Financial Aid
 

Why does Erie Day School offer financial aid?

Erie Day School funds most of its annual operating expenses with tuition dollars. This decision means that tuition controls, in large part, the quality of the education Erie Day School is able to offer. While recognizing that a financial commitment is appropriate for something as crucial as children’s education, the School acknowledges that financial assistance will be necessary to build and maintain the sort of student body Erie Day School aspires to have. Central to our mission as a school is to have a diverse student body that reflects the community in which we live.  It is our belief that a diverse community of learners provides our students with a more global perspective and enriches their lives by having exposure to a wide variety of socio-economic, religious, and racial groups.

What is the process?

To help families better afford an Erie Day School education, financial aid is available to those with students in Grades 1-8 demonstrating financial need. To determine your family's eligibility, you will have to fill out an application for financial aid available at www.sss.nais.org.

Erie Day School uses the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) from the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS).This is an NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) owned service that helps schoolsobjectively determine a family's ability to pay for school tuition and other educational expenses. 

This need is determined based on information the family provides confidentially to the SSS tuition aid program. Awards are based on the complete financial profile provided by the family, not solely on income. All applications for financial aid, and any resulting awards, are held in the strictest of confidence. Financial Aid awards at Erie Day School are generally presented in April.

For further information on Erie Day School’s financial aid policies, contact our Business Manager, Mrs. Cindy Minnick at 814-452-4273, Ext. 101, or via email at cminnick@eriedayschool.org. 

How does one qualify?

It is important to understand that financial aid is not charity, but rather a means to an end. In assessing a family’s ability to pay tuition, School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) evaluates each family's complete financial record.  Salary is only one component taken into consideration when making this determination.  As the cost of independent school education has risen, so have the parameters by which SSS makes these determinations. A family should never be deterred from applying if they seek an independent school education for their child. 

Where do the funds come from?

Erie Day School funds its financial aid awards through a variety of programs. In past years, these programs have included the Pennsylvania Tax Credit Program, Adopt-A-Scholar Program; school sponsored fundraising events and the generosity of special friends of the School.

How many families receive financial aid at Erie Day School?

Currently, more than 35% of the student body receives some form of financial aid.  Last year, Erie Day School awarded more than $350,000 to eligible families.