Tuition and Affording SES

List of 14 frequently asked questions.

• What is Variable Tuition?

  The Variable Tuition program is based on a confidential financial assessment to determine a family’s estimated ability to contribute to Saint Edward’s School tuition.  Saint Edward’s School utilizes the nationally standardized system provided by School and Student Services (SSS) to determine a family’s calculated expected contribution.  A small and completely confidential Committee will use the report generated by SSS to determine whether Variable Tuition will be granted, and if so, in what amount. Funds granted by the Tuition Assistance Committee are grants that do not need to be repaid.  

• When should I apply for Variable Tuition?

  The deadline to complete the application for Variable Tuition is November 1 for returning students and February 15 for new applicants. Returning students will be considered first as long as all deadlines are met. Subsequently, new applicants who have successfully completed the admission process and have been accepted by the Admission Committee will be considered by the Variable Tuition Committee. The admission process is completely separate from the variable tuition process. New families must submit an admission application before applying for variable tuition. Applying for Variable Tuition will not affect a child’s application for admission.

• How do I apply for Variable Tuition?

  You must submit an application and upload supporting material to the nationally recognized third party administrator, School and Student Services (SSS), which can be done at any time during the application process, preferably concurrent with your admissions application. Please be assured that all information provided to SSS and Saint Edward’s School is kept strictly confidential.
   
  Visit www.solutionsbysss.com/parents
  

  1. Create an SSS online account or login to your existing account.
  2. Begin an SSS Application for Academic Year 2022-2023 using the code for Saint Edward’s School: 6412
  3. Submit and upload required documentation by February 15, 2022. 
  4. Send a signed and undated IRS form 4506-T form to Saint Edward’s School attn: Patty Seaman by February 15, 2022

• Do I need to apply for Variable Tuition every year?

  Yes. Priority is given to re-enrolling families. We understand that family circumstances may change.  If all factors remain the same, families can expect that their Variable Tuition rate will be similar to the prior year, while recognizing that factors such as annual tuition increases and changes in grade level tuition rates may impact the amount of each family's contributions. Qualification for and the exact amount of Variable Tuition must be applied for, evaluated and determined annually.

• Are all admitted students offered Variable Tuition if the family qualifies?

  Please note that an application for Variable Tuition and the subsequent report from School and Student Services (SSS) does not guarantee any specific modification to tuition rates, rather it gives the Committee a guide to use when determining how much, if any, assistance will be offered to a family.   A student may be admitted to the school but placed in a waiting pool for Variable Tuition. It is recommended that families apply for Variable Tuition as early as possible but with a fixed budget and guided by enrollment needs and school policies, not all qualified applicants will receive a Variable Tuition rate.

• How is Variable Tuition calculated?

  School and Student Services (SSS) will perform a detailed analysis of the following items to calculate a family’s expected contribution to tuition.  Some of the factors considered are annual household income, assets, mortgage/rent and other debt payments, and the number of people in the household.  Applicants to Saint Edward’s School must have been accepted in the admissions process in order to be considered for Variable Tuition.  Returning students must remain in good academic standing and be current with their financial obligations to Saint Edward’s School to be considered for Variable Tuition.  
  
  The Variable Tuition Committee makes decisions based on demonstrated need and will need to consider lifestyle choices made by families including multiple homes, boats, cars, travel, and club memberships. In the case of two-parent families where only one parent works, and if there are no dependent children or parents at home, the Committee will impute an annual income of $25,000 for the non-working parent unless special extenuating circumstances are shown in the application. Awards granted do not apply to uniforms, lunch, transportation, and other discretionary charges.  

• Do you offer Scholarships?

  While Saint Edward’s School does not offer academic, athletic, or other merit-based scholarships, we are proud to offer a Variable Tuition program to help qualified students afford a high-quality private school education with us.   

• Are there any other resources available to families?

  We also encourage all qualifying families to apply for the Scholarships for Educational Options through the Step Up for Students (SUFS) program. These grants can be used to help pay for an independent school education. Students entering kindergarten through twelfth grade are eligible. Families must inform the school both when they apply for and receive the Scholarship from SUFS. Please note that the School will assume that families requesting Variable Tuition are also applying for the Scholarships for Educational Options. For the
  2024-2025 School year, the amount awarded to the family through the Variable Tuition Program will be separate from any SUFS Scholarship. Any subsequent Scholarship for Educational Options award will be credited to your account when it is received. If you are denied or otherwise unable to secure a Scholarship through SUFS you may request reconsideration of your Variable Tuition award. SUFS has an additional program called The Family Empowerment Scholarship for Unique Abilities, which provides educational opportunities for children with certain special needs. Due to the nature of this scholarship, please contact the Director of Enrollment Management at 772 492-2364 to determine if we are able to meet the needs of your student.
  
  Please note that our school accommodates students with disabilities in accordance with the requirements under federal and local law.  However, your child may not necessarily receive the types of accommodations or related services that your child may be entitled to receive at a public school as public schools have different obligations under the IDEA. The IDEA does not apply to private schools.  We are happy to have a conversation with you about the accommodations that your child may need and be entitled to at our school. You may access all of these applications below:
  Step up for Students: https://www.stepupforstudents.org

• My child will be attending the Little Pirates program or Pre-Kindergarten 4.  Should I apply for Variable Tuition?

  Variable Tuition only applies to students in Kindergarten through 12th grade.  If you only have children applying to Little Pirates or
  Pre-Kindergarten, you should not apply for Variable Tuition. Please note that students in older grades and in grades with space may receive more priority for Variable Tuition grants.

• I am divorced. Do both parents need to complete the School and Student Services (SSS) Application?

  Both parents are responsible for tuition. Both parents will need to complete the SSS application separately. Parents will not be able to see each other’s information.

• Will a Variable Tuition Request affect my child’s chances of admission to Saint Edward’s School?

  No. These are two separate and distinct processes.  Only students who have been admitted to Saint Edward’s School will be considered for a Variable Tuition grant. 

• Will Variable Tuition lead to larger class sizes?

  No.  Class sizes are determined by administration prior to and separately from determinations of Variable Tuition grants.  It is possible for a student to be placed in both an Admission wait pool and Variable Tuition wait pool.

• Who should I contact with questions?

  • For questions related to your application for Variable Tuition, contact SSS Customer Service Center: (800) 344-8328 or sss@communitybrands.com 
    
    
  • For tuition-related questions specific to Saint Edward’s School, contact Patty Seaman (772) 492-2316
    
    
  • For questions related to the final determination of your family’s Variable Tuition rate or to appeal the original grant due to changes in circumstances, contact Mara Slattery (772) 492-2364

• *Information for parents enrolling students under the FES-UA scholarship.

  Please note that our school accommodates students with disabilities in accordance with the requirements under federal and local law.  However, your child may not necessarily receive the types of accommodations or related services that your child may be entitled to receive at a public school as public schools have different obligations under the IDEA. The IDEA does not apply to private schools.  We are happy to have a conversation with you about the accommodations that your child may need and be entitled to at our school.