Admission

Financial Aid

As you search for the best school for your child(ren), you may realize that financing an education at a private school represents a challenge for your family. We strongly urge you not to let the cost of tuition stand in the way of considering Hillbrook.

Hillbrook aspires to attract families who are intellectual and philosophical matches for the school regardless of financial resources. Hillbrook is deeply committed to socio-economic inclusivity, and provides financial assistance to nearly 25 percent of families.

We encourage families to apply for financial assistance, even if only a modest grant would make a difference. Grants range from $1,500 to as much as 85 percent of tuition based on demonstrated need.

FAQ

Q.	What is financial aid?
A.	Financial aid is a grant made to a family who applies and qualifies for assistance. The grant is used to offset the cost of tuition.

Q.	Why does Hillbrook School offer financial aid?
A.	Financial aid gives an independent school the power to attract, enroll and retain students who are philosophical and intellectual matches for the school. Without financial aid Hillbrook would be restricted to admitting only families who can afford tuition. The financial aid program allows us instead to admit only families who are ideal matches for the school’s culture and philosophy.

Q.	How does a family qualify for financial aid?
A.	Financial aid at Hillbrook is based entirely on need, defined as the difference between a family’s resources and a child’s educational expenses. Qualification is determined by The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), used by more than 2,400 K-12 schools across the country.

Q.	What factors determine qualification?
A.	Many factors are considered, including: income, assets, number of dependents, number of children in tuition-charging schools, earning potential for a spouse, second homes, vacation expenses, and various other financial obligations.

Q.	Are a family's application and grant confidential?
A.	Absolutely. At Hillbrook, the initial admissions and re-enrollment processes are completely blind to a family's application for financial aid. The only individuals who review the applications for aid are the members of the Financial Aid Committee whose members are the Head of School, the Business Manager and an outside independent consultant.

Q.	Does applying for financial aid affect my child’s chances of being admitted to Hillbrook?
A.	No. Students are considered for admission independent of financial need. The school welcomes those of all economic means. Applying for assistance does not lessen the likelihood of being admitted to Hillbrook.

Q.	Is financial assistance automatically renewed every year?
A.	No. Financial assistance is granted each year as long as a family demonstrates continued need. Each family is required to reapply for assistance annually and must submit the necessary forms within the established time frame in order to qualify.

Q.	How many students at Hillbrook receive financial aid?
A.	For 2010-11, nearly 25 percent of students at Hillbrook received financial aid. The average grant was approximately $10,800 and about ten percent of the school’s total budget was dedicated to financial aid.

Q.	How is financial aid funded?
A.	Financial aid at Hillbrook comes from the school’s operating budget including: the annual auction, voluntary donations to the Annual Fund, and tuition.

Q.	How can I contribute to financial aid at Hillbrook?
A.	We welcome your interest and invite you to participate annually in our auction and Annual Fund. You may also contact our Advancement Office to make a special gift.

Judy Parks
Chief Financial Officer
408-356-6116 x320

Apply for Aid

We welcome your interest in applying for Financial Aid. The process of applying is simple yet date-sensitive. Please pay close attention to the deadlines. Read our FAQ or contact our business office if you have any questions.

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Applications for financial aid for the 2012-2013 school year are available online at www.sss.nais.org/parents. To be eligible for consideration for financial aid, families who are currently attending Hillbrook must submit completed applications by January 2, 2012. Award letters for students currently attending Hillbrook will be mailed on January 26, 2012.

For applicants new to Hillbrook School, applications must be completed by February 15, 2012. Financial aid award letters will be mailed in March when admission acceptance decisions are mailed.

In the case of divorced or separated parents, both parents/families are required to submit applications and the required documents. This applies to our current families as well as those who are new applicants to the school. Please take note of the dates and deadlines, as the financial aid process is date sensitive. Applications for aid for the 2012-2013 school year may not be considered if received after the due date.

IMPORTANT DATES for submitting documents:

For Hillbrook families who received Financial Aid for the 2011-2012 school year:

The documents to be sent to SSS by February 29, 2012 are:

2011 W2's

2011 Form 4506 (unsigned and undated)

The documents to be sent to SSS by March 31, 2012 are:

2011 Form 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments

2011 Business/Farm Statement (for self-employed)

For Hillbrook Families applying for aid for the first time:

The documents to be sent to SSS by January 31, 2012 are:

2010 Form 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments

2010 W2's

2010 Business Financial Statements (for self-employed only)

2010 Form 4506 (unsigned and undated)

For families new to Hillbrook School:

The documents to be sent to SSS by February 15, 2012 are:

2010 Form 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments

2010 W2's

2010 Business Financial Statements (for self-employed only)

2010 Form 4506 (unsigned and undated)

Link to IRS form 4506: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506.pdf

In addition to the documents due on January 31st and February 15th, ALL of the documents listed above which are due on February 29th and March 31st are also required.

Hillbrook uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions.

To begin your financial aid application for the 2012-2013 school year, follow these steps below:

1. Starting on November 1, 2011, visit www.sss.nais.org/parents.

2. Click on the prompt to begin your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You only have to complete one PFS, even if you have several children applying to our school.

3. You will receive a password that will allow you to return to your PFS at a later date if needed.

4. You will be given instructions about submitting required backup documents by mail. You may submit documents electronically or by mail. Be sure to include the cover letter as instructed by SSS. Your documents will be handled with the utmost level of security. To read more about SSS’s document security, visit www.sss.nais.org/parents.

5. Mail the required documents:

Via US Mail:

SSS by NAIS

Application Processing Center

P.O. Box 449

Randolph, MA 02368

Via Overnight Courier:

SSS by NAIS

Application Processing Center

437 Turnpike Street

Canton, MA 02021