yes. Financial aid at Wooster is awarded year by year. Families may expect that a student's financial aid award will be consistent from year to year, assuming that the family's financial circumstances do not change significantly and financial need is still demonstrated.
It is the responsibility of the family or the individual designated as financially responsible to communicate a change in financial status. If a family neglects to do so or information contained within the application is found to be fraudulent, the school reserves the right to alter or terminate the financial award accordingly.
If I do not qualify for financial aid, what other resources are available?
If a family does not qualify for financial aid in a given year, they are encouraged to contact the Wooster School Business Office to learn about available payment plans.
For more complete information on Wooster's Financial Aid program, contact Tad Jacks at 203-830-3967.
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