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Episcopal High School is committed to enrolling
students from diverse economic, ethnic, racial and social
backgrounds. As part of that commitment the school has
established a program of financial aid for families who
would otherwise be unable to consider Episcopal as an option
for their children. The school’s philosophy regarding
financial aid is that it be need based. The school attempts
to select the most qualified students for admission based
on the student’s academic and personal qualities;
potential ability to contribute to the extracurricular
life of the school community; and independent of his/her
family’s ability to meet the cost of an Episcopal
education.
While it is the school’s firm belief that the primary
responsibility for financing the student’s education
belongs to his/her family, Episcopal recognizes that not
every family can bear the full cost. The purpose of the
financial aid program is to make the school accessible
to such families. As such, the financial aid program enables
the school to attract well-qualified students who represent
the socioeconomic, cultural and ethnic diversity of the
local community.
It is difficult to predict quickly whether a family qualifies
for financial aid since individual circumstances vary so
widely, and the overall demand may vary year to year. However,
the following information may help you decide whether or
not to apply for financial aid.
Financial Aid Session for Interested Families
Episcopal
will host a financial aid information session for
families who are interested in learning about scholarship
opportunities for the 2008-09 school year. The
information
session will be held on November 27, at 7:00 p.m.,
in The Alumni House on Episcopal’s campus. The
presentation will give an overview of the financial aid
process,
and staff will be on hand to answer questions.
For more information or to RSVP for the program, please
contact the admissions office at 225-753-3180, ext. 1161.
Financial Aid Facts
Approximately $1,500,000 has been allocated for the 2007-2008
school year serving 20% of the student body. The average
award is approximately $6,047.
Commonly asked questions about Financial Aid
What is financial aid?
Financial aid is a need-based award made to qualifying
families to offset the costs of an Episcopal education.
Who can apply?
Families who have students entering kindergarten through
twelfth grade are eligible to apply. A student must be
the natural or adopted child living in the home of the
parent/guardian applying for financial aid.
How can I apply for financial aid?
Financial aid packets with complete information and instructions
are mailed in mid-November to current families receiving
aid and applicant families who have requested a financial
aid application packet. Click here to request a financial
aid packet and application online.
How soon should I apply?
The Financial Aid Committee begins to review requests in
early March. An award will not be given until a student
is accepted and enrolled in the school. Because requests
for financial aid often exceed the funds available, it
is important to apply as early as possible.
How is financial need determined?
Like many other independent schools, Episcopal uses the
needs analysis system of School and Student Service for
Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, NJ. Parents complete
a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), which evaluates
a family’s circumstances according to a standardized
formula. The formula considers gross taxable and non-taxable
income, assets, liabilities, family size and the number
of students in tuition charging schools, with allowances
for required taxes and basic necessities. College tuition
for older siblings may not
be considered in the calculations. Episcopal’s
Financial Aid Committee uses the PFS evaluation and tax
information
from the
family also taking
into consideration any unusual or extenuating circumstances.
Who makes the financial aid award decisions?
The Financial Aid committee is a committee of Episcopal’s
Board of Trustees. It is chaired by the Director of Financial
Aid and includes other Episcopal staff and Board of Trustees
members. Committee members take with the utmost seriousness
their responsibility to work equitably, respectfully and
confidentially on behalf of all current and prospective
applicants.
What affect does a financial aid application have
on an admission decision?
None. Separate committees make decisions regarding admission
to the school and financial aid decisions.
What kind of financial aid awards can I expect
in following years?
Financial aid awards are subject to review annually and
families must file new applications each year.
Only one parent works outside the home. Must both
parents be employed to receive financial aid from Episcopal? No,
however, when a mother or father does not work and there
are no pre-school children at home, or the non-working
spouse is not attending school, income will be imputed
for the non-working spouse in an amount equal to the
most recent median individual earnings for East Baton
Rouge Parish published by the U.S. Census Bureau. For
the 2006-2007 school year, that amount is $25,083,
and is drawn from 2005 census information*. An exception
can be made if the parents are caring for a disabled
or critically ill individual who resides in their home.
Consideration may also be given for the parent who is
home-schooling other children in their family.
How can I get help if I need it?
If you need help completing your Parents’ Financial
Statement or with any part of the financial aid process,
please call Richard Beaugh, Director of Financial Aid,
at 225-753-3180, ext. 1161.
Is it possible to appeal our financial aid award?
Yes. If you feel that you have omitted, or not properly
clarified, specific financial information, you may call
the Director of Financial Aid to initiate the appeals
process. You will be asked to submit additional information
to support your appeal.
What is the policy for divorced/separated parents?
In most cases, the Financial Aid committee will make an
award only after considering the financial resources
of both parents and any stepparents. Therefore, each
parental household must complete the application process.
Does Episcopal have any merit scholarships our
child can compete for?
Episcopal awards up to ten scholarships on the basis of
academic merit to students entering the ninth grade. These
awards are in the amount of $1,500. Students enrolled in
eighth grade at Episcopal or as applicants to the ninth
grade with a minimum GPA of 3.5 may compete for these awards.
For additional information, please call the Admissions
Office.
Does my child have to be enrolled to receive a
financial aid decision?
Yes. Applicants who receive an offer of a place at Episcopal
will be asked to complete an enrollment contract and pay
the enrollment fee of $550 before a financial aid decision
is given. In the event that the family is not able to accept
the financial aid award, the contract will be cancelled
and the enrollment fee returned provided the request is
made within two weeks of notification.
* Detailed census information can be viewed at the following
web site:
http://www.census.gov/acs/www/
Products/Profiles/Single/2003/ACS/
Tabular/050/05000US220333.htm
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