Financial Aid
Trinity School of Frederick values a diverse
student body in terms of socio-economic, racial, ethnic, and religious
backgrounds. To help insure this intention, the Board of Trustees of Trinity
School of Frederick has included need-based financial aid
as part of its budget to help avoid excluding those families who are unable
to pay the full tuition. The following are some of the most frequently asked
questions regarding financial aid.
What is financial aid?
Who determines if our family qualifies for financial
aid?
Should our family apply for financial aid?
How do I begin the financial aid process?
How are my financial status and my ability to pay
evaluated if I am separated or divorced?
What happens if my child has assets?
What happens to the information I provide to SSS and
the school?
If my child receives financial aid for one year,
will he or she automatically receive financial aid each of the following
years?
Financial aid is the assistance given to families who show financial need, defined as the difference between a child's educational expenses and the family's resources.
Who determines if our family qualifies for financial aid?
The School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid in Princeton, New Jersey will collect certain information provided by the parents. They will make a recommendation to the Financial Aid Committee at Trinity School of Frederick. The committee will rely heavily on that recommendation and will consider any other pertinent information as it makes its decision.
Should our family apply for financial aid?
Financial aid at Trinity is based on need as determined by the formula of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid in Princeton, New Jersey. In addition, Trinity School students receiving financial aid must live up to the school’s academic expectations and contribute responsibly and positively to the Trinity School community. We believe that the family has the primary responsibility to finance their child’s education to the extent they are able. We expect every family to contribute towards expenses. Particularly for families with more than one student at Trinity School, applying for financial aid may be helpful.
How do I begin the financial aid process?
To apply, please go to sss.nais.org/parents in order to begin the financial aid process. There you will fill out the Parent Financial Statement (PFS), which includes information on income, assets, and debt. When filling out the PFS, please include the Trinity School code 3125.
In addition to filling out the PFS, please send copies of your current year tax returns (1040s with all filed schedules and attachments) and W-2s to the Financial Aid Committee at Trinity School. If you are applying for the first time, please include copies of the two prior year tax returns, including all filed schedules, attachments, and W-2s.
If you have further questions about the financial aid, please contact Laurie Orlowski at 301.228.2333.
How are my financial status and my ability to pay evaluated if I am separated or divorced?
Guidelines used nationally remind us that need-based financial aid is awarded on the basis of confirmed need, not on the basis of willingness to pay. In that the Trinity program is need-based, it is important that both parents assume the financial responsibility for their child's education to the extent they are able.
What happens if my child has assets?
The amount of assets that any individual child has will be taken into account. That amount will be divided by the number of years they have left in school and college and added to the parental contribution for education. The sum of these two amounts equals the suggested family contribution for education.
What happens to the information I provide to SSS and the school?
The Financial Aid Committee receives and reviews the Report of Family Contribution School Report along with your federal tax information and any other information you provide. The committee maintains strict confidentiality of all financial information.
If my child receives financial aid for one year, will he or she automatically receive financial aid each of the following years?
No, applying for financial aid is a yearly process.
You will have to submit a Parents’ Financial Statement each year. Each year we will review financial aid information from SSS and review applications in light of our available funds and determine what grants can be made for the next year. Those who have received grants in previous years are re-evaluated in relation to current circumstances before financial aid is renewed. It is our goal to stretch available monies to assist as many qualified applicants as possible. It is very important, therefore, to submit your financial information by the deadlines.
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
March 1, 2013 - PFS On-line Filing
March 1, 2013 - All Supporting Documentation due to Trinity (tax returns, etc.)
Trinity School of Frederick admits qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, or religion and does not discriminate in administration of financial aid or other school-administered programs.