Tuition and Financial Aid

Financial aid terminology

SSS: School and Student Service for Financial Aid
Address: SSS by NAIS
P.O. Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368
Customer Service: 800.344.8328
Website: sss.nais.org
E-mail: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

PFS: Parents' Financial Statement: This form must be completed by custodial and noncustodial parents.

RFC: Report of Financial Contribution:This report is processed and made available to Dana Hall by SSS, after reviewing your completed PFS form.

Dana Hall School Code: 2728

Financial Aid Office:
Dana Hall Admission & Financial Aid Office
45 Dana Road
Wellesley, MA 02482-9010
(t)781.235.3010 ext. 2531, (f) 781.239.1383
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Financial Aid Policies

In an effort to be as consistent as possible in assessing a family’s need for financial assistance, the Financial Aid Committee has drawn up the following policies, which govern financial aid at Dana Hall.

  1. Financial aid awards are based solely upon the family’s demonstrated need as determined by the Financial Aid Committee; parents/guardians are expected to support their student(s) to the extent they are able as determined by SSS and Dana Hall School.

  2. Two-parent families are expected to both be employed, if home and health situation permit.

  3. For parents who are separated or divorced, Dana Hall also requires the noncustodial parent to complete a PFS and submit it to SSS. Both parents must also send copies of their fedeal tax returns (IRS Form 1040) and all supporting schedules to the Financial Aid office at Dana Hall.

  4. Families who have been awarded financial aid must reapply each year. Awards may be adjusted if family financial circumstances change significantly.

  5. A sibling of a student currently receiving financial aid is not gauranteed assistance. Each student's application is considered separately.

  6. Dana Hall’s financial aid offers do not cover such items as private music instruction, riding lessons, exchange trips, books, or other miscellaneaous expenses. There is a small amount of discretionary funding available to students on aid for unusual circumstances, upon approval of the Director of the Upper School or Director of the Middle School and the Financial Aid Committee.

How to apply for financial aid (custodial and noncustodial parents):

1. Complete and submit the PFS form to School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). Dana Hall’s school code is 2728. You may estimate earnings for the 2011 tax year if you have not yet completed your tax return. (A separate PFS form must be completed by each parent, if divorced or separated and filing separate tax returns.)
     a. The easiest and fastest way to submit your PFS form is through the SSS website.
          i. Go to sss.nais.org and complete your PFS form.
          ii. Print and keep a copy of the form for your records. Do not mail a copy of the form to the Financial Aid Office.
     b. If you do not have online access or prefer to submit a printed form, call the Financial Aid Office at 781.235.3010 ext. 2531, or e-mail This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .
          i. Send your completed original PFS form to SSS.
          ii. Keep a copy of your completed form and keep it for your records. Do not mail a copy of the form to the Financial Aid Office.

2. Submit supporting tax documents directly to the Financial Aid Office at Dana Hall School, in accordance with the financial aid timeline. Do not upload tax documents to the SSS website.
     a. Send a signed copy of your 2010 and 2011 federal tax return (IRS Form 1040), along with all supporting schedules and W-2 forms, to the Financial Aid Office. This applies to both parents, if divorced, separated, or filing separately.
     b. If you receive income from a trade or business, please also submit a Business/Farm Statement to the Financial Aid Office.

Financial Aid Timeline & Checklist:

January 2, 2012: Deadline for PFS – All Applicants
• A separate PFS form must be submitted by each parent, if divorced or separated and filing separate tax returns.
• If you submit an online form: Complete the PFS form on the SSS website, sss.nais.org. Print and keep a copy of the form for your records.
• If you submit a printed form: Send your completed PFS form to SSS. Make a copy of the form and keep it for your records. Do not mail a copy of the form to the Financial Aid Office.

January 16, 2012: Deadline for 2010 Tax Returns – New Applicants
• Tax returns are required from both parents, if divorced, separated, or filing separately.
• Send signed copies of your 2010 tax returns, including all supporting schedules, W-2 forms, and Business/Farm Statements, if applicable, to the Financial Aid Office, at Dana Hall School. Do not upload tax documents to the SSS website.

March 1, 2012: Deadline for 2011 Tax Returns – All Applicants
• Tax returns are required from both parents, if divorced, separated, or filing separately.
• Send signed copies of your 2011 tax returns, including all supporting schedules, W-2 forms, and Business/Farm Statements, if applicable, to the Financial Aid Office, at Dana Hall School. Do not upload tax documents to the SSS website.

March 15, 2012
On or before this date, the Financial Aid Committee will mail its financial aid decisions to new families.

April 10, 2012
On or before this date, new families must notify Dana Hall of their decision to accept or decline the financial aid offer.

Please note: Families are expected to adhere strictly to all of the following financial aid deadline. Failure to do so may jeopardize a student's award.

Please note: The Financial Aid Committee wants to remind all financial aid applicants that there are always more requests than there is available aid. The Committee reserves the right to recalculate a financial aid award, if information received on the 2011 IRS 1040 warrants another review. All parent financial information submitted is assured complete confidentiality.

Payment Plan and Loan Options

Plan I – Full payment of tuition and activity deposit due July 15, 2012

Plan II – 60% tuition and 100% activity deposit July 15, 2012, 40% tuition due December 1, 2012

Plan III – 10-Month Payment Plan
-$80 administration fee
-First payment due May 1, 2012

External Loan Programs

SLM Financial Corporation - A Sallie Mae company
888.2.SALLIE or  www.salliemae.com
Your Tuition Solution - A program of Springstone Financial, LLC
800.920.9777 or  www.tuitionsolution.com.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. As a new family, when do we apply for financial aid?
As a new family, you must submit PFS forms to SSS by January 2, 2012. Remember, you can estimate the current year’s taxes, if your return is not yet complete, so do not delay in submitting this form. PFS forms completed online are processed immediately. However, SSS requires approximately 10 business days to process printed PFS forms, once they receive the form. Therefore, please allow for extra processing time, before the January 2 deadline, if you use the printed form. Tax documents must be sent to the Financial Aid Office, in accordance with the financial aid timeline.

2. As a current family on financial aid, when do we reapply?
As a current family on financial aid, you must submit PFS forms and tax forms using the same guidelines as for new families, above. The Financial Aid Committee wants to remind all returning families that although funds have been set aside for you, any delays in submitting all required information by the established deadlines may jeopardize renewal of your award.

3. How is financial aid determined?
After SSS processes the PFS, the RFC is made available to Dana Hall. Once the Financial Aid Office receives all financial materials, the Committee will review each family’s request. Consideration for aid is made only after a student has been offered a place at Dana Hall. All financial aid is awarded on the basis of need as determined by SSS and the Financial Aid Committee.

4. How are financial aid applications handled for parents who are divorced or separated, or parents who have never been married?
All parents retain the obligation to contribute what they can afford to the education of their children, regardless of marital status. In most cases, the Financial Aid Committee will make an award only after considering the financial resources of all parents. The Financial Aid Committee will consider the net assets and earnings of both parents before making any award and may not be bound by the assertion that one parent disclaims responsibility for educational expenses. The custodial parent and non custodial parent are both required to complete the PFS. If the custodial parent has remarried, we will consider all assets of the step-parent, always bearing in mind the obligation of the step-parent to his or her own children.

5. How are financial aid applications handled for non working parents?
In instances where one parent chooses not to work and has children who are in school full time, the Financial Aid Committee will recalculate financial need using an imputed, minimum income for the non-working parent. Note that this policy does not require the parent to work; it only attempts to adjust the level of need by accounting for the minimum income that the parent could earn if he or she chose to work. If a parent can document that they are disabled or otherwise unable to work (caring for an aged parent, for example), this policy would not apply.

6. Is the financial aid award in the form of a loan or a grant?
All financial aid awards are grants and do not require repayment. Grants range from $2,000 to the full cost of tuition.

7. Is Financial Aid available to International students?
No. The financial need assessment used by Dana Hall School is based on the United States income taxation and cost of living systems. Dana Hall School is only able to consider applicants for Financial Aid if they are US Citizens or permanent residents holding green cards.

8. Are trust funds and/or college funds considered as assets?
Trust funds and/or accounts earmarked “For College” are considered student assets and are treated accordingly.

9. Will my child receive financial aid in subsequent years?
Families must reapply for financial aid each year. Financial aid is awarded based on a family’s particular circumstances in each year. If a family’s need increases, we will make every effort to meet that need. However, we can only guarantee the level of aid awarded in the previous year. Funding may not be considered or made if the student is on academic probation or financial hold.

10. If we didn’t receive financial aid this year, can we apply for it next year?
The Financial Aid Committee will consider applications from returning Dana Hall families who have not received financial aid in the past. However, it is our expectation that families who begin at Dana Hall School paying the full tuition will continue to do so. Should extraordinary circumstances arise, families are encouraged to contact the Director of Financial Aid directly.

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