Financial Aid - Getting Started

Applying for Financial Aid

Step One: Please check the box on the admissions application to indicate that you are interested in receiving the financial aid application. Checking this box will prompt the school to send you the necessary forms and procedures at the appropriate times.

Step Two: The Northwest School uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions. To begin your financial aid application for the 2012-2013 school year, please follow the steps below.

Online Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) - NEW FAMILIES
1. Starting Monday, November 1, 2011 go to http://sss.nais.org/parents.
2. Click on the "Apply Now" button. You only have to complete one PFS even if you have several children applying to our school.
3. You will set up a PFS online account using your e-mail address and a password, which will allow you to return to your PFS at a later date before submitting. If you completed a PFS online account application for the 2010-2011 school year, you may use the e-mail and password connected to that account. If you forget your password, simply click on "Forgot my password" and follow the instructions.
4. Pay and submit for the PFS ($35). This fee is nonrefundable.
5. Print the Required Documents Cover Sheet to use when submitting additional documents The Northwest School requires. Your submission confirmation page will link to a pre-populated Required Documents Cover Sheet with your information.

Additional Documents Required by The Northwest School
1. Completed 1040, including all schedules
2. W-2(s)
3. IRS Form 4506

All required documents are due by February 10, 2012 for new families. Returning families must return all required documents by February 3, 2012. You may choose from the following options to submit your documents:

• To submit online (the school's preferred method): go to http://sss.nais.org/parents and once you have completed your PFS, follow the instructions for uploading required documents.
• To submit by mail: send a copy (not the original) of each required document with a Required Documents Cover Sheet to SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449. (For overnight mail: SSS by NAIS, Application Processing Center, 437 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021). Please enclose in a large envelope and do not fold or paper clip documents.

To contact SSS, please call (800) 344.8328 with any questions (Mon - Fri: 9a.m. - 8 p.m. EST. Sat: 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. EST).

For questions regarding The Northwest School's FA process, please Jonathan Hochberg, Director of Financial Aid.

Other Funding Options

Due to the recent turmoil in the financial markets, many lending institutions have suspended or discontinued their tuition assistance programs. Check with your personal lending institution for possibilities, or contact Jonathan Hochberg in the Financial Aid Office to see if any new programs have emerged.