Financial Aid FAQs
How is financial aid given?
Can my registration fee refunded?
How do I apply for financial aid?
How much financial aid can I obtain?
How is financial need determined?
Is financial aid automatically renewed each year?
If parents are requesting financial aid for more than one student at Hill School, are there special instructions?
Will a change in family financial circumstances during the school year change the financial aid award?
What happens if the parents are divorced or separated?
My spouse does not work. How will that affect my financial aid award?
What are other factors that can affect scholarship award eligibility on a semester basis?
What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
When will I be notified of my award?
I want to enroll my child if I get enough financial aid. How can I hold a place while I apply for financial aid?
What payment plans are available?
What if I need a monthly payment plan?
How is financial aid given?
Hill School of Fort Worth is a member of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), which assists independent schools in
determining a family's financial need. The SSS returns to the school "The Report of Family Contribution" (RFC), which is computed by SSS from the
Parents' Financial Statement (PFS). The RFC is reviewed by our Financial Aid Review Committee and serves as a guideline in making financial aid
decisions. The RFC report does not bind Hill School to any specific award.
All aid is awarded as grants, on a semester basis, which do not require repayment and are based on financial need. Financial aid files are reviewed
and awards made only after a student is admitted and registration fee is paid.
Can my registration fee refunded?
The Registration Fee will be refunded only to financial aid applicants who decide upon notification of scholarship award not to enroll their child
due to lack of sufficient funds. The request for refund must be made in writing within two weeks of notification of the financial aid offer.
How do I apply for financial aid?
Contact the Hill School Financial Aid Coordinator (817-923-9482) for the appropriate forms. Hill School requires that the family complete and mail
to School and Student Service, in Pittsburg, PA, a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS), which is the official application provided by School and
Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). In addition, we require that a copy of the signed IRS 1040 tax form for the current year and all supporting
schedules, plus W-2's, and if applicable, partnership/sole proprietorship and/or corporate returns, be sent to the Financial Aid Coordinator. Other
documentation may be requested for clarification or verification purposes.
An applicant's file is complete when it contains the RFC from the School and Student Service as well as all required tax forms as described above.
A complete file is required for an applicant to be considered for financial aid. All information relating to the parents' financial circumstances is
treated confidentially. These forms are used only to arrive at a fair determination of financial need.
How much financial aid can I obtain?
The maximum scholarship award is 50% of the tuition cost, and the minimum scholarship award is $500 for qualifying applicants. Financial aid does not
apply to the Registration Fee or additional expenses.
How is financial need determined?
Financial need is defined as the difference between the tuition cost of attending Hill School and a family's ability to pay. The Report of Family
contribution is sent by SSS to Hill School (and to the family if they so request), and it provides the school with a formulated assessment of a
family's ability to pay for education. Major factors in determining financial need include, but are not limited to, history of and/or projected
income (including gifts, child support, etc.), expenses, assets (including home equity, savings accounts, investments, etc.), and family size.
Financial aid awards are made on the assumption that the family is allocating the maximum amount of resources to the educational costs of the children,
after meeting necessary expenses. Therefore, the school expects the funding of educational costs to be the top priority in the use of discretionary
income as opposed to other optional expenses that might be classified as "nonessential".
Is financial aid automatically renewed each year?
No. Hill School requires families receiving financial aid to reapply each year. Financial aid will be renewed each year according to demonstrated
need. Changes in income, family status, and assets may result in increases or decreases in an award.
If parents are requesting financial aid for more than one student at Hill School, are there special instructions?
Parents need file only one Parents' Financial Statement in the name of the oldest child attending Hill School and should list the other children in
the proper place on the PFS form.
Will a change in family financial circumstances during the school year change the financial aid award?
If your circumstances change shortly after you submit the PFS, please contact the Financial Aid Coordinator and submit your new information. Do not
submit a new PFS to SSS. The Financial Aid Review Committee will review the new information, and awards will be based on your need and our remaining
resources.
What happens if the parents are divorced or separated?
Hill School believes that parents have an obligation to pay for the educational expenses of their children to the extent that they are able and that
takes precedence over the school's responsibility to provide financial assistance. The Financial Aid Review Committee will consider the assets of both
natural parents, if living, before making any award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed legally or otherwise any
responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, the committee will also consider the income and assets of the step-parent,
always bearing in mind the obligation of that step-parent to his or her own natural children.
In view of this policy, it is necessary that both natural parents and their current spouses, if any, fill out a separate PFS form. It is the
responsibility of the custodial parent to ask the non-custodial parent to fill out this form. Not providing this information may result in a reduced
award or no award at all.* An extra form for the non-custodial parent may be obtained from the Financial Aid Coordinator; however, if the PFS form
was completed by the non-custodial parent last year, the school will send a PFS form directly to that parent.
* Waiving of Requirement of non-custodial parent participation will be considered with:
- documented information stating that the location of the non-custodial parent is unknown;
- or, documented information that the non-custodial parent has given no support and has had no contact with the family for at least two years.
Documentation will be accepted from a doctor, lawyer, minister, or any such person outside the immediate family.
If there are any other extenuating circumstances that might warrant waiving this requirement, written requests should be sent to the Financial Aid
Coordinator.
My spouse does not work. How will that affect my financial aid award?
Since it is our belief that families bear the primary responsibility for financing the education of their children, it is our policy to expect
both parents to contribute financially. If your spouse chooses not to work, then an annual salary based upon a 40-hour position paying a minimum
wage will be added to the income calculations for evaluation. There are circumstances such as caring for a disabled or elderly parent or a preschool
child that would exempt a family from this policy. Each application and circumstance is evaluated individually.
What are other factors that can affect scholarship award eligibility on a semester basis?
Grades and Citizenship: Student records will be reviewed on a semester basis. Hill School may withdraw a student's scholarship award due to a failing semester average (below 70) in any course and/or failure to follow school policies and disciplinary procedures.
Account Status: Hill School may withdraw a student's scholarship award due to a past due account, as reviewed on a semester basis.
What is the deadline for applying for financial aid?
For parents of current students, Hill School asks that the PFS be sent to the SSS by the middle of March, so the school may receive their report
from the SSS in early April. A copy of the signed IRS 1040 and all tax schedules plus W-2's are due to the Financial Aid Coordinator by April 15th.
No financial aid award will be made until a student is admitted to the school, the Registration Fee is paid, and all necessary documentation is
received. Not adhering to these deadlines will result in a reduced financial award. Application files completed up to 30 days late incur a 10%
reduction, 30-60 days late incur a 20% reduction, and 60-90 days late incur a 30% reduction. After 90 days, applications will not be considered for
fall enrollment. If you believe extenuating circumstances should be considered to waive the above reductions, please submit your request and reasons
in writing.
For parents of new students, mail the PFS to the SSS as soon as possible. It takes 3-4 weeks after your submission for the school to receive its
report from the SSS. A copy of the signed IRS 1040 and all tax schedules plus W-2's are due to the Financial Aid Coordinator by April 15th or within
30 days of the acceptance date if applying after that time. No financial aid award will be made until a student is admitted to the school, the
Registration Fee is paid, and all necessary documentation is received. Not completing the application file within 30 days of the student's acceptance
date will result in a reduced financial award as outlined above.
When will I be notified of my award?
Families whose files are complete by the middle of April will receive award notification in mid-May. All students' files are evaluated when admitted
and the application file is complete. Subsequent complete files will be reviewed as received and notification will follow accordingly.
The financial aid contract will be sent to the custodial parent, who is expected to accept or decline the award within two weeks of notification. In
the event the parent fails to comply with this and other reasonable requirements, the Financial Aid Review Committee may award the aid to an
alternate candidate.
In the case of divorced parents, the natural parents must decide how to divide the parents' contribution, and it is the custodial parent's
responsibility to ensure that Hill School receives payment.
I want to enroll my child if I get enough financial aid. How can I hold a place while I apply for financial aid?
Payment of the Registration Fee is required to reserve class placement. Granting of financial aid does not guarantee a place for your child.
The Registration Fee will be refunded only to financial aid applicants who decide upon notification of scholarship award not to enroll their
child due to lack of sufficient funds.
What payment plans are available?
- Annual tuition and fees may be pre-paid in full by June 30th.
- Tuition may be paid in two installments, the first half due by June 30th, and the second half due by Nov. 30th.
What if I need a monthly payment plan?
Hill School does not provide a monthly payment plan. Please contact the Financial Aid Coordinator for potential sources for tuition loans that have been used in the past by Hill families.
Please contact the Financial Aid Coordinator at 817-923-9482 if other information is needed.
Hill School of Fort Worth, Inc. admits students of any race, color, and national or ethnic origin to all rights, privileges, programs and activities
generally accorded to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national, and ethnic origin in administration of
its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship program, and athletic and other school-administered programs.