Financial Aid at Minnehaha Academy

Frequently Asked Questions

What is financial aid?
Financial aid at Minnehaha Academy is awarded on the basis of a family’s demonstrated financial need. It is a grant and does not have to be repaid.

Does Minnehaha Academy offer merit scholarships?
No. Financial aid is based solely on a family’s demonstrated financial need.

Who may apply for financial aid?
Families with students entering kindergarten through grade 12 may apply. Both returning students and new applicants are eligible.

Does applying for financial aid influence the admission decision?
No. Decisions to accept for admission and to award financial aid are made by separate committees. However, the financial aid process occurs at the same time as the admissions application and it is important that new admission applicants begin the financial aid application at the same time they apply for admission; waiting until the student has been accepted will delay the financial aid decision.

How do I apply for financial aid?
We require all families to complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) which is the official application provided by School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS by NAIS). For priority consideration, the online application should be completed by February 15, 2012. In addition, we require that a signed copy of your 2011 federal tax forms and all supporting schedules, including W-2 forms and if applicable, partnership/sole proprietorship and/or corporate returns, be sent to SSS by NAIS by March 1, 2012. Failure to meet these deadlines could result in a reduced award or no award at all.

What should I do if I am unable to apply online?
Contact our Financial Aid Office at (612) 728-7774 or by email at financialaid@MinnehahaAcademy.net for assistance or to request a paper application. Please note that paper applications require more processing time.

What is “demonstrated financial need”?
“Demonstrated financial need” is defined as the difference between the tuition cost at Minnehaha Academy and the amount which a family is able to pay for their student’s education (as calculated by SSS) in a given year. The Report of Family Contribution from SSS provides a recommendation of a family’s ability to pay for education. The school uses this recommendation to help determine the amount of aid that will be awarded.

Who will qualify for financial aid?
Individual family circumstances will determine if a family qualifies for financial aid. Need is calculated by taking into account family size, all sources of income, priority of spending, assets, liabilities and long term financial strength. Therefore, it is impossible to predict whether a family will qualify for aid without going through the application process. However, the chart below shows last year’s awards by income level:

				Average Award		Average Parent Responsibility
Income Range	# Applicants	# Awards	Award Range	K-5	6-12	K-5	6-12
$0 - $24,999	18	18	$8,200 - $11,320	$9,060	$10,710	$4,990	$4,895
$25,000 - $49,999	70	70	$4,965 - $11,320	$8,250	$9,715	$5,800	$5,890
$50,000 - $74,999	60	60	$3,900 - $11,320	$7,130	$8,455	$6,920	$7,150
$75,000 - $99,999	52	52	$1,750 - $10,875	$5,680	$5,925	$8,370	$9,680
$100,000 - $124,999	32	28	$0 - $9,810	$3,845	$5,545	$10,205	$10,060
>$125,000	45	29	$0 - $6,645	$3,570	$3,705	$10,480	$11,900

Additionally, the following statistics are available from the 2011-2012 school year:

• There were 324 total applicants; 257 were offered aid and 235 accepted the aid offered
• Average family income of qualified applicants was approximately $76,000 per year
• Average award offered was approximately $7,300

What happens if I cannot meet the deadlines (e.g. tax return extensions, non-cooperation from one parent, etc.)?
Unfortunately you are at a disadvantage if your file is not complete by the stated deadlines. We start making awards in early April and will continue until funds run out. We do understand that sometimes factors are beyond the family’s control and we will work with families to the best of our ability. During the late spring and early summer, if funds become available and the file becomes complete, you would be considered for an award that takes into account your calculated need and our remaining funds.

What happens if parents are divorced, separated or have never been married?
Each situation is unique and will be handled on an individual basis. However, Minnehaha Academy believes that both parents have an obligation to support their child’s education and the financial situations of both parents are taken into consideration. The school will not be bound by the assertion of one parent or a court ruling that he/she is not responsible for the student’s educational expenses even in the case of divorce and remarriage.

Therefore, BOTH parents are required to complete the financial aid application process and submit the required documentation. If information from both parents is not submitted, it may cause an arbitrary assessment of financial need to be made by the school resulting in a lesser award or no award at all. If either parent has remarried, the income and assets of the step-parent will be considered with full appreciation for and sensitivity to the obligations of that parent to his/her own biological children. If either parent lives in a household with another adult, we may consider the income and assets of that individual depending on the circumstances.

If the non-custodial parent does not have legal parental rights, or has not been involved in the child’s life for a period of time to be determined by the Financial Aid Committee, this requirement may be waived. Any request to waive this requirement must be made in writing and a letter of verification from a neutral third party (pastor, attorney, social worker, etc.) will be required.

How and when are applicants informed of the financial aid decision?
Financial aid applicants who met the March 1st priority deadline will be notified by mail of the financial aid decision beginning in April 2012. NOTE: Awards will only be made to returning students who have re-enrolled for the 2012-2013 school year and new students who are enrolled or have been accepted for admission.

If we cannot pay the Parent’s Responsibility noted on the award contract, is there an appeal process?
Yes. Appeals must be made in writing to the Financial Aid Office by the financial aid acceptance deadline.Please refer to the Financial Aid Appeal Process found on this website.

What costs will financial aid cover?
Financial aid covers tuition only; it does not cover books, student fees, transportation, lunches or other incidental expenses.

Is there any assistance available for other costs beyond tuition?
Minnehaha Academy at times has limited funds available to help with other costs such as athletic or fine arts fees, tutoring, lunches and other non-tuition, school-related costs. Requests for additional assistance should be made through the Financial Aid Office.

Is financial aid automatically renewed each year?
No. Renewal of a financial aid grant is based on proof of continued financial need, as well as evidence that the student has exhibited academic progress and good citizenship. Changes in income, family status, and the number of children attending tuition-charging educational institutions may result in increases or decreases in an award. Therefore, Minnehaha Academy requires families receiving financial aid to re-apply each year and the amount of assistance may change.

Who do I contact if I have more questions?
Please contact our Financial Aid Office at (612) 728-7774 or financialaid@MinnehahaAcademy.net