Financial aid and scholarships are awarded each year to a limited number of students to assist their families with tuition. Please click on the question to view the answer.
Should I apply for financial aid?
A: Families should first evaluate all resources available to them and try to maximize earnings and alter spending habits. Would your family be able to pay approximately $1,600+ per month, for ten months, for your child's education? If no, your family may be a candidate for financial aid.
How do I apply?
A:
The financial aid packet contains the information from School and Student Services program provided by the National Association of Independent Schools (SSS by NAIS), an independent service that Mid-Pacific Institute utilizes. Parents are required to complete the SSS Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) application by mailing the original directly to SSS in Randolph, MA, or by completing the PFS online at www.sss.nais.org. Mid-Pacific Institute's financial aid application packet explains in detail other documentation, such as tax returns, W-2s, etc., that are required by the school, and to whom documents should be sent. We recommend that the PFS form be completed online as results are sent to the school quicker.
Is the financial aid application process different for the 2010-2011 school year?
A: Yes, it is. For the next school year, copies of certain documents are to be sent to SSS By NAIS and certain documents are to be sent to Mid-Pacific Institute. The following is a table outlining what documents are required and where they should be mailed:
| Required Documents Mail to | SSS By NAIS Mail to |
MPI |
|---|---|---|
| Copy of your PFS (original to SSS) | X | |
| Mid-Pacific Institute Document Transmittal Form | X | |
| Complete 2009 Federal Income Tax Return (including all Schedules), signed and dated | X | |
| Other Tax Returns, such S-Corps, Partnerships, and Corporations for which you receive K-1s | X | |
| All 2009 W-2s and 1099s | X | |
| Business/Farm Statement (if applicable) | X | |
| Copies of Last Paycheck Stubs/Statements | X | |
| Real Property Tax Assessments (for all residential and investment real estate owned) | X | |
| Form 4506T-EZ (signed and undated) | X | |
| Financial Aid Award Letters from other schools for siblings | X |
How does the school determine financial need?
A: The School and Students Services (SSS) uses a formula nationally accepted among independent schools to analyze need and provides a preliminary estimate of a family's ability to contribute to educational expenses. SSS provides Mid-Pacific with a report of the family's finances. Mid-Pacific uses the "estimated parental contribution" figure from SSS to rank the relative need of the family applying for our limited financial aid resources.
There is no preset income figure that qualifies a family for aid. Numerous factors are considered in determining need - family size, assets, debt, number of children in tuition-charging schools or colleges, as well as care responsibility for an elderly parent. The school looks at the application, and it differentiates between necessary expenses and money spent for lifestyle choices. The school does not provide financial aid to make up for "lifestyle" expenditures that could have been directed to education.
Will I receive a report from SSS?
A: To receive a copy of the SSS report, request a Family Report (Code 9000) on the PFS in the section to order reports. This SSS Family Report would provide your "Estimated Family Contribution" amount that Mid-Pacific Institute uses to rank those applying for financial aid. (The annual tuition minus the estimated family contribution is not the amount that Mid-Pacific can necessarily provide in financial aid.)
What should I do if I'm not sure whether I can afford the tuition and whether I should apply at Mid-Pacific?
A: It is usually best to start the admissions application process before applying for financial aid. Your child may be eligible for financial aid; however, you may miss the admissions deadline or all openings may become filled before you begin the admissions application process.
Should I apply for financial aid even though my income level is high?
A: Every family's finances vary. There is no preset income figure that qualifies a family for aid. There are numerous factors considered - family size, assets, debt, number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges, as well as caring for an elderly parent. It may be in your best interest to apply for financial aid (at least once) to find out your financial aid eligibility.
What if I have more than one child attending Mid-Pacific?
A: Parents with more than one child at Mid-Pacific Institute should apply for financial aid for both children. Families with multiple children at Mid-Pacific are given financial aid consideration.
What if I have children at other tuition-charging schools?
A: Other (kindergarten through grade twelve) private school tuitions you pay are figured into the calculations of need. In order to receive aid from Mid-Pacific, parents must apply for aid at all schools your children attend. College tuition money is regarded as an investment rather than educational expense, as it pays for itself in higher income levels quite rapidly. For this reason, both parents and students frequently take out federally subsidized loans, in addition to the direct aid that is available at the college level.
Do you offer financial aid for preschool students (three- and four-year-olds)?
A: No. Due to the small student-teacher ratio, Mid-Pacific is unable to offer financial aid to the pre-schoolers.
Are there scholarships other than the usual financial aid?
A: Yes. There are scholarships at Mid-Pacific for exceptional students who excel in the arts, athletics, or academics ~ the Alumni, Clark, Hipp, Imoto, Sekiya, and Wheeler scholarships ~ all of which are both merit- and need-based. These scholarships are not awarded to students whose families can afford the full tuition.
Do I need to complete the Financial Aid and Scholarship Document Transmittal form?
A: Yes. When submitting your financial aid information, the document checklist is a good tool to ascertain that all necessary documents required by SSS and Mid-Pacific are being provided. In addition, the questions regarding the student's interest, membership in clubs or organizations, etc., help with some of the endowed scholarships and the eligibility criteria.
What is the deadline for the financial aid application?
A: For new incoming students, we ask that parents submit the PFS as soon as possible after January 1, since it takes time for the form to be processed by SSS and sent to the school. We should receive your entire financial aid application with supporting documents no later than February 15. If you are near the deadline, consider submitting the PFS on-line.
For returning students, the financial aid application deadline is March 31.
For returning students, is it too late to apply for financial aid after the deadline of March 31?
A: It is never too late to apply for financial aid, but funds are limited and may not be available to those who are late in applying. Based on the number of financial aid applications received by the deadline of March 31 and the total funds available, "relative need" is calculated at this point. Thus, parents are encouraged to apply before the deadline for maximum benefit
What if my family can't afford the SSS fee?
A: Call the Admissions Office at (808) 973-5005. We will determine if your family's income level qualifies for a fee waiver. If so, we will provide you with a fee waiver code that you can use in lieu of a check or credit card payment. Because our supply of waivers is limited, we may not be able to honor all requests.
Does applying for financial aid reduce chances of admission?
A: Mid-Pacific's Admissions Committee and Financial Aid Committee are independent of each other. Applying for financial aid has no bearing upon the admissions process. While Mid-Pacific is committed to fully meeting the demonstrated need of accepted students, there is a limited amount of aid available.
Do I need to reapply for financial aid each year?
A: Yes, unless your family's circumstances allow you to cover tuition costs in full. As long as your financial need continues, the school will continue to try to assist you. Adjustments will be made each year for tuition increases, changes in your family's financial picture, availability of financial aid funds, and the number of applicants.
Will my child's financial aid award change from year to year?
A: Financial aid is recalculated each year using information from the current Parents' Financial Statement. If there is little or no change in the financial circumstances, a family can generally expect awards to remain at approximately the same level. The financial aid awards, however, may be affected by the total funds budgeted and the number of applicants.
Are students who receive financial aid required to do "scholarship" work?
A: No, not "scholarship" work but school- or community-service is required. In the past, financial aid and scholarship recipients were required to do "scholarship" work. The policy has now been changed whereby all students attending Mid-Pacific Institute (preschool, kindergarten, and grades 1-12) are now required to do some school-service or community-service work.
What if parents are divorced or separated?
A: Mid-Pacific considers that both parents have an obligation to contribute to the extent they can to their children's educational expenses. Assets and income of both natural parents are taken into account. We cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed legally or otherwise any responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, Mid-Pacific will consider the income of the step-parent, keeping in mind the obligation of that step-parent to his or her natural children. If either parent lives in a household with another adult, we may consider the assets and income of that person, depending on circumstances. In view of this, both natural parents and their current spouses need to fill out a separate PFS form. Extra forms can be obtained by contacting the Admissions Office.
Are there exceptions to the above policy?
A: Requests for consideration of extenuating circumstances (such as a missing parent or one who has not provided support and has not been in contact with the family for at least two years) should be explained in writing. Documents from an official source, such as a family doctor, attorney, social worker, employer, clergy, etc., explaining the location, involvement, etc., of the non-custodial parent would be required.
What should I do if I have copies of all the required documents for the school, except my Federal income tax return?
A: You should submit your copy of the PFS and all documents to SSS or Mid-Pacific's Financial Aid Office, as listed above in Question #3. Your child will then be entered onto the financial aid list. It should be noted that the financial aid will not be granted until the Federal income tax return is received.
Do I need to attach a check with the IRS Form 4506.
A: No, a check or payment is not required.
When would I be notified of the financial aid award?
A: Admissions decisions for new incoming students will be sent out in mid-April. Financial aid awards will be announced at that time or soon thereafter.
Are there any conditions of this financial aid award?
A: Yes. The financial aid recipient must maintain a satisfactory record of grades, citizenship, and work performance. In addition, tuition payment history by parents may affect financial aid awards.
If a student is not receiving financial aid, could he or she apply for financial aid during the second semester of the school year?
A: Yes. Parents or guardians should go to the Admissions Office to request a financial aid packet. The parents should complete the PFS (Parents' Financial Statement) and submit the original PFS plus all requested documents (Federal tax return, W-2s, etc.) to the Financial Aid Office. If financial aid funds are available (due to the departure of a student or students who received financial aid), an award may be made during the second semester.
In financial emergencies, what should I do?
A: The parents should contact the Business Office at (808) 973-5018 if a family financial emergency should occur.
Participation in the Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) offers protection against (1) the departure of your child for any reason, including medical, withdrawal, or dismissal during the school year; and (2) the death of a parent who is listed on the tuition contract. Under this plan, a percentage of the unused portion of the tuition for school days remaining (less financial aid awarded) is paid by TRP to the school. (Please note that depending on a circumstance, often there is an outstanding tuition balance.)
Do I have to repay the financial aid received?
A: No. Families awarded financial aid are not expected to repay the awards. After the students who received financial aid begin their professional careers, the school would hope that the student/family would contribute monetarily to the financial aid or other programs so that other students could benefit in the future.
Can a family appeal for additional aid if the amount of award is insufficient?
A: Yes. Appeals may be submitted with whatever additional information is available regarding the financial situation of the family. The written request should explain what has changed since the PFS was submitted and why reconsideration should be made, along with proper documentation.
Are there payment plans or loans available?
A: In addition to a lump-sum payment, the school has plans that allow families to spread the cost over two or ten payments. Low-interest educational loans are available through special programs run by some banks, credit unions, and various financing companies that can be found on the internet ("loans for private elementary and secondary school education")
What should I do if I need to turn in our tuition contract and deposit, and I don't know what the financial aid amount is?
A: Turn in the tuition contract and deposit with a note indicating that you have applied for financial aid. If you are on the FACTS plan, you will be notified of your new deduction.
Would I lose the deposit if the financial aid amount is insufficient and my child goes to a public school?
A: No. Your deposit will be refunded if you are unable to afford the tuition after the financial aid is applied to the total amount due and your child attends a public school or a private school with a lower net tuition. (Net tuition would be the private school tuition, less financial aid or scholarship.) A copy of your child's class schedule or other document from a public school or a copy of the tuition notification from a private school would be required in order to receive a full deposit refund.
What if I have additional questions?
A: Contact the Financial Aid Office at (808) 973-5001. We will do our best to help.
Mid-Pacific Institute does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, religion or gender in administration of its educational or admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletic and other school-administered programs.
