 | Financing a Porter's Education | Miss Porter’s School recognizes that not all of the students interested in attending our school may be able to afford the full cost of a Porter’s education. To assist families in meeting the cost of a Porter’s education, we offer need-based aid, merit-based scholarships, and payment plans. Families who receive financial aid at Porter’s represent a wide range of financial backgrounds. In the 2012-2013 school year, approximately 38% of Porter’s students are receiving need-based and/or merit-based aid totaling over $3.1 million. Many of these awards are endowed, in full or in part, through the generous contributions of individuals and foundations. |
Financial Aid Information Tuition, Fees, Expenses
2013-2014
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Boarding Students
|
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| Tuition |
$50,455 |
| Technology Fee |
$435 |
| Health Center Fee |
$480 |
| Activities/Publications Fee |
$895 |
| Security Deposit |
$250 |
Total
|
$52,515 |
|
Day Students
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| Tuition |
$40,245 |
| Technology Fee |
$330 |
| Health Center Fee |
$250 |
| Activities/Publications Fee |
$855 |
| Security Deposit |
$100 |
Total
|
$41,780 |
Other:
| International student fee |
$2,000 |
|
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| Student Medical Insurance (10 months, if applicable) |
$1,630 |
| Apple iPad (for 9th, 10th and 11th graders) |
$600 |
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Need-Based Aid
Financial aid is determined through the analysis of a family’s financial resources, including income and assets. To determine awards, the financial aid committee evaluates financial information and strives to make fair and objective financial aid decisions based on the needs analysis system of the School and Student Services (SSS) for Financial Assistance, a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. SSS provides Porter's with a Report of Family Contribution which is used as a guide, however Porter's completes an independent calculation for every application. To request need based financial aid for the 2013-2014 academic year, your financial aid application must be completed by January 15, 2013. To begin your financial aid application, please follow the steps below.
2. Click on the prompt to begin the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You only need to complete one PFS even if you have more than one child applying to Porter’s.
3. You will be given a username and password that will allow you to return to your PFS at a later date before submitting it. Your information will be secure.
4. You will be given instructions on the website about electronically uploading or sending additional required documents to SSS. Please note that if you choose to send the additional required documents to SSS by mail, you must use the SSS PFS Online Coversheet. At Porter's, the following documents are required to complete your application for financial aid:
- Copies of the family’s 2011 Federal Tax Form 1040 (including all schedules) and 2011 W-2 forms (from both parents/guardians, if applicable) (by January 15).
- Copies of 2012 W-2 forms (from both parents/guardians, if applicable, by February 10).
- Copy of the family's 2012 Federal Tax Form 1040 as soon as possible (by March 1).
- The SSS Business/Farm Supplement (for parents/guardians who own or are part owners of a business or farm). You may download this form on the right-hand side of this page.
- For parents who are divorced, separated, or maintaining separate households, a separate PFS form from the non-custodial parent/guardian and a copy of his/her tax forms with schedules.
- Form 4506: Request for Transcript of Tax Return. (Please sign this form and return it to SSS.) Note: Please do not date this form. You may download and print this form from the IRS website: http://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/f4506t.pdf.
We strongly recommend that you complete your PFS online at sss.nais.org/parents. If you do not have internet access, please contact the Porter’s Admission Office at 860-409-3530 to request a paper copy. Complete the PFS and mail to School and Student Services by NAIS, Application Processing Center, P.O. Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449. For overnight delivery, please mail to School and Student Services by NAIS, 437 Turnpike Street, Canton, MA 02021. If you need assistance in completing the PFS, please contact the SSS Customer Service Center at 800-344-8328. |
Merit-Based Scholarships
Trustee Scholarships
Upon applying for admission, students are considered for prestigious Trustee Scholarships. Scholarship recipients generally demonstrate strong academic achievement in addition to significant accomplishments in the arts, athletics, leadership, service, or global citizenship. While additional materials are not required, we encourage students to submit any information that will assist the admission committee in evaluating the student’s talents and contributions to their community.
Students with a passion for fine and performing arts are especially encouraged to submit samples of their work in the following forms to the Admission Office.
Dance – Contact Director of Dance Alexa Melonopoulos at alexa_melonopoulos@missporters.org to arrange an audition or submit a video recording of a class and a prepared piece.
Music – Contact Director of Music John Eells at john_eells@missporters.org for an audition or you may submit both audio and video performances to the Admission Office.
Painting / Drawing – Submit a portfolio containing a minimum of 10 pieces. Portfolio may include, but is not limited to, prints, collages, or computer graphics. Work may be presented in slides, but there must be a minimum of three actual paintings or drawings in the portfolio. For more information contact Director of the Visual Arts Department Grier Torrence at grier_torrence@missporters.org.
Photography – Submit a portfolio containing a minimum of 10 pieces. Portfolio may be in slide format or photographs. For more information contact photography teacher Sophia Paris at sophia_paris@missporters.org.
Pottery - Submit a portfolio (photographs or slides) of a minimum of ten pieces. For more information contact pottery teacher Susan Reeder Moss at susan_reedermoss@missporters.org.
Theater – Contact Director of Theater Eric Ort at eric_ort@missporters.org for an audition or to submit a video recording consisting of a two to three minute monologue. In addition, you may submit a resume of related experience and awards to the Admission Office.
Athletics - Students with special talents in athletics are welcome to contact Director of Athletics Carolyn Polley at 860-409-3710 or carolyn_polley@missporters.org to discuss their sport(s) of interest and experience. In addition, students may submit a resume of related experience and awards to the Admission Office.
Sarah Porter ScholarshipsPorter's offers special scholarships to New Girls entering grades nine or 10, who are daughters or granddaughter's of Porter's graduates. Sarah Porter Scholarships are designed to recognize the importance of Porter’s legacies and to enhance the traditions of Miss Porter’s School. To apply, please complete and submit the Sarah Porter Scholarship Application by January 15. Trustee and Sarah Porter Scholarship recipients will be notified by mail on March 10. For more information about need-based financial aid at Porter’s visit www.porters.org/financialaid. Please contact Senior Associate Director of Admission and Director of Financial Aid Kim Mount at 860-409-3618 or kim_mount@missporters.org if you have questions about merit-based scholarships or need-based aid at Porter's.
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Payment Options
1. Pay the tuition and fees in full by August 15.
2. Pay using the Porter's 10-month Payment Plan.
Families often find it helpful to use a plan that allows them to pay tuition in a series of smaller, monthly installments. Porter’s administers a 10-month automated ACH/eCheck feature. We also accept credit cards for tuition but there is a 2.6% convenience fee for each transaction. This 10-month plan automatically debits your checking or savings account, or charges your credit card, on a specified date of each month. The plan runs from July through April and does not include your initial deposit (payable directly to the school at the time you sign the Registration Agreement to save a place for your daughter). The plan includes the remaining tuition and fees divided into 10 monthly installments. It does not include any incidental charges. A $50.00 enrollment fee is due upon signing up for this plan.
3. Pay the tuition and fees in three scheduled increments. |
Frequently Asked Questions | Q. | Who may apply for financial aid?
| | A. | To be considered for need-based financial aid, a student must be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident and the family must be paying U.S. income taxes. Families must reapply for financial assistance each year the student is enrolled. Financial aid is reviewed on an annual basis and awards may change depending on a family’s financial situation. If the family does not receive need-based financial aid, they may reapply in subsequent years. |
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| Q. | When and how should we apply for financial aid?
| | A. | The financial aid application and required forms are due on January 15. We recommend that you request information on applying for need-based aid at the same time you request application materials or as soon as you think you would like to be considered for financial assistance. Funds are not reserved beyond our initial round of awards. Therefore, it is very important to meet the January 15 deadline. The financial aid application deadline for returning families is March 1. |
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| Q. | How is financial aid determined?
| | A. | Along with School and Student Services (SSS), Porter’s estimates financial need by reviewing a family’s prior year’s tax return, W2s, and Parents Financial Statement. SSS provides Porter’s with a Report of Family Contribution which is used as a guide, and Porter’s completes an independent calculation for every application. Once a file is calculated, Porter's Financial Aid Committee meets to discuss the family’s data and determines the family contribution and financial aid award.
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| Q. | What if tax information is not available at the time of the application? | | A. | Porter’s requires you to submit tax information from 2011 Federal 1040 taxes, and then estimate your 2012 tax information to complete the PFS form. Initial computations will be completed on your estimated figures. Final action on a family’s financial aid award will not be completed until we receive the entire application, including 2012 1040 tax forms. Initial computations will be adjusted if necessary to reflect the 2012 Federal 1040 information as soon as it is available, but no later than March 1, 2013. |
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| Q. | Who is responsible for completing the financial aid forms in the case of divorced parents?
| | A. | Both parents are responsible for completing financial aid forms. Each parent must complete a Parent Financial Statement and provide their prior year’s tax return and W2s. |
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| Q. | How is financial aid determined in the case of parents who are divorced or separated?
| | A. | Typically, we consider assets and income of both parents prior to making an award. If either parent is remarried, Porter’s considers the financial circumstances of the step-parent as well. |
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| Q. | Is a business tax return required from parents who own their own business? | | A. | Yes, parents will need to provide their business tax return as well as their personal tax return. |
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| Q. | When completing the PFS, what happens if I leave a space blank?
| | A. | There will be instances of certain questions not applying to your family's situation. For those instances, it is best to fill in N/A (for not applicable). However, it is very important that sections that request further explanation not be left blank. |
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| Q. | How do estimates on our PFS affect our financial aid award?
| | A. | If an estimate that you have included on the PFS differs significantly from the information you file on your tax return, Porter’s reserves the right to revise the financial aid award. |
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| Q. | Whom do I contact if I need assistance completing the PFS? | | A. | Please contact the SSS Customer Service Center at (800) 344-8328. |
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Financial Aid Timeline for New Applicants
by 10November 1
January 15
Financial aid application deadline. Families must send 2011 Federal Tax Form 1040 (including all schedules) and 2011 W-2 Forms to SSS.
February 10
Deadline for submission of 2012 W-2 Forms
March 1
Deadline for submission of 2012 Federal Tax Form (including all schedules) to SSS. It is strongly recommended that you complete and submit your 2012 Federal Tax Return before March 1, 2013.
March 10
Families are notified of admission and financial aid decisions
April 10
Enrollment contract and tuition deposit due |
Financial Aid Timeline for Returning Students
November 1
Families may begin completing the PFS online at sss.nais.org/parents. If you need assistance in completing the PFS, please contact the SSS Customer Service Center at 800-344-8328. Returning families may contact Lisa Chetelat, Director of Student Accounts and Financial Aid, at 860-409-3646 or lisa_chetelat@missporters.org for all other questions pertaining to their financial aid application.
March 1
Deadline to submit PFS and all supporting documentation. (Please refer to requirements for need-based aid.) |
| | | Review Financial Aid Facts for Parents and complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) online. |
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