The Atlanta Speech School (the “School”) recognizes that the cost of an independent school education for students with learning challenges is a significant investment for families. We are committed to making educational or clinical services here affordable to all qualified families to the extent that our resources allow.
Accordingly, the School offers a financial aid program intended to help families who demonstrate financial need (financial aid is not available for the Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool).
Background
The School awarded over $1.8 million in financial aid in the 2011-2012 school year under the guidance of the School’s Board of Directors and Financial Aid Committee.
Financial aid helps to fill the gap between the actual costs of tuition or clinical services and what a family can realistically pay toward this cost, and is based solely upon demonstrated financial need. Families will be expected to contribute to their child’s educational expenses to thegreatest extent they are able.
The School uses Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) of Princeton N.J. in determining a family’s need for financial assistance. SSS is a subsidiary of National Association of Independent Schools, and does not discriminate on the bases of race, color, nationality, sex or ethnic origin. This information is held in strict confidence between SSS and the Atlanta Speech School.
Under School policy a family’s financial circumstances have no bearing on a student’s application for admission. Once a student has been admitted, financial aid must be applied for, determined, and renewed annually on the basis of the current demonstrated financial need against the funds available.
To promote clarity and good understanding, we would like to stress the following points:
- To participate in the Financial Aid Program, each family is expected to hold the School high on its list of financial priorities. An adjustment in tuition is not intended to support discretionary items such as a second home, investment portfolios, debt-free status, costly vacations, expensive club memberships, expensive automobiles or large amounts of home equity.
- It is possible that the services offered by the School, except for the services offered by the Anne & Jim Kenan Preschool, are “medical expenses” for income tax purposes and for health care flexible spending accounts. Please refer to the letter included on the web site regarding the possible tax implications related to your tuition or clinic payment fee.
- Should a family’s financial situation change in any way, for better or for worse, it is imperative that the Finance Office be contacted immediately.
How to Apply
- All financial information is required to be submitted to SSS at http://sss.nais.org. The resulting SSS reports are a necessary tool for the Financial Aid Committee to meet its intention of awarding tuition assistance in the most objective and equitable way possible.
- You submit your family’s financial information to SSS online. SSS charges a fee of $37 which is consistent with SSS practices. Please note that SSS provides our School with waivers of this fee that can be applied based on family need. Please contact Pam York at (404) 233-5332 to request a waiver. A link to the SSS website is located on this page. The School code for SSS is 1410.
In addition, we request that you submit your 2011 filed and signed IRS tax return including all schedules to SSS either on line or by mail. If you have not filed your tax return by the February 1, 2012 deadline, please submit your 2010 return, copies of your W-2’s and/or 1099’s. Submit your 2011 return as soon as it is filed with the IRS.
After SSS has processed your information, the resulting reports, tax returns, and other documents will be made available to the School’s Financial Aid Committee.
- Financial Aid Due Dates
- November 1, 2011 -- SSS will begin accepting financial information on their website
- February 1, 2012 -- deadline for submitting information to SSS – for re-enrolling students
- Deadline for new families is 10 days after receiving notice of acceptance
- If you have any questions, please contact Pam York, Financial Aid Administrator, at 404-233-5332 or pyork@atlspsch.org. If you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to contact the Chief Financial Officer Jack Zimmermann or the Executive Director Comer Yates at 404-233-5332 or by email at jzimmermann@atlspsch.org or cyates@atlspsch.org.
As always, we are very grateful for your interest in the Atlanta Speech School.