Procedures Diversity Tuition & Financial Aid Open Houses & Testing Dates Application Forms Request for Information FAQs		Tuition & Financial Aid Tuition Rates for the 2008-2009 Academic Year Grades K-5 $22,950 Grades 6-8 $26,250 Grades 9-12 $27,500 Lunch Martinsville campus: $986 Short Hills campus: $986 All students in grades one through twelve participate in the school lunch program. These tuition and lunch fees are for the 2008-09 academic year only. Pingry's Board of Trustees establishes new rates each winter for the following academic year. The above fees include a non-refundable $750 enrollment deposit. Annual Additional Fees Can include, but are not limited to: For k-grade 3: books and supplies, class trips, and physical education uniform (grade 3 only)—estimated range of costs $125-$500. For grades 4-5: books and supplies, activity fee, and class trips—estimated range of costs $400-$825. For grades 6-12: books and supplies, activity fee, art and science lab fees, class trips, and athletic uniforms and equipment—estimated range of costs $1,500-$2,500 depending on the student's level of involvement. Transportation The Pingry School does not guarantee transportation. Towns close to Pingry generally provide transportation for their residents. However, most families use alternative methods to get their children to campus. Pingry transportation costs an average of $3,800 per year, and costs are based upon ridership. Parents may receive a reimbursement of approximately $700 from their local board of education for transportation, but Pingry has no control over such reimbursement. Financial Aid Pingry has a strong need based financial aid program, with over $2.5 million awarded yearly to families with students in kindergarten-grade 12. Pingry does not offer any academic, arts or athletic scholarships. The objective of Pingry’s financial aid program is to close the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of a Pingry education. Every family is expected to contribute some portion of their child’s tuition and additional school expenses. For the 2008-09 academic year, 125 students in kindergarten through grade 12 are receiving financial aid awards from the school. The following financial aid statistics include our 12 New Jersey SEEDS scholars. For more information on the NJ SEEDS program, please see description below. While Pingry’s average grant is $20,529, we make financial aid grants to address the needs of families in different economic circumstances. The range of our awarded grants was $1,850-$29,850 (full upper school tuition plus expected expenses) for the 2008-09 academic year. Numerous factors contribute to the determination of a family’s ability to pay tuition including: income, assets, general living and medical expenses, financial obligations, number of dependents and ages of parents. Please also note that each case is evaluated individually and therefore families in the same income range may have different overall financial circumstances and therefore receive different amounts of financial aid dollars. Pingry requires enrolled families to reapply for aid each year. The school is committed to supporting a student through graduation provided there is demonstrated need. It is important to note that a family’s award amount may change from year to year if the family’s financial situation changes. Financial Aid Awards 2008-2009 Less than 50% 18% 50-75% 26% 76-90% 22% Above 90% 34% Up to $70,000 59 47% $70,001 - $115,000 32 26% Over $115,000 34 27% Financial Aid Procedures for Current Pingry Families Financial aid applications are mailed in November to all Pingry families currently receiving financial aid. If you are a current family who is interested in applying for aid for the first time, please contact Allison Brunhouse ’00, Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Financial Aid, at 908-647-5555 ext. 1274. For current families, Pingry uses Tuition Aid Data Service’s (TADS) application for tuition assistance; Pingry’s Financial Aid Request Form; and copies of a family’s IRS tax form 1040, all related schedules and W2 form(s) for the appropriate tax year(s) to determine a family’s eligibility for financial aid and resulting grant award. In order to receive priority consideration over newly accepted families, current families must adhere to and complete the entire financial aid procedure by the appropriate deadlines. Families who complete their information in a timely fashion can expect to receive their award no later than the middle of March. Families who submit any necessary forms after the respective deadlines will be considered for aid after those who have met the deadlines. This decreases the likelihood that Pingry will be able to meet the full extent of their need. To apply for aid, you must complete the following: Pingry's Request for Financial Assistance form must be completed, one per child, and returned to Pingry's Admission Office at the Martinsville Campus as soon as possible, but no later than January 5, 2009. TADS application for tuition assistance must be completed by all applicants according to the Tuition Aid Data Service instructions by January 30, 2009. Apply online or contact Alison Brunhouse ’00 for a paper application. Once TADS receives your application, they will request supporting documentation. You will need to submit these documents directly to TADS. These documents may include: a) Most recent W-2 statements, b) Most recent pay stub(s), c) Most recent federal tax form(s), d) Most recent corporate tax return, if applicable, e) Documentation for all other sources of income, f) Any 1099s. 2008 tax documentation (Federal Income Tax Form 1040, all related schedules and W-2 forms) are due to TADS by February 13, 2009. Determination of Financial Aid Grants When a family completes the Tuition Aid Data Service’s application, TADS determines financial need for that family based upon the completed application. TADS computes financial need using a formula that takes into account total family income and assets, number of dependents, general living and medical expenses, and extenuating financial situations. Discretionary income is determined and a substantial portion of it is assumed to be available for educational expenses. The results of these computations are sent both to the family (if requested on the TADS application) and the school. The figures provided by TADS are used in conjunction with the other information (Pingry Financial Aid Request Form and all tax information) provided by the family to determine a family’s need. Grants are made in the form of tuition reductions which appear on the recipient’s bill; no money is given directly to a student or family. Families are expected to pay $750 when signing the enrollment agreement, 70 percent of the tuition is due on or before the 1st day of August and the remainder of tuition dollars are due on or before the 15th day of January. Financial Aid Procedures for New Admission Applicants Financial aid applications are mailed in December to all applicants who request them. To receive an application, please check the box on the admission application or call Allison Brunhouse ’00, Assistant Director of Admission and Coordinator of Financial Aid, at 908-647-5555 ext. 1274. All financial aid requests are confidential and a family will be considered for financial aid once the Admission Committee has made their decision to accept your child. In order to receive your financial aid decision at the same time as your admission decision you must adhere to the procedure and deadlines outlined below. Pingry uses the School and Student Service for Financial Aid’s (SSS) Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS); Pingry’s Financial Aid Request Form; and copies of a family’s IRS tax form 1040, all related schedules and W2 form (s) for the appropriate tax year(s) to determine a family’s eligibility for financial aid and resulting grant award. Families who submit any necessary forms after the respective deadlines will be considered for aid after those who have met the deadlines. This decreases the likelihood that Pingry will be able to meet the full extent of their need. To apply for aid, you must complete the following: The Pingry School Financial Aid Request Form, which must be completed, one per child, and returned to The Pingry School’s Admission Office at the Martinsville Campus as soon as possible, but no later than January 5, 2009. Submit a copy of your filed 2007 Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040), all schedules, and a copy of your 2007 W2 form(s), to the Admission Office at the Martinsville Campus as soon as possible, but no later than January 5, 2009. Form 4506-T Request for Transcript of Tax Return. This form allows the school to obtain a transcript of your tax return through the Internal Revenue Service for verification purposes. This form should be returned along with the Financial Aid Request Form, and a copy of your 2007 Federal Income Tax Return (new applicants only) to The Pingry School Admission Office at the Martinsville Campus, as soon as possible, but no later than January 5, 2009. The Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), (available from the Admission Office in December 2008) must be completed by all applicants, according to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) instructions. Please note that all boxed items on the form and any unusual family circumstances must be explained in the space provided under Item 32. Failure to follow the instructions will cause your request to be delayed. Once completed, send the PFS with the appropriate fee to SSS. (Deadline for submission is January 30, 2009). At that time, also send a copy of the completed PFS to the Pingry Admission Office, Martinsville Campus. A copy of your completed 2008 federal income tax return (Form 1040), all schedules, and a copy of your 2008 W2 form(s) must be submitted to the Admission Office as soon as possible, but no later than February 13, 2009. No grant will be awarded without the submission of your 2007 tax forms. Determination of Financial Aid Grants When a family completes the Parent’s Financial Statement and submits it to The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, SSS determines financial need for that family based upon the completed application. SSS computes financial need using a formula that takes into account total family income and assets, number of dependents, general living and medical expenses, and extenuating financial situations. Discretionary income is determined and a substantial portion of it is assumed to be available for educational expenses. The results of these computations are sent both to the family (if requested on the PFS) and the school. The figures provided by SSS are used in conjunction with the other information (Pingry Financial Aid Request Form and all tax information) provided by the family to determine a family’s need. Grants are made in the form of tuition reductions which appear on the recipient’s bill; no money is given directly to a student or family. Families are expected to pay $750 when signing the enrollment agreement, 70 percent of the tuition is due on or before the 1st day of August and the remainder of tuition dollars are due on or before the 15th day of January. Information for Divorced or Separated Parents Both parents – and their current spouses, if any – must complete the financial aid process. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to ask the non-custodial parent to complete the process. All information will be kept in strictest confidence. The Financial Aid Committee will be unable to award a grant if the application is not complete. When reviewing application for families where there is a divorce or separation, Pingry will consider assets of both natural parents, if living, before making any award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If the custodial parent has remarried, we will consider the assets of the stepparent, always bearing in mind the obligation of that stepparent to his or her own natural children. If you have any questions throughout the financial aid process, please contact: Allison Brunhouse ’00, Assistant Director of Admission & Coordinator of Financial Aid, 908-647-5555 ext. 1274, abrunhouse@pingry.org. The New Jersey SEEDS Program “New Jersey SEEDS is a non-profit, statewide privately funded organization committed to developing leaders through education. Through NJ SEEDS, academically talented, financially disadvantaged students are given the opportunity to excel in independent school environments. [They] offer an intensive 14-month, 3-phase academic enrichment program”, to which students apply, and if they are accepted, will begin in the summer after 7th grade. In 2002, NJ SEEDS introduced a Young Scholars program similar to above, but focusing on students in the 5th grade year. The Pingry School has been involved in the NJ SEEDS organization since its inception. Each year, new SEEDS Scholars will join Pingry to replace our graduating SEEDS Scholars. Through generous donations, Pingry fully funds the tuition of all SEEDS scholars and covers the majority of their other expenses. To learn more about the NJ SEEDS program and the qualifications needed to be a scholar, please visit www.njseeds.org.