Affordability

Our commitment to your child starts with our assistance in helping you afford this opportunity.

Searching for the right school for your child can be a significant challenge. The same may be said for the financing of an independent school education. While an independent school education can be costly, the cost barrier is not as large as many families anticipate. With some financial planning, good research, and a little creative organization, the independent school option is affordable for most families. Brewster invites families to let us assist them in developing a plan to help meet school expenses. Through the use of direct financial aid, payment plans, and loans, a total package can be put together to help many families afford Brewster.

Most schools offer some financial assistance. There are different rules for different schools, and the financial aid maze can be confusing and cause much anxiety for students and parents when they are not familiar with the process. To alleviate such confusion and anxiety, ask questions throughout the admission process.

• How does the school administer its financial assistance?
• Does the school have a budget for financial assistance?
• How does the school determine who receives aid?
• What percentage of families receive help?

Definitions and the interpretations of the words commonly referred to in Admissions -- scholarship, aid, work grants, loans, demonstrated need, or merit-based need confuse many people. What are the differences? Every school should provide families with a policy statement and welcome the opportunity to educate prospective families on how the school's process works.

With that said, families have a responsibility to communicate effectively with the schools in which they are interested. Schools cannot, and should not, make assumptions about a family's interest in financial aid. Ultimately, the responsibility for this educational opportunity lies with the family. Brewster can and is committed to helping extraordinary students who would not otherwise have the opportunity to benefit from and contribute to our community, and we expect that your child's education will be a high priority in your financial considerations. Brewster's commitment to our families is evident in that 30 percent of our current students receive some form of assistance from the school. Many other families have been counseled in creative financing options.

With a true sense of partnership between a school and a family, a manageable financial plan can be developed. It is important to note, however, that most schools are not in a position to award a financial aid package to every student who demonstrates a need.

Statistics will vary from school to school but it is reasonable to expect that at least 15 to 25 percent of applications cannot be served. Find out how a school prioritizes students. The reality is that schools must have a plan to support the goals and needs of the entire community.

Additionally, most schools offer financial packages for the current year only and require all families to reapply each year. This is primarily done for financial aid that is distributed based on a family's demonstrated need, which can change year to year, and based on a school's availability of funds each year.

At Brewster we are sensitive to our families' needs and have a strong sense of responsibility to that end.

I hope that this information helps you to understand what you should know about financing an independent school education and encourages you to partner with a school to develop a plan that meets everyone's needs.

I invite you to learn more about Brewster's program by reading "Making Sense of Financial Aid"