Financial Aid FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
How is financial need determined?
All financial aid awards are based on a family’s demonstrated need. Catlin Gabel uses formulas devised by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) as a starting point. Parents complete the online Parents’ Financial Statement. Then, using a standardized methodology, SSS calculates a Report of Family Contribution, estimating the amount a family can contribute toward educational expenses. The SSS methodology considers many aspects of a family’s financial situation including the incomes of both parents (taxable and non-taxable), assets held by the family, number of dependents, age of both parents, and the number of children attending tuition-charging schools. Allowances are made for living expenses, retirement, taxes, medical costs, unusual expenses, debts, and a modest standard of living.
Catlin Gabel reviews the Report of Family Contribution and, if necessary, adjusts the financial need calculation after reviewing the family’s most recent tax information and other sources. We then calculate grants as the difference between the total tuition amount and the expected family contribution. Our financial aid budget is finite. Our goal is to meet at least 85% of demonstrated need in order to serve more families.
Catlin Gabel reviews the Report of Family Contribution and, if necessary, adjusts the financial need calculation after reviewing the family’s most recent tax information and other sources. We then calculate grants as the difference between the total tuition amount and the expected family contribution. Our financial aid budget is finite. Our goal is to meet at least 85% of demonstrated need in order to serve more families.
How are awards allocated?
A committee appointed by the head of school finalizes all financial aid awards. This committee prioritizes the allocation of grants first to students who originally enrolled with a financial aid grant. If funds remain, the committee then reviews all other current students who have newly applied for financial aid due to a change in circumstances, and then to new incoming families. New students who qualify may also apply for the Knight Family Scholars Program, which is administered separately.
Is financial aid automatically renewed each year?
No. Families must apply annually for need-based financial aid. However, as long as a family’s financial profile remains similar from year to year and can be demonstrated through the financial aid application process, financial aid will be renewed.
Do financial aid awards cover the full cost of tuition?
Every family is expected to contribute to the cost of their child(ren)’s education to the extent they are able. In order to serve the most families, the school endeavors to meet an average of 85% of a family’s demonstrated need.
Can I find out if I qualify without going through the entire process?
Catlin Gabel’s family contribution calculator tool is currently online. This can help you understand what current families are currently contributing to tuition who have completed the full financial aid application process.
Please consider applying for assistance if you feel that the cost of tuition would be out of reach, even after your family has adjusted its assets and spending habits to appropriately prioritize private school education. Please also see the available payment plans described at the end of this FAQ.
In 2011-12, we allocated $2.9 million in financial assistance to families with annual household incomes ranging from $10,000 to $165,000, and awards ranged from $2,450 to $23,600.
Do I apply for financial aid at the same time I am applying for admission?
Yes. The admission process and the financial aid process happen simultaneously. We will give financial aid offers to families early enough so that they have time to meet admission acceptance deadlines.
Does applying for financial aid affect admission decisions?
We are very proud that the vast majority of admission offers are made without considering an applicant’s need for financial aid. Catlin Gabel employs a need-sensitive admission policy, which means that the school initially determines whether an applicant meets the standards for admission without considering an applicant’s need for financial aid. However, with a comprehensive yet finite financial aid budget, financial need becomes a consideration when offers of admission are made, similar to how the limited number of available spaces in a class also becomes a consideration. Our advice to families in need of financial assistance is to apply to Catlin Gabel with confidence that their admission decision will be based on merit and if admitted, the school is committed to providing financial aid to enable their child to attend.
If parents are divorced or maintain separate households, who must fill out a Parent Financial Statement?
Financial aid is determined based on the student’s entire family’s ability to pay tuition; therefore, Catlin Gabel requires both parents and their spouses or domestic partners, if any, to participate in the financial aid process. Each household must complete a separate Parent Financial Statement and provide required tax documentation. Exceptions to this policy will be considered for extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. The school will not share confidential information between households.
Do both parents have to work in order to receive financial aid?
Catlin Gabel expects both parents to earn income beginning when all children in the household reach first grade. At this point, if one parent chooses not to work or decides to return to school, an annual income based on a 40-hour work week at the current Oregon minimum wage will be applied to the application. Exceptions are made in the case of disability, for which documentation must be provided, as well as sudden or unexpected job loss where the parent is actively seeking employment. We evaluate other unique situations individually.
We do not complete or file our taxes until April 15 or later. How will that affect my financial aid application?
SSS must receive the Parent Financial Statement and all tax forms by the dates specified in Apply for Aid before a financial aid application can be considered. If your taxes are not completed by the deadline, you may submit a draft of your taxes with “draft” clearly noted. The committee will be able to provide a preliminary financial aid offer that will be finalized upon receipt of your completed taxes. The preliminary award may change if there is a wide variance between the draft and completed taxes.
If my child(ren) receive financial aid the first year at Catlin Gabel, will the amount remain the same in subsequent years?
As long as a family’s financial profile remains similar from year to year and can be demonstrated through the application process, financial aid will be renewed at the same level. Extraordinary changes in income, family status, or the number of children in tuition-charging institutions may increase or decrease subsequent awards.
Families are expected to fully disclose all assets and income when they apply, as well as throughout the year, so that any significant increases in a family’s ability to pay may be reevaluated by the financial aid committee and funds redistributed where the need is greater.
Catlin Gabel expects families who begin paying full tuition to continue doing so. Families who feel they are able to afford only the first year of a Catlin Gabel education should review their financial situation with the director of financial aid prior to enrolling. If a family’s financial situation changes suddenly and significantly in ways that are beyond their control, the financial aid committee will accept and review an application for financial aid.
Is financial aid available for expenses beyond tuition?
Yes. So that students may fully experience all that Catlin Gabel offers, financial assistance is available for laptops (Upper School only), textbooks, school trips, before and after school care, bus service, clubs and enrichment programs, outdoor education, and global education. These awards are generally calculated at the same percentage as tuition is covered.
What if our family is still unable to pay the tuition even after receiving a financial aid award?
If you review the offer of financial aid and still feel that your family contribution is not affordable for you, you may appeal. Please send your request in writing to Sara Nordhoff, director of admission and financial aid, within 15 days of receiving your award. Appeals must include new information that was not available to the financial aid committee during the initial review of your application. The financial aid committee will then review the appeal and decide, provided funds remain available, if an increased grant is warranted.
If, after completing the appeals process, you feel that you are still unable to meet the family contribution, please let the admissions office know as soon as possible in which case deposits paid will be returned.
Will my information be kept confidential? Who will see my information?
The financial aid office safeguards the confidentiality of all financial information supplied by families. SSS also has security protocols that can be found on their website under Information Security.
In addition, members of the financial aid committee are the only people who have access to and review financial aid application materials. Families who apply for and receive financial aid are not publicized or identified during the admission process or after admission.
What payment plans are available?
Every family pays a 10% deposit when returning their contract(s) accepting enrollment or reenrollment at Catlin Gabel. There are several ways to pay your family’s remaining tuition contribution. The plans outlined below are available to all families at Catlin Gabel.
- Single payment: remaining 90% of tuition due July 1. The 10% deposit will also be applied at that time. A 0.5% discount will be applied to the 90% tuition amount due.
- Three payments: 30% of tuition due July 1; 30% due October 1; remaining 30% of tuition due January 1. The 10% deposit will be applied to the final billing.
- Ten monthly payments: installments due monthly beginning July 1. The 10% deposit will be applied to the amount due on February 1. There is a 2% service charge applied to the monthly tuition amount, which financial aid families are exempt from.
Contact Mary Ann Rogers in the business office for more information or to set up a special payment plan.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
Sara Nordhoff, director of admissions and financial aid, or Mary Yacob, financial aid coordinator.
For help with your Parent Financial Statement, please contact the PFS helpline directly at 800-344-8328 or email sss@nais.org. Their hours are Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. EST.