Darrow School offers financial aid to qualified students based upon the family’s financial need and the School’s available funds.  Darrow’s need-based financial aid program allows the School to seek a diverse student population that reflects a wide range of socioeconomic, experiential, and cultural backgrounds.  Darrow School does not discriminate against race, color, sex or gender, physical handicap, sexual orientation, religion, creed, or ethnic or national origin.  We do not offer athletic scholarships or any other non need-based merit awards.

To assess a family's need for financial assistance, Darrow utilizes an independent agency called the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), which is overseen by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). SSS provides member schools with an objective methodology for calculating a family's ability to contribute to educational expenses. SSS does not make an award, but using the information provided by families, suggests appropriate guidelines for the School to make an award based on a family's particular situation and the School's resources. Financial aid decisions are made independent of admission and re-enrollment decisions and in no way affect a candidate’s selection in either of those processes.  Darrow School has a rolling admission policy and therefore financial aid funds will be more readily available earlier in the process than later.

To receive a financial aid award the student must be in good academic standing and perceived by the administration to be a positive and contributing member of the school community.

The process for filing for financial assistance is as follows:

	Complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS).  Please follow the directions at http://sss.nais.org/parents and submit it by February 10, 2012.  It is highly recommended that you complete the PFS online.  It is important to note that SSS charges a filing fee.  If you prefer to submit a hard copy, rather than filing online, materials are available upon request and should be mailed directly to School and Student Service by NAIS (PFS) in Randolph, MA.  Please contact the Admissions Office to receive a PFS via mail.
	Be sure to indicate Darrow School’s code:  2740
	Do not send any financial aid documents to Darrow School.
	Submit your W-2 and 1040 tax information to SSS. If your 2011 Federal Tax return is not complete by February 10, 2012, please mail a copy of your 2010 Federal Income Tax return along with a copy of a 2011 W-2 for each parent/step-parent/guardian.  Financial Aid awards will be dependent upon Darrow School’s receipt and review of your 2011 Federal Income Tax Return by April 15, 2012.
	In cases of divorce, each parent is required to fill out a PFS and send the required materials to SSS in order for the financial aid file to be complete.
	Section F allows families to fully explain any additional items that are noted on the PFS.  It is important for the Darrow School Financial Aid Committee to fully understand your family’s financial situation in order to properly address your family’s need.
	The Financial Aid Committee will consider the financial resources of both natural and adoptive parents, if living, before making any award.  The Committee will also consider the resources of step-parents or legal guardian, when applicable, bearing in mind the obligations of step-parents or legal guardians to their natural or adoptive children.
	If you have any questions about filling out the PFS, you can contact sss@nais.org.
	Please remember to keep a copy of all forms for your records.

Please note: Materials for financial aid are kept strictly confidential.  Darrow School asks that parents/guardians and students not discuss their financial aid award with others.

For a clear introduction to the financial aid process, we suggest you download a copy of the free NAIS Family Guide to Financial Aid, which is available in both English and Spanish.

If you have further questions, please contact Jamie Hicks-Furgang, Director of Admissions, at 518-794-6008 or at hicksj@darrowschool.org.