It's That Season

SSS Computation Manual

for Academic Year 2012-2013 ...

... is what popped up when my MacBook was opened this morning. We are officially into what NAIS, the National Association of Independent Schools, calls Financial Aid Season. And it’s always a busy time for me as Financial Aid Administrator for Holy Nativity Episcopal School. For member schools, NAIS operates School and Student Services (SSS), which provides a need-based financial aid analysis system for families and schools. This includes HNES, which, as part of its history, tradition, mission and soul has throughout the years made it possible for many capable and deserving children whose families could not otherwise afford it, to attend our school. For the past ten years or so, HNES has used SSS, which gives the school, families and children a uniform, equitable application, analysis and award process. 

Financial aid at HNES is need-based and provides only partial tuition assistance. Families seeking financial aid apply online in the spring for assistance in the school year that begins in the fall, now 2012-2013. Under NAIS SSS guidelines and HNES policy and practice, there can be no relationship between the admission process and a family’s need for financial assistance. Family financial information is seen by only three persons (Financial Aid Administrator, Business Manager, and Head of School, who are the Financial Aid Committee) and is protected as absolutely, inviolably confidential, as is the identification of those receiving financial assistance. Usually about ten percent of the school’s student population receive limited financial assistance each year.

The school provides only limited financial aid, and only in the form of tuition assistance. But the Holy Nativity School Foundation, the entirely separate and distinct legal entity that owns the school buildings and property (which the Foundation leases to the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast for use of HNES), has often been able to provide some additional financial assistance in cases of extreme need. The Foundation’s ability to do this is only possible because of the generous gifts of friends, families, alumni, and others. When my mother died last July, our family suggested that instead of flowers, donations be made to the Foundation to help provide financial aid for needy HNES students; and many friends responded kindly and lovingly. The Foundation is a 401c3 non-profit organization, and gifts may qualify for income tax deduction under IRS guidelines.

Gifts are always welcome, and may be made simply by addressing them to the school’s address. Holy Nativity School Foundation, c/o HNES, 205 Hamilton Avenue, Panama City, Florida 32401.

That's me on the roof of the school, summer 2010, overseeing a Foundation repair project! At that exact moment, actually, I was taking a break and looking down at Amy, who snapped the picture!

TW+