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A Rocket Science Q&A with Physics Teacher Jordan Burkey
A Rocket Science Q&A with Physics Teacher Jordan Burkey
Read The StoryTuition assistance at AFS is aimed at helping to create and maintain a diverse and well-balanced student body. Applying for tuition assistance has no bearing on whether or not a student is admitted to AFS.
AFS provides more than $3.5 million annually in tuition assistance grants and scholarships to families representing a wide range of incomes, with awards ranging from several hundred to several thousand dollars. Grants are based on a family’s demonstrated need and do not need to be repaid.
We look at many factors in awarding tuition assistance. As a result, more than 45% of the student body is awarded some level of tuition assistance. AFS is committed to maintaining the same level of support annually, provided you maintain your enrollment status and meet eligibility criteria. Each family must complete all application procedures annually by the renewal deadlines and continue to demonstrate comparable financial eligibility.
In addition to tuition assistance, we are proud to be able to offer academically talented and motivated applicants an opportunity to attend AFS through the Honors Scholarship Program, a competitive merit scholarship program for students entering grades 5 through 10. This program has a separate selection process, and acceptance of an Honors Scholarship does not eliminate a family from consideration for tuition assistance.
CLICK HERE TO READ “SEVEN IDEAS ABOUT HOW TO MAKE AFS AFFORDABLE FOR YOUR FAMILY.”
The tuition assistance process begins between October and November, when the online Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) through SSS (School and Student Services) becomes available. Families are encouraged to complete their application as soon as possible and at the same time as the admission application process is being completed.
Tuition Assistance reports from SSS will not be reviewed until a student has completed the admission application process and the Admission Committee has made a decision to admit the student. As tuition assistance funds are limited, it is strongly suggested that families complete the admission and financial aid application procedure within the earliest possible timeframe.
The AFS Tuition Assistance Committee makes all decisions regarding tuition assistance. The Committee reviews each family’s application individually. There are no income floors or ceilings to qualify for tuition assistance. Rather, the Tuition Assistance Committee considers multiple factors including income, assets, home equity, second home ownership, consumer debt, number of children attending tuition-charging institutions and more. All information received by the Tuition Assistance Committee is held in strict confidence. Families receiving assistance are asked to observe the same strict confidentiality.
Myths about Financial Aid from the National Association of Independent Schools.
The Parent Financial Statement can be accessed online. When applying, please use the Abington Friends School code 1030. You can request a copy of the assessment sheet SSS provides to AFS for an additional fee. To do so, check the appropriate box on the Parents’ Financial Statement before submission.
In addition to completing the Parent Financial Statement, you are required to submit the following Tuition Assistance Application materials by uploading them to SSS:
2019 Tax Returns:
1040, W-2s and all schedules (if you have not yet filed, a copy of your 2018 return(s) with all 2019 W-2s)
If you own a business:
All 2019 schedules filed with the IRS (if you have not yet filed, a copy of your 2018 schedules until your 2019 are filed)
“AFS has impressive enrichment opportunities outside of just academics. The faculty and staff provide a supportive environment”
“AFS is the most Quaker feeling of all the Quaker schools I have visited. The leadership really embraces the values of Quakerism.”
“I can't quite believe my good fortune to have found a school that suits our family so well: AFS truly lives out our values about education”