Children are accepted to REDS without regard for ability to pay tuition. While we understand that families have the primary responsibility to support their children’s education we strive to make the programs at REDS accessible to qualified applicants.

REDS purposefully offers need-based financial aid to attract a socio-economically, racially, ethnically, and religiously diverse community. Priority for financial assistance is reserved for current families and children of staff and faculty.

Applying for tuition assistance is on an annual basis, however, exceptions may be considered for families who have experienced a negative change in their financial position during the academic year.

Parents are required to apply for aid by submitting forms to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). These forms are available online at www.sssnais.org/parents or email sss@nais.org. The Financial Aid Committee will gather the necessary data to make a determination of the appropriate grant. Processing time by SSS may take as long as six weeks. The school code is 6033.

• Every application is considered individually and Financial Aid is awarded on a case-by-case basis each year.
• The Finance Committee of the Board works closely with the Head of School and the Business Manager to determine the appropriate level of funding for financial aid in the annual operating budget.
• The Financial Aid Committee consists of the Head of School, two Board Members (including a member of the Administration Committee) and the Business Manager.
• Determinations of financial aid grants to support continuing children and families take priority over the awarding of grants to new children.
• Information concerning the availability of financial aid grants and the process for applying for grants is published in the Parent Handbook, on the School website and as a part of every information packet distributed to families considering application to REDS.
• REDS does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid, athletic, and other school-administered programs.

Financial Aid Committee decisions are based on:

• Consideration of SSS recommendations in coordination with other factors.
• Family request: when a family requests a lower award than SSS recommends, REDS will honor the family request.
• If REDS has a reason to believe that some data on the application is not sufficient or credible:
  • REDS may request further clarifying information
  • REDS may postpone the decision, pending verification
  • REDS may deny or lower the amount of the award
  • History of family relationship to REDS: REDS may not follow SSS recommendations if:
    • The historical relationship has led the family to hold a reasonable expectation of support.
    • REDS staff and faculty members may receive a larger award than the SSS recommendation.
    • In addition to SSS recommendations based upon the previous tax year, REDS will consider significant changes in family circumstances such as loss of income, decline in value of assets, adjustments for cost of living and other family emergencies.
    • When a negative change occurs during the academic year a family may apply with SSS and forward a letter of explanation to the financial aid committee.
    • Families asking for aid based solely on potential negative financial circumstances will not be awarded a grant.

Schedule of Admissions and Financial Aid Decisions

Admissions	Returning Families	New Families
Contracts sent	February 3	February 26
Contracts received	February 13	March 6

 

Financial Aid	Returning Families	New Families
SSS Application Due	February 13	February 13
Award Letter/revised contract	February 26	February 26