OVERVIEW
To the extent that financial aid funds permit, it is the policy of the Board of Trustees of Branson that no student who can benefit from being at the School, and who can contribute significantly to the Branson community, should be prevented from attending solely for financial reasons. Branson awards financial aid solely on the basis of financial need and the availability of funds.
Financial aid is granted on the basis of annual need to students of character and promise who have demonstrated academic proficiency. Financial aid recipients must submit a new application each year for which financial aid is requested. If a student’s record has been satisfactory, grants are continued from year to year unless there is a change in family financial circumstances. In order to be fair, all families requesting financial aid are encouraged to explore all possible financial aid options prior to applying for financial aid. We assume that if you’re applying for financial aid, you have no other means and have exhausted all other options for attending Branson other than through the School’s financial aid program.
NEW STUDENTS
The financial aid application procedure is as follows:
1. All candidates for admission, whether scholarship applicants or not, are considered on an equal basis. From that group the available places will be filled.
2. After candidates have been accepted, the families who qualify for assistance are offered awards which range in amount according to the degree of determined need, and again, the extent which financial aid funds permit.
3. The criteria used for determining need are those of the School and Student Services (SSS) for Financial Aid, a nonprofit educational organization operated under the auspices of the National Association of Independent Schools. Applications for financial aid require that each request be accompanied by the SSS Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). Please enclose a copy of your 2011 IRS Form 1040/1040A/1040EZ (with attachments) or 2010, if 2011 had not yet been filed, with attachments, as well as a completed original IRS Form 4506. It is not necessary to include a check payable to the IRS to accompany the Form 4506.
The information on your PFS will be kept confidential and made available only to those directly concerned with the financial aid program. Each application should be fully completed. In past years, some parents have delayed filing their forms with SSS, or have provided less than complete information. This has slowed processing considerably. As a result, by the time the completed data for some students has been available for consideration, funds are no longer available. For this reason, it is vital that the required information be provided as soon as possible to assure that your complete application is available when awards of financial aid are being considered.
SPECIFICS
A complete 2011 Federal tax return, including all appropriate schedules, must be received by the Director of Financial Aid by February 27, 2012. We understand that it can be difficult for some families to submit a return by this deadline, but in order for the School to give fair consideration to all families, we must receive your completed 2011 tax return by February 27, 2012.
Terms
Financial aid awards are for one year. Failure to comply with financial aid deadlines may disqualify a student from receiving aid. Misrepresentation, or failure to disclose completely all information on the Parents’ Financial Statement, will result in the loss of financial aid.
Every financial aid application will be reviewed on an individual basis. Our guidelines are meant to assist the Financial Aid Committee with the issuance of financial aid awards. Branson expects a contribution from each family toward the education of their child/children through some payment toward tuition as well as the Annual Fund. There is also an expectation that each family will be involved in the programs and activities of the School.
Continuing families currently receiving financial aid will be given first priority for grants. Adherence to deadlines is essential because funds will be allocated to other families if materials have not been submitted by the deadline.
Unmarried Couples and Single Parents
The natural parent(s) and guardian(s) must report all income and assets.
Divorced or Separated Parents
Branson’s policy for determining the financial need of students from separated or divorced families is derived from the underlying principle on which we base financial aid for all of our students—that is, parents should pay the educational expenses of their children to the extent they are able. This obligation takes precedence over any obligation of the School to provide financial assistance to its students.
In situations where an applicant’s parents are separated or divorced, the term custodial parent is used for the parent with whom the applicant resides (or has resided with most often during the twelve months prior to the application). The other parent is referred to as the non-custodial parent. The Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), which is submitted to SSS for central processing, is completed by the custodial parent, and if that parent has remarried, by the step-parent. Non-custodial parents are also expected to complete a PFS form and send it to SSS.
Branson will consider the assets of both natural parents before making any award and, as you may understand, cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, the School will also consider the assets of the step-parent, always bearing in mind that the obligation of that step-parent is to his or her own natural children.
It is the responsibility of both parents to submit the appropriate financial information. It is also the responsibility of the custodial parent, and not the School’s, to ask the non-custodial parent to complete the appropriate forms. If the requested information is not provided, the Financial Aid Committee will not be able to review your application. Remarriage of either parent creates a new family unit with new relationships, but we believe that the natural (or adoptive) parents still have a responsibility for educational expenses despite any legal agreements to the contrary. Therefore, the income, expenses, assets and liabilities of the entire new family are considered pertinent to the natural (or adoptive) parents’ ability to contribute to the cost of education.
In accordance with this policy, the custodial parent (and any spouse) should file the PFS. The non-custodial parent (and any spouse) must file the PFS as well. Applicants awarded aid and accepting the offer of admission to Branson will be required to submit a signed copy of their 2011 IRS Form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ with all schedules and attachments for each parent.
We will consider waiving the requirement for submission of the Financial Statement for Parents Who Are Separated or Divorced by the non-custodial parent under the following circumstances:
1. Information is provided which clearly indicates that the location of the non-custodial parent is unknown.
2. Information is provided that the non-custodial parent has not provided support and has had no contact with the family for at least 10 years.
In either of the above mentioned situations, supporting documentation clarifying the situation will be accepted from a doctor, lawyer or other such person with knowledge of the family’s circumstances. There may be other extenuating circumstances which would warrant our waiving this requirement.
Questions regarding the financial aid program should be directed to Andrew Pauley, Director of Finance and Operations. Mr. Pauley can be reached at (415) 455-7155.
39 Fernhill Ave.
Ross, CA 94957415-454-3612Privacy Policy
