Doane Academy - Admissions

Financial Aid

Mission
The School and its Board of Trustees are committed to making an education at Doane Academy accessible to students from a range of socio-economic backgrounds. In 2009-2010 well over one quarter of Doane Academy's students were awarded financial aid, which is well above the national average of 19.7%. All awards are based on demonstrated need, and are revised on an annual basis. Families of students applying or returning at any grade are welcome to apply for financial aid.

Family Expectations
Unlike many independent schools, where financial aid is funded by large restricted endowments or significant operational surpluses, Doane Academy depends heavily on the annual support of our alumni and friends. As the school calls upon its extended family for aid, it is our expectation that families applying for financial aid will pursue assistance through their extended family or other scholarship funding (through employers, community organizations, etc) and make reasonable sacrifices to finance the education of their children.

Qualifications
In order to be considered for a financial aid grant, the family must fulfill all of the steps in the application process and the student needs to be accepted and/or have returned the signed enrollment contract and deposit for the upcoming year. The signed contract is voidable and the deposit is refundable if the family feels the award amount is insufficient. Note, the admission process and financial aid process are separate processes. A student's financial need situation has no bearing on his/her admission or re-enrollment at Doane Academy.

Applying for Financial Aid
Early submission the complete financial aid application merits early consideration in the distribution of limited financial aid funds.

Step 1: Request a Financial Aid Packet from the Dean of Admission or download the forms here.

Step 2: Notify the Admissions Office that you will be applying for Financial Aid by filling out and returning Doane Academy's Application for Financial Assistance

Step 3: Through the SSS, Complete the PFS online at http://sss.nais.org/ (remember to request that the report be sent to Doane Academy, code #6808).

Step 4: Submit copies of the following to the Admission Office:

Application for Financial Assistance

W-2 forms

1040 Federal Tax Form (including all schedules and if applicable Business/Farm Statement)

Please Note
Divided families (separated/divorced or parents who never married): When a family is divided, the financial capability of each natural parent is reviewed. If the custodial parent is remarried, the financial capability of the stepparent is also part of the determination. The SSS requires each natural parent and stepparent to submit the PFS form.

Need Determination
SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools that assists independent schools in making financial need determinations. Based on the financial information you provide on the Parent's Financial Statement (PFS), the SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. Because the SSS figure is only a recommendation and does not account for our school's budget, The Financial Aid Committee will review the recommended award and adjust it as necessary. Please note that Doane Academy is not in a position to meet the full monetary need recommended by SSS for every student.

Notification of Award
If Doane Academy is able to provide an award, an award notification letter and amended enrollment contract will be sent. Families who are offered and accept an award, must return the signed award letter and amended contract within two weeks of receiving the award. A family may request an appeal or review of the Financial Aid Committee's award decision. The appeal must be made in writing, and additional data may be requested from parents in support of the appeal.

Statement of Confidentiality
All information received is held in the strictest of confidence. Financial information is never shared with faculty members, donors, or among family members who maintain separate households. Also families are expected to keep the amount of their awards confidential.

Scholarships

Headmaster Scholar Grants (Deadline: January 1, 2010)
The Headmaster Scholar Grants are renewable merit based scholarships restricted to ninth grade students for the 2011-2012 school year. Both current Doane Academy eighth grade students and ninth grade applicants for the 2011-2012 school year are eligible. Current eighth graders, who will be returning as ninth graders for 2011-2012 school year, need only complete the Headmaster Scholar application. New applicants for the ninth grade must complete both the admission application requirements and the Headmaster Scholar application. Grants of $500 to $6,000 are awarded based on character and leadership potential as much as academic promise. Click here to download the Headmaster Scholar Grant Application.

Legacy Scholarship
The Legacy Scholarship was created to honor our graduates whose siblings or children have decided to carry on their family traditionat Doane. The scholarship is funded by the Society of Graduates, Doane’s alumni association. To be eligible, an applicant must be a new student and be the sibling or child of an alum. Funds are limited. Applicants who fulfill the above criteria and are first to be accepted and enroll will have priority. Contact the admission office for more information.

Faculty Scholarships
Funded by restricted faculty gifts and “Ride Onward”, Doane’s annual scholarship bike ride, these scholarships are reserved for returning students with demonstrated need, who have fully embraced the challenges and opportunities at Doane Academy. There is no formal application process for this scholarship. Recipients are selected each spring by a committee of faculty members.