Financial Aid FAQs

You have questions. We have answers.

We know the financial aid process can seem overwhelming, but we are here to help. If you can’t find the information you need in the questions below, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Financial Aid FAQs

• What is included in tuition at Poly Prep?

  Tuition payments at Poly Prep include the following: lunch, all technology devices in Lower and Middle School, activities and athletics on the Dyker Heights campus, bus service to and from both campuses, daily snack in Nursery, PreK and K, all athletic uniforms, and all grade-wide field trips.

• What is included in a financial aid award?

  In addition to tuition support, we help with: after-school programs in the Lower and Middle School, international and domestic travel, athletic trips, music lessons, one-on-one SAT prep and tutoring, college visits, summer academic courses, graphing calculators, and all technology devices.

• Should I apply for financial aid?

  If you would not be able to enroll at Poly Prep without financial assistance, we encourage you to complete the financial aid application. Financial aid is available in Nursery to Grade 12.

• When will I be notified regarding financial aid?

  Families who have applied for financial aid will be notified in February along with their admissions notification.

• Will my family qualify for financial aid?

  Until the application for financial aid is submitted we are not able to take a guess at the level of financial aid that a family will qualify to receive. Currently, 75% of families who receive FA have a combined household income between $0 and $250,000. Income is just one out of many considered factors. CLARITY will gather income, assets, and liability data to determine your family’s need.

• How does Poly Prep make financial aid decisions?

  Poly’s Financial Aid Committee reviews all financial aid applications in January and makes financial award decisions annually. The CLARITY application generates a recommended amount of need, and Poly Prep is dedicated to meeting 100% of CLARITY calculated need. The Financial Aid Committee reviews the files of those students who have been deemed admissible, and whose families show demonstrated need for assistance, and selects the most qualified students to receive financial aid packages. Parents should not be discouraged from applying to Poly for their children because of cost, but the school strongly recommends parents consider a range of educational opportunities to avoid possible disappointment due to limited resources.

• How do I apply for financial aid at Poly Prep?

  Poly Prep requires the CLARITY application for financial aid for all families requesting consideration for need-based financial assistance. The deadline for submission of the financial aid application, including all supporting documents, is December 15, 2024. Poly Prep only accepts online financial aid applications, and applicants must upload all supporting documents directly to CLARITY. For more information about CLARITY, please visit http://Claritytuition.com.

• Is there a fee for CLARITY?

  The CLARITY application fee is $60 payable directly to CLARITY. Poly Prep does not offer a fee waiver for CLARITY applications, however the CLARITY application will be waived for families that meet certain income requirements. For information about those requirements, please contact CLARITY via the online Chat feature available when applying.

• How does divorce or separation affect the financial aid process?

  When a child is enrolled at Poly Prep, it is expected that both parents will contribute to their education. To be considered for financial aid, both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete the Clarity forms and submit tax information. If only one parent is legally financially responsible for the applicant, supporting documentation of that sole responsibility must be provided via the Parent B waiver form.

• If I receive an award for my child for the coming year, can I expect to receive it every year?

  Families receiving aid must reapply annually. Once assistance has been awarded, families can expect that it will be renewed, provided the family’s financial situation has not changed substantially, and the student has remained in good academic and behavioral standing.

• What are Poly Prep’s financial aid application deadlines and award notification dates?

  Meeting our December 15 deadline is crucial in the financial aid process. Incomplete applications cannot be considered for aid. There is a limited budget for aid and, after funds have been allocated, there is no flexibility for Poly to award additional grants. New students receive financial aid awards along with their acceptance letters. We ask that parents explain to their children that a lack of financial assistance may impact the admissions process.

• How else can a parent finance a Poly education?

  We believe that the benefits of a Poly education—including an outstanding faculty; a diverse learning community; a beautiful, landmarked and LEED-certified Lower School and a 25-acre college-like campus for our Middle School & Upper School; a global curriculum; myriad opportunities for individual enrichment and advanced study; and an emphasis on character education and leadership—offer students a unique, and uniquely valuable, experience. However, financing the cost of a Poly education does require substantial family commitment, and many parents are understandably concerned about their ability to afford an independent school. Poly realizes this and thus provides various options to finance the cost of a Poly Prep education beyond our financial aid program:

  Semi-Annual Tuition Payments: Some families find it convenient to be billed for tuition in two separate installments. After the reservation deposit is collected in the spring, 50% of the remaining tuition is billed in June, and 50% in December.

  Monthly Payment Plan: VC Pay works together with Poly Prep to offer a no-interest, no-borrowing monthly installment plan. Parents use the plan to pay all or part of their educational expenses at the school.

• If we enter the school without Financial Aid, can we apply for (and receive) aid later?

  When a student enrolls in Poly Prep without financial aid, the school’s expectation is that the family will not apply for financial aid within their first three years of enrollment, except in rare cases of emergency aid. Our financial aid budget is limited and a small amount is available for emergency aid.

  Families who are already in the school and would like to apply for financial aid must contact the Financial Aid office before completing the financial aid application in CLARITY. Families will be asked to demonstrate a change in financial circumstances. Additional information can be found under the Financial Aid section of the Parent Portal.

• What else besides tuition does financial aid cover?

  We strive to provide students who receive financial aid with a full Poly Prep experience. We want to encourage students to delve into their passions and try new ones. Below are the many ways we provide students with financial support, beyond tuition, and the policies and procedures by which we offer support.

  LOWER SCHOOL:   

  • Poly PM (after-school enrichment classes)
  • Poly after-school care
  • Poly Conservatory Lessons (instrumental music lessons)

  MIDDLE SCHOOL:  

  • Poly PM (after-school enrichment classes)
  • Poly Conservatory instrumental music lessons
  • Poly Prep summer academic courses

  UPPER SCHOOL: 

  • Poly Conservatory instrumental music lessons
  • Poly Prep summer academic courses
  • Prom tickets

  Other support available upon request:

  • Academic and SAT tutoring
  • Curricular travel
  • Student support services for mental health
  • Required athletics equipment

   

   

   

   

Director of Admissions, Enrollment and Financial Aid

LaTasha Richards P’26, ’29, ’31, ’33

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University of Virginia – BS