Tuition Assistance

Saxon Hill School is proud to offer tuition assistance to our member families. The board provides tuition assistance based on a) financial need or b) emergency financial situations. Two thirds of available tuition assistance funds are allocated to families in financial need; one third of the funds are allocated to families facing financial emergencies.

Given Saxon Hill School’s limited financial resources, the tuition assistance fund is seen as a means to help ease tuition burden, not underwrite it.

The two types of tuition assistance

1. Tuition assistance based on financial need
   1. As a general rule, Saxon Hill School will provide up to 1/3 of the program tuition for families eligible for Dr. Dynasaur benefits. For those families, the board may also approve additional tuition assistance based on the number of applications received and the availability of funds.
   2. The deadline for tuition assistance requests is April 1, for all families registered by this date. Those families who accept registration at a later date will be given a deadline by the treasurer. Applications will be submitted in confidence to the Saxon Hill School treasurer. Grants approved in April will be applied to the October tuition payment; families receiving tuition assistance will be responsible for the June and January payments.
2. Tuition assistance based on emergency financial situations

   The board will consider tuition assistance requests based on emergency financial situations, such as job loss. Applications will be submitted in confidence to the Saxon Hill School treasurer. Requests for assistance are due the 1st of the month which precedes each tuition payment (May 1, Sept.1, Dec 1).

The application process for tuition assistance

The SHS treasurer will require applicants to submit a financial background information form, a short need statement, and the applicant's most recent tax return. Families applying for assistance based on financial need will also be required to include a copy of their Dr. Dynasaur/Medicaid insurance card or to demonstrate their eligibility for it.

The SHS board will evaluate applicants equitably. Family names and details will not be known by the board. The treasurer will provide the board with family incomes on a “dollars-per-family-member” basis. If adequate funds exist, the board will approve these requests. If adequate funds to meet all requests do not exist, the treasurer will provide the board with the need statements provided by the families. The board will then evaluate all applicants in light of the funding available. The treasurer will notify applicants of tuition assistance decisions.

At the end of each fiscal year, the treasurer will destroy all tuition assistance files and distribution receipts.

The source of SHS tuition assistance funds

The Board will determine the tuition assistance fund amount during the budget process for each fiscal year and upon approval by the general membership. The tuition assistance fund will be found in the operating budget as an exclusive line item. The amount of tuition assistance will be determined based upon an analysis of several years funding and allocation.

The philosophy at Saxon Hill School is to put the needs of the child first. In keeping, the board will decide tuition assistance cases in a manner consistent with our school’s overall philosophy.