|
Financial Aid
A Cushing Academy education is not only an investment in your child's future, but it is also a significant financial commitment. Cushing Academy understands this and is therefore committed to making its educational opportunities available to all students regardless of their families' financial resources. In the 2008–2009 academic year, ninety students received more than $1.9 million in financial aid grants. The financial aid pool is, however, very competitive and families requesting aid should begin the process as early as possible.
Steps to complete your Financial Aid Application
(To be completed prior to February 1, 2009)
-
Send the Preliminary Application for Financial Aid prior to February 1.
-
The Parents' Financial Statement to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) prior to February 1.
-
A photocopy of the Parents' Financial Statement to Cushing prior to February 1.
-
A photocopy of your signed 2008 Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040, all attachments and your W-2s) to Cushing by February 1. If not available, please submit estimated return prior to February 1.
-
A photocopy of your signed 2007 Federal Income Tax Return (Form 1040, all attachments and your W-2s) to Cushing prior to February 1.
-
The Business/Farm Statement, if applicable, to Cushing prior to February 1 in addition a 4506-T Federal Tax Form (signed)
All of the above information must be on file in our office at Cushing before a financial award is considered. The first financial aid awards will be made along with Admission Decisions starting March 10, 2009. All information related to the parent's financial position is treated as confidential. These forms will only be used for the arrival at a fair and reasonable determination of financial need.
How can I make Cushing an affordable option?
Who may apply for financial aid?
Should I apply for financial aid?
How is financial need determined?
How soon should I apply for financial aid?
Does applying for financial aid influence the admission decision?
Will my child's financial aid award vary from year to year?
What about divorced or separated parents?
How can I make Cushing an affordable option?
Tuition loan and payment programs assist many families in making tuition payments more affordable. For example, tuition funds may be provided upfront with payments spread over a longer period of time than tuition payment plans allow. The providers listed below have assisted Cushing families in managing their tuition obligations. Please click on their links for more information:
Back to top
Who may apply for financial aid?
Any United States Citizen or permanent resident holding a green card is eligible to apply for financial aid.
Back to top
Should I apply for financial aid?
The School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) provides a common base by which each family's needs can be measured fairly and equitably. If you believe that your resources are not sufficient to meet the total costs of a Cushing education, you are encouraged to apply for financial aid. It is important to note that the financial aid pool is extremely competitive each year and that we have many more applicants than we can provide assistance to.
For more information regarding financial aid, please contact SSS at:
School and Student Services for Financial Aid
PO Box 6657
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6657
609.771.7770
gnorth@ets.org
Back to top
How is financial need determined?
Cushing uses the general principles and the needs analysis system of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid. After receiving the Report of Parental Contribution from SSS and the parents' most recent Federal Income Tax Return, the Financial Aid Committee determines the family's demonstrated need. Although the analysis of a family's ability to pay is based largely on parent income, family assets, such as real estate equity and savings, are also taken into consideration.
Back to top
How soon should I apply for financial aid?
Families seeking admission should indicate on the application form that they wish to receive financial aid information. Parents can obtain the Preliminary Application online at http://www.cushing.org/admission/financial-aid.shtml. Cushing requests parents send their Parent's Financial Statement (PFS) to School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) as early as possible after January 1. Additionally, families should send a copy of the 1040, and all of their tax schedules directly to the Cushing. All financial aid requests must be received in the Admission Office prior to February 1.
Back to top
Does applying for financial aid influence the admission decision?
No. Admission decisions are made without the knowledge of financial aid requests. After the Admission Committee has reached its decision, the Financial Aid Committee receives applications of accepted students and awards grants where possible.
Back to top
Will my child's financial aid award vary from year to year?
Financial aid is awarded yearly. All grants are reviewed annually, and an application must be filed with SSS each year if continued aid is sought. Families not receiving aid in the first year should not expect to receive aid in subsequent years.
Back to top
What about divorced or separated parents?
The Financial Aid Committee considers the financial resources of both natural parents, and so in the case of divorced or separated parents, both the custodial and the non-custodial parents are required to complete financial aid applications.
Back to top
If you have any other questions, please contact the Admission Office at:
Cushing Academy Admission Office
39 School Street
P.O. Box 8000
Ashburnham, MA 01430-8000
Tel: 978.827.7300
Fax: 978.827.6253
admission@cushing.org
| 
