Financial Aid

List of 14 frequently asked questions.

• Q: Is our child's admission to Tandem Friends based on my family's financial need?

  No. We do not require families to furnish financial information on the admissions application. Our admission process focuses solely on the applicant’s academic qualifications and the fit between the applicant and TFS. Financial aid grants are made through a separate process after an admissions decision has been reached.   
  
  

  Generally speaking, however, before applying for admission at Tandem Friends, families should carefully consider how they will pay for their child’s education, and what they would do if financial aid is not forthcoming.

   

• Q: If our child is accepted to Tandem Friends, does that mean that we will automatically receive financial aid?

  No. Financial aid grants are determined after the student is accepted.
  
  

  If you think you need financial aid, you should apply at the time you submit your admissions application. Admissions applications are read without regard for a family's ability to pay. It is possible that a student may be admitted and then the family either does not qualify for aid, or is placed on the financial aid waitlist.
  
  

  Keep in mind that, in fairness to all, Tandem Friends will not award any financial aid to a family who has not completed a financial aid application.

• Q: Who decides whether we receive financial aid and how much?

  At the beginning of each year, as part of the annual budgeting process, the Board of Trustees establishes a budget for financial aid as part of operating budget. The Head of School then appoints a Financial Aid Committee (FAC) consisting of senior members of staff. Once the application process is open to returning and new families, the FAC begins reviewing all completed aid applications. Financial aid applications are confidential, and only the FAC is permitted access to the files.
  
  

  The 3rd party system does not make financial aid decisions or churn out a “correct” number for financial aid. The purpose of the financial aid application is to require all families to submit a standardized application that allows the committee to compare “apples to apples,” so to speak. In determining whether to award a grant and what size grant to award, the FAC weighs all information supplied in the application, including each family’s unique circumstances as described in the family letter.

• Q: Can my child qualify for an athletic or merit scholarship?

  No. Currently, Tandem Friends does not offer athletic or merit scholarships. All tuition discounts are based on demonstrated financial need.

• Q: What are our chances of receiving financial aid?

  Parents often ask, “What is the income threshold for receiving aid?” The answer is that there isn't one. Every family has varying circumstances that affect its ability to pay for private education. These factors include family size, number of children attending tuition-charging schools, assets, and debts. If you think the cost to send your child to Tandem Friends School exceeds your ability to pay the tuition, then you should apply for financial aid. However, before applying for admission at Tandem Friends, families should carefully consider how they will pay for their child’s education, and what they would do if financial aid is not forthcoming.

• Q: We have submitted a financial aid application. What are the possible outcomes?

  Financial Aid Offer - The Financial Aid Committee has determined that your family qualifies for financial aid and an offer is conveyed to the family.
  
  

  Financial Aid Wait List - Your family qualifies for financial aid as determined by the financial aid process; however, Tandem Friends does not have enough funds to meet the demonstrated need of all families who have applied for it at this time. While it is possible additional financial aid may become available in the spring, the family should carefully consider if they could afford to pay for all tuition and fees if eventually they are not awarded aid. Families should not commit to an enrollment contract without knowing first how they will pay for their child’s education.
  
  

  Do Not Qualify - Your family does not qualify for financial aid as determined by the financial aid needs assessment process and the Financial Aid Committee. The family is expected to pay full tuition and all fees.

• Q: What is the importance of the application deadlines?

  Families completing an application for financial aid by the deadline will have their decisions reviewed in the priority pool.  Because the financial aid budget is limited, those families applying after the deadline may be on the financial aid wait list. Returning families who have received aid in the past are given preference. Families should keep in mind that the Financial Aid Committee will not review an application until it is complete.

• Q: If we qualify for financial aid, will we receive a similar award in future years?

  Tandem Friends cannot guarantee multi-year awards. Families are required to complete the financial aid application every year they are requesting aid and the Financial Aid Committee makes a new assessment each year. Each year, the size of each grant will depend on several factors that include: the available operating budget (set annually by the Board of Trustees), projected enrollment, the financial aid applicant pool, and each family's unique circumstances. The Financial Aid Committee takes these elements into account and endeavors to fairly and objectively maximize each family's award while staying within budget.
  
  

  We realize, however, that families need to make long-term budgets in order to afford their child’s education at Tandem Friends, and we endeavor to award grants that don’t fluctuate wildly from year to year.

• Q: What expenses does financial aid cover?

  Financial aid covers tuition only. If the family accepts the committee's decision, the award amount is deducted from the regular tuition. Please see the tuition page for more details.

• Q: What about divorced or separated parents?

  Tandem Friends School expects that both separated or divorced parents will contribute to the cost of their child's education regardless of whether there is a legal obligation for them to do so. The financial aid process considers all resources that might be available to the student. If either parent remarries, the Financial Aid Committee will take into consideration the obligation of that parent to his/her new family and the resources of the step-parent, given the obligation of the stepparent to his/her own children. Therefore, both parent and stepparent must submit financial information to our office. Please be assured that the financial aid process is confidential, and that Tandem Friends does not share the financial information from one divorced or separated parent with the other.

• Q: What should we do if our financial situation changes?

  Contact the Financial Aid Committee in writing to notify them of changes in your family's financial picture. Please send an explanation and documentation to the Director of Finance and Operations.

• Q: Can we appeal our financial aid award?

  Yes. The Financial Aid Committee will consider appeals. Please compose a detailed letter explaining why you feel your award merits reconsideration. Send the letter and any relevant documentation to the Director of Finance and Operations.

• Q: Who will have access to our financial information?

  All materials are kept confidential and are reviewed only by members of the Tandem Friends School Financial Aid Committee.

• Q: Whom should we call if we have questions?

  For general questions about admissions or financial aid, please contact Tandem Friends School at (434) 296-1303.