Financial Aid

Financial aid awards are based on documented financial need. To help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute to its student(s) education expenses, we require parents to submit a Parents’ Financial Statement. We use School and Student Services (SSS by the National Association of Independent Schools) as a trusted third party. The SSS analysis of a family's "Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)" is a critical component of our financial aid decision. However, it is just a start. To make our final financial aid award decisions, we use the SSS figures as the baseline for our own additional review, taking into consideration our total financial aid budget, our school’s policies and priorities, and the needs of our entire applicant pool. Due to circumstances like these, and others, our school may ask your family to contribute more or less to tuition than what is estimated on the SSS Family Report.

Financial Aid is a self-managed process. It is the parents’ responsibility to keep track of the financial aid application from the beginning to the end and to adhere to the deadlines.  

Need-based Financial Aid Information

"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 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.

We understand and appreciate the financial commitment families undertake in deciding to send their children to Atlanta International School. And although paying for education is first and foremost the responsibility of a family, we devote funds each year to a financial aid budget that helps assist families. 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.

Approximately 16 percent (161) 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.

Applying for Financial Aid for the 2011-2012 School Year

Please note: The financial aid process has changed for the 2011-2012 school year. All tax forms will be mailed to SSS in Princeton, New Jersey or uploaded directly to the SSS website. Atlanta International School will no longer be collecting these documents. It will be the parents’ responsibility to adhere to the deadlines and make sure the financial aid application is complete.  

Procedures

Please click the PFS Logo above to be directed to http://sss.nais.org/parents. The Parents’ Financial Statement form must be submitted online or completed and mailed to SSS in Princeton, New Jersey. 

Financial Aid Dates and Deadlines

November 1, 2010 – Families can start applying for financial aid: http://sss.nais.org/parents

March 1, 2011 – Application and tax documentation must be processed and complete

April 1, 2011 – Financial Aid decisions will be communicated to families

Financial Aid is a self-managed process. Families may begin the application process for financial aid starting on November 1, 2010. All tax documents must be received and processed on the SSS website by 3:00 p.m. on March 1, 2011.  If you are mailing tax documents to SSS, please allow at least 10 days before the deadline for mail delivery and processing. On March 1, 2011, we will print a list of completed financial aid applications from the SSS website. Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. The Financial Aid Committee of the Board of Trustees will review applications that are completed by the deadline and families will receive award offers along with letters of acceptance in April.

Parents who are divorced or have never been married must each complete a parent financial statement. If the student lives in a household with a step-parent, the step-parent must also supply tax information. Parents who own a business or farm, must complete the "Business/Farm Statement".

Current recipients of financial aid must complete a new financial aid application each school year. Re-Enrollment contracts and fees must be complete in order to be considered for financial aid. Payment schedules must also be up to date with the Business Office by March 1, 2011.   

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 (2010-2011):

• Tuition range: $17,230 - $19,658
• Average gross income: $83,470
• Financial Aid Awards range: $1,000 – $17,000 (average award of $10,081)

Checklist

• Complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online or by mail. Note: both parents must supply tax information. If married, parents should complete one PFS. If unmarried, we require a PFS from each parent.
• Submit to SSS online or by mail the following documents:
  • 2010 1040 with schedules
  • 2010 W-2(s) and/or 1099
  • Business or Farm Owner Form
  • Any additional information that would be important to the Financial Aid Committee decision
• Check status of Financial Aid application. Make sure all of your information has been received and processed before the March 1, 2011 deadline.

If you have additional questions regarding financial aid, please contact Leigh Saunders at lsaunders@aischool.org or 404-841-3885.