Westminster School

A Westminster education is a significant financial investment, but one that reaps immeasurable lifetime benefits. Westminster is committed to making it financially possible for each student who is admitted to live, study and succeed at one of the nation’s leading boarding schools. Thanks to the generosity of alumni, parents and friends, Westminster is able to provide financial aid to over one-third of enrolled students.

We encourage any family who feels they may need financial assistance to apply for financial aid. Intended as a supplement to family resources, financial aid awards are made not only to families whose ability to pay school costs is extremely limited, but also to those who may need only a minor subsidy to meet tuition requirements.

Westminster’s financial aid program is need-based and does not include merit, athletic or academic scholarships.

Tuition Fee

*For planning purposes, please note that additional incidental costs associated with academic and afternoon programs (including books, testing fees, and supplies) generally range from $800 — $1,200 per year. Other optional costs may include tuition insurance, laundry service, campus store charges, music lessons and academic tutoring. International students are also required to purchase health insurance in the amount of $1,880.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Westminster uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process our financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information families provide on the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), SSS will use a standard calculation to determine an estimated amount that families can contribute toward educational expenses. Westminster's Financial Aid team uses this estimation, in concert with supporting tax documentation, as a starting point for the determination of a fair and objective financial aid award.

Steps to Apply

• W2s/1099s if applicable
• federal tax returns with associated schedules
• W2/1099 if applicable
• federal tax returns with associated schedules
• If paying college tuition Westminster requires form 1098-T

Notes

Notification

• Indicate that you will be applying for Financial Aid on your application for admission
• Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) * online at www.sssbynais.org by January 15
• Upload required documents to SSS:
• Parents Divorced / Separated / Never Married: Please fill out a PFS for each parent and include all required documents.
• International Students: In addition to the online PFS, please complete the International Student Aid Profile and submit it via the SSS Family Portal, along with documentation to verify income.
• Special Circumstances: If you have special circumstances that you would like the Financial Aid Committee to consider, please add these at the end of your PFS. The PFS includes a section to provide “Other Information”.
• Applicants are notified of both admission and financial aid decisions on March 10.

Financial Aid Statistics

Financial Assistance Budget: $5,860,000

Average award: $42,486

Range of awards: $6,000 - Full Tuition

Recipients

• 136 Students
• 34% of student body

Important Dates*

• October 24 – School and Student Services portal opens.
• January 15 – Parent Financial Statement (PFS) due with and completed tax returns.
• March 10 – Admissions and Financial Aid Awards issued.
• April 10 – Candidate reply deadline.
• July 15 – Current year completed tax return and associated schedules due.

Davis International Scholars

For more information about the Davis Scholars program.

Payment Options

Westminster School offers two payment options. Both options require that 10% of the tuition amount is due with the submission of the Enrollment Contract and is nonrefundable. Families have the options below to pay the remaining 90% of tuition and fees due.

Option 1 - Westminster School Direct Payment Plan

*Incidental charges are due as incurred*

All payments are made directly to Westminster School. The enrollment deposit may be paid via the direct debit option available with the submission of the enrollment contract, check or wire transfer. All other payments for tuition, fees and incidental charges must be made via check or wire transfer.

Payments made by check should be mailed to:

Business Office

Westminster School

995 Hopmeadow Street

Simsbury, CT 06070

Wire instructions are available in your Parent Portal or please contact Denise Woodruff at [email protected] for instructions.

Option 2 - SMART Tuition Payment Plan

Westminster School has partnered with Smart Tuition for the current school year. Smart Tuition is not affiliated with Westminster School. The company offers a 9 month payment plan. There is no interest charge; however, a $50 application fee is required.

The 10% nonrefundable enrollment deposit is paid directly to Westminster School via the direct debit option available with the submission of the enrollment contract, check or wire transfer. The remaining 90% of tuition and fees due are divided into nine equal installments, beginning June 15th and ending February 15th. The monthly payments are made directly to Smart Tuition and statements are received directly from Smart Tuition. Incidental charges are due as incurred.

Choosing this option requires you to enroll with Smart Tuition and pay the enrollment deposit directly to Westminster School.

Tuition Insurance

You may opt to purchase the tuition insurance offered by the School. The premium rate is 1.9% of the annual tuition (excluding fees). If you opt NOT to participate in this plan, no refund or cancellation of tuition or fees will be granted for any reason. You will be billed for this premium in July.

Please read the following pamphlet for details and requirements of the Tuition Insurance/Refund Plan.

Health Insurance

Westminster School requires all students be insured under a United States-based health plan that covers injury and illness. International students need to enroll in the United HealthCare Health Plan offered through Westminster School. The cost of the 10-month plan is $1,880.

Westminster School reaffirms its long-standing nondiscriminatory policy and admits students of any race, religion, sexual orientation or national origin to all rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at Westminster. Westminster does not discriminate in its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship programs, or athletic and other school-administered programs.