DesertAcademy

FINANCIAL AID

The Desert Academy community is committed to providing access to families who would not otherwise have the opportunity to attend the school at full tuition. Our financial aid program is guided by National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) principles. Families are expected to contribute according to their means, taking into account total income, net assets, number of dependents, and other appropriate information. As with all Desert families, Financial Aid award recipients are expected to be involved in the school, through volunteering, committees, or other areas. Families must reapply for financial aid every year.  Applicants in good standing who are currently enrolled and already receiving aid will receive first consideration for aid on an annual basis with award criteria, listed below, guiding our decisions. Financial aid funds are limited and are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.

The School and Student Services (SSS) online financial aid application is available at http://sss.nais.org. Questions about the form should be directed to the SSS helpline: 866-387-2601.

Your student may be eligible for financial aid even if he or she is also awarded a Merit Scholarship. The deadline for financial aid applications for returning students is February 16, 2010 and for new students is February 27, 2010.

Financial Aid Application Procedures:

• Go to http://sss.nais.org. Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and submit it online no later than February 16, 2010 for returning students or February 27, 2010 for new students. Be sure to include Desert Academy’s Code Number 2812 on the PFS in order to have the final PFS analysis sent to Desert Academy.
• Submit a copy of your 2009 federal income tax returns with all schedules (or the latest year with filing extension verification) and W-2s to Desert Academy by February 16, 2010 for returning students, or February 27, 2010 for new students.
• As part of your application, you may also submit a letter explaining the circumstances that have led you to apply for financial aid. Although this is optional, the information is often helpful to the Financial Aid Committee.

Financial aid decision letters will be received by new and returning students no later than April 2, 2010. Recipients have 10 business days upon receipt of the award letter to accept the financial aid award. The signed enrollment contract along with the deposit and the signed award letter must be returned to the Desert Academy Admissions Office by the due date.

Award Criteria

• Academic: Student must be working at his or her academic potential.
• Financial: Financial need as identified by the Parent Financial Statement (PFS), tax returns, and supporting documents. Family tuition payment history with Desert Academy will be considered for returning students. Families with delinquent or past-due accounts may not be eligible for assistance.
• Behavioral/Social: Attendance and behavioral record for the school year 2009-2010 will be considered in making a financial aid award. Any serious disciplinary actions will be reviewed by the committee and could affect the award amount.
• Extracurricular: Participation in extra-curricular school sponsored or outside activities is a consideration in awarding financial aid.
• Application Deadlines: Application must be submitted by February 27, 2010, to be considered for initial financial aid award. After February 27, the Financial Aid Committee will make awards based on available funds.

Desert Academy does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, handicap, national origin, or sexual orientation in the administration of its educational, admissions, or financial aid policies, or in any other programs or policies.

MERIT SCHOLARSHIPS

Desert Academy’s much-anticipated Merit Scholarship Event will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2010, at 9am. It is open to all prospective students grades 7 through 12. The deadline to submit the Merit Scholarship registration form to the school is Friday, February 26, 2010, at 12pm.

The event consists of four parts. Students will:

• Complete an activities and interest inventory.
• Be interviewed by a Desert Academy faculty or staff member.
• Take a two-part standardized test.
• Write an essay.

Up to six grants of $8000 each will be awarded as a result of this event. These awards are solely merit-based and completely separate from any need-based award. A Merit Scholarship award will automatically be renewed for your student each year they attend Desert Academy.

CLICK HERE to download the Merit Scholarship Registration Form

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