Need-based Financial Aid Information

Purpose

"We believe that a cohesive community of students and faculty from a variety of backgrounds - socioeconomic, ethnic, linguistic, national and religious- is a particularly rich culture for growing both the mind and the heart of each individual student. This diversity best prepares the student for the life-long learning in a diverse, interdependent world."

The above quote from the school's mission statement is supported by the Board of Trustees' yearly allocation of funds for need-based financial aid scholarships. This commitment helps to ensure the school can admit and retain qualified students regardless of their families' ability to pay full tuition.

The desired role of financial aid scholarships at AIS is need-based financial assistance for families whose financial circumstances would generally preclude the student's attendance at AIS. In the past, awards have averaged 65 percent of demonstrated need (not of full tuition), which means that all families contribute a portion of the cost of tuition. Approximately 14 percent (122) of the student population at AIS receives some assistance through financial aid scholarships.

Applications for admission to Atlanta International School and admission decisions are independent of applications for financial assistance.

Procedures

Families who indicate on the Application for Admission that they wish to apply for financial aid will receive the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) application form. The Parents' Financial Statement form must be completed and mailed to SSS in Princeton as soon as possible, but no later than the end of February.

Parents who are divorced or have never been married must each complete a parent financial statement. "Business/Farm Statement" and "Financial Statement for Parents who are Separated or Divorced" forms are available from the admission office or online at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. Please call if you need to complete one of these supplementary forms.

Mail a copy of the preceding year's Income Tax Form 1040, W-2 Form(s) and any other appropriate form to the Financial Aid Scholarship Committee at AIS by March 3, 2008. Both parents must provide this information. Please note that no application will be considered without this information. Stepparents' financial information may also be considered.

The Financial Aid Committee of the Board of Trustees will review applications that are completed by the deadline and families will receive offers of awards along with letters of acceptance in early April.

The actual amount of a financial aid offer will be made bearing in mind the total amount of financial aid scholarship funds available and the relative need of the different applicants. Financial aid awards are credited to the students’ accounts. Families receiving financial aid are offered a 10-month payment plan - July through April and are required to sign a separate agreement allowing the school to directly debit their checking account for the 10 monthly tuition payments. Families must reapply each year for financial aid.

Helpful information regarding financial aid at Atlanta International School (2006-2007):