Affording Sage Hill

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• Is Flexible Tuition confidential?

  The Flexible Tuition application is a confidential process between the School’s financial aid committee and the family. Decisions are based on a family’s personal financial matters — information which is held highly confidential.

• How is financial need assessed?

  There are several key factors in determining a family’s financial strength and, therefore, the appropriate Flexible Tuition amount. Within each category are the following items: 

  
  Assets
  Family assets may include: taxable wages, if self-employed, income drawn as salary but not included as business profit, taxable dividend and/or interest income, alimony or child support received, pensions, annuities, rent, royalties, estates or trusts, household expenses paid by separated or divorced spouse in lieu of alimony, unemployment compensation, capital gains, taxable IRA distributions, business profits, Social Security benefits, real estate, vehicles, bank accounts, and other investments.

  
  Expenses and Debt
  Typical expenses and debt include: educational expenses, medical/dental expenses, debts for investments, unemployment, prolonged illness, past business debts, legal fees, nursing home/assisted living care, child support, costs for a child with special needs, and child care. 

  
  Filing Status
  Awards will not be considered unless complete financial information is received from both parents or guardians. If parents are separated, divorced or never married, both parents/guardians are required to complete the Flexible Tuition application. 

  
  Number of Private School or College Tuitions Currently Being Supported 
  A family’s Flexible Tuition amount takes into account takes into account the number of family members attending any tuition-charging elementary school, middle school, high school, or college.

• Will all students eligible for Flexible Tuition receive it?

  Unfortunately, no. Every year there are more qualified applicants for aid than available funds. There is a wait-pool in the event that funds become available.

• If we apply for Flexible Tuition, will it affect our child’s application for admission?

  The Admission Committee reviews and recommends for admission applicants without regard to their financial assistance status. Depending on the applicant pool in a given year, we may be unable to fund every admissible student who requests financial assistance. In those years, students who have applied for Flexible Tuition may have a more selective admission process.

• How is demonstrated need determined?

  Need is determined by the Sage Hill School financial assistance committee, which uses a third-party recommendation (Clarity), online application, and required supporting documents.

• Does Sage Hill School give athletic/academic/art scholarships?

  Flexible Tuition is a limited need-based, mission-driven program. Athletic, academic, or fine arts scholarships are not available.

• What if parents are separated or divorced?

  We take into account that both parents have a financial obligation to contribute to their children's educational expenses. We consider the assets and income of both natural parents. If either parent has remarried, we will consider the income of the step-parent as well. In view of this, both natural parents and their current spouses need to complete separate flexible tuition applications.

• What will the family's contribution to tuition be?

  There are many factors affecting Flexible Tuition awards. The most significant factors are family income and assets. However, other considerations include mortgages, debt, number of siblings, siblings in the School, and special circumstances.

• Is preference given to any particular group?

  While currently enrolled Sage Hill students receive priority, no other outside factor affects the Flexible Tuition amount. However, any Flexible Tuition application completed after our deadline of January 31 will automatically be placed in the Flexible Tuition wait-pool.

• I’m a stay-at-home parent and do not work outside the home. Will my family still be considered for Flexible Tuition?

  In order for the School to treat families with stay-at-home parents equitably compared to families in which all parents work outside the home, Sage Hill typically attributes a small income for stay-at-home parents to the Flexible Tuition calculations. Exceptions to this policy may occur if a parent is caring for a child not yet of school age, a child with a disability, a seriously ill child, parent, or grandparent or if a parent is disabled and cannot work. Please inform the Flexible Tuition Committee in writing of these circumstances at the time of your initial application by disclosing your situation.

• Will my child's Flexible Tuition award change from year to year?

  Families must reapply for Flexible Tuition each year. Awards are given for one academic year at a time. A family whose financial situation remains relatively unchanged can generally expect the same percentage of their tuition to be covered by Flexible Tuition from year-to-year. If there is a significant increase in family need, Sage Hill School will seek to accommodate that need. Likewise, if there is a significant change in family’s demonstrated need, the appropriate adjustment will be made to the financial assistance recipient to reflect the family’s increased ability to contribute to their student’s educational expenses.

• If I still have questions about Flexible Tuition, who should I contact?

  Please contact Leyla Hanjan at hanjanl@sagehillschool.org or (949) 219-1330. We are happy to help with the Flexible Tuition process.