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Financial Aid FAQ

Find answers to our frequently asked questions about Lycée Financial Aid here.
What does Financial Aid cover?
Financial aid awards can cover Tuition, Fees, After-School Program Fees (1 activity per child, per term), Trips (1 trip per child, per year), and High School laptop purchase (maximum of $1,000) for each child receiving aid.

Who will have access to our financial aid application?
All applications for financial aid are handled in the strictest confidence by the Financial Aid Committee. The Lycée is committed to the privacy of our families. Financial aid information is never shared beyond the financial aid review process. In the same way, families are asked to keep the terms of their awards confidential and to discuss such support only with the Business Office.

From what grade are students eligible to receive financial aid?
All families are eligible to apply for Financial Aid starting in Nursery (Petite Section).

Should I apply for Financial Aid?
We encourage families to apply for Financial Aid if, after evaluating all other resources (i.e. French government, U.N. or other non-Lycée grants, familial help, etc.), they determine they cannot afford the tuition without assistance. All applications should be submitted simultaneously to other sources of assistance, and respect the various deadlines.

Will applying for Financial Aid hurt my chances of being admitted to the Lycée?
The Admissions and Financial Aid applications are separate processes. Families applying for admission to the School are welcome to apply for financial aid.

How are Financial Aid awards determined?
Financial Aid is awarded on the basis of need after a family has explored all other options. Each case is analyzed by a third-party administrator (Clarity), and assessed individually by the school’s Financial Aid Committee. The Lycée assumes that families applying have given prioritization to their child’s education in the allocation of their resources. All families are expected to contribute a minimum amount that is meaningful to them.

How do I know if I qualify for aid?
Each application is reviewed on an individual basis and calculations are assessed using household income/revenues and expenses, assets and debts.

The chart below offers a general estimate of expected tuition investment for families per student based on last year's average financial aid awards to families by ranges of income level. Actual eligibility will depend on your individual circumstances. Think of this as an illustration of what your financial aid package could look like; it is not a guarantee of an award.


 
Do I need to demonstrate eligibility each year my child attends the Lycée?
Yes, families must reapply to the Lycée for Financial Aid each year, as the financial awards are determined according to the family's most recent financials.
 
Which year’s income will be used as the basis for a Financial Aid award?
Typically, Financial Aid awards are based on a family’s most recent financial information (tax returns or W-2 forms). For details, please visit our partner Clarity's website.

Are allowances made for siblings at the Lycée or at other independent elementary and secondary schools, or college?
The School does not offer a discount for large families. However, the award calculation effected by our third-party administrator takes into account the number of children in the family.

Does the Lycée consider the resources of the extended family, as well as the immediate family, including the student’s own assets?
When evaluating financial need, the Lycée may take into account the willingness or ability of both immediate and extended family members to provide support, as well as any assets held in the student’s name (such as 529 plans or trusts).

Are allowances made for a parent who has just started a new business or has returned to college or graduate school?
In most instances, the Lycée cannot subsidize a family's decision to make a significant lifestyle change. However, the School will consider individual cases based on a detailed explanation of circumstances, particularly if outside a family’s control.
 
How is a non-earning parent factored into the financial aid calculation?
Because we believe that families hold the primary responsibility for financing their child’s education, our policy assumes that both parents will contribute financially to their child's education. Exceptions are made in cases where a parent is caring for a young child not yet in school, a child or family member with a disability or serious illness, or if a parent is unable to work due to disability.

Each application is evaluated individually. Please explain your special circumstances to the Financial Aid Committee in your cover letter for your Clarity application.

What if parents are divorced or separated?
At the Lycee, we hold both parents responsible for their children’s education expenses. The custodial parent(s) is (are) required to submit complete applications for Financial Aid. This information is collected in an attempt to determine the ability, not the willingness, of each parent to financially support their child’s education.

My child was just accepted to the Lycée, but the Financial Aid award is not enough to make enrolling an option. Is there an appeal process?
Families may request a reconsideration of their financial aid award if their circumstances have changed. The committee will review the updated information, and adjustments to the award may be made accordingly.

With great demand on our Financial Aid budget, once a school year begins, our funds have been largely allocated. To the extent that there is a budget available, the school will re-examine and consider an additional award.

My child received financial aid this year, what amount of financial aid should we expect for the coming year?
Should a family’s situation be financially stable from one year to the next, the family can expect a comparable level of financial aid in the following year.

Since my family’s income has increased, I expect my award to decrease. How do I know I will be awarded sufficient financial aid?
If a family’s financial situation improves, any reduction in financial aid will be made gradually, to avoid abrupt changes in tuition contribution and support a smooth transition.

I have never applied for financial aid. What if my family experiences an emergency during the course of my child's enrollment?
Families can apply for Financial Aid throughout the year. With great demand on our Financial Aid budget, once a school year begins, our funds have been largely allocated. To the extent that there is a budget available, the school will examine and consider granting a Hardship award.
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