Cheshire Academy

Affording a Cheshire Academy Education

At Cheshire Academy, we fully understand and appreciate the financial commitment families make in deciding to provide their children with an independent school education. The goal of our financial aid program is to provide access to those who qualify for need-based financial aid and may not be able to otherwise afford to attend. (Merit scholarships are also available to eligible students.)

Need-based financial aid is determined by School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and by Cheshire Academy’s Financial Aid Committee. We awarded $4.5 million in financial aid for the next school year, with an average award of approximately $24,500.

The Admission Committee, comprised of Admission Officers and faculty, first makes a decision on whether or not a student is admissible based on their admission application. The Financial Aid Committee is then responsible for financial aid decisions for accepted students and allocates awards based on a family’s demonstrated need. Please know that Cheshire Academy is not able to provide aid to all qualified applicants, and, unfortunately, some may be placed on a waitlist or even denied financial aid.

Cheshire Academy works with School and Student Services (SSS) for Financial Aid. SSS uses a formula to compute a family’s estimated contribution to an independent school education. The Office of Financial Aid at Cheshire Academy considers the SSS recommendation and then conducts a more in-depth evaluation that includes a review of last two year tax returns. While we ask families to estimate the tax information in the financial aid application process, awards are not final until the federal tax return is submitted to SSS.

Recognizing that the economic impact and setbacks of the pandemic are significant and have touched the lives of most everyone, Cheshire Academy will keep next year’s tuition at the current level. Also, the school has not cut the need-based financial aid budget and CA’s ability to offer merit scholarships has been increased.

In addition to covering individual student expenses (such as the cost of books, clothing appropriate to the school’s dress code, and some athletic equipment), the following fees apply:

• General Fee: Covers costs associated with the school’s health center, music and art departments, laboratories, and a technology department to support network infrastructure, student email, and technology-based services. ($1,000 for next year.)
• International Fee: Helps to cover the cost of a full-time International Student Coordinator, an International Student orientation program, and programs and events for international students throughout the year. In addition, this fee includes SEVIS management which supports students with the issuance and maintenance of I-20 forms as well as maintaining their F-1 visa status while a student at Cheshire Academy. ($4,000 for next year.)
• Tuition Refund Insurance: Required for all families when tuition is not paid in full upon enrolling. (More about Dewar’s tuition refund insurance, offered at over 1,300 independent schools and colleges, can be found on the Dewar website, and in the Tuition Refund Plan.)

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Step 1 - Submit Your PFS

• Please go to sssbynais.force.com/familyportal to submit your Parent Financial Statement (PFS) Online. Cheshire Academy’s school code is 2362. The deadline for submission of your PFS is February 1, or as soon as possible thereafter for rolling admissions.
• Please download the Family Guide to Financial Aid, Applying for Financial Aid flyer and PFS Workbook and Instruction Booklet under Financial Aid Documents for more information.
• You can call SSS Customer Service with any questions about submitting your PFS – 800-344-8328 (M-F: 9AM – 8PM EST; Sat: 9AM – 4PM EST).

Step 2 - Upload Required Documents

Please upload all required documents to your SSS account. If you are not able to upload, you may mail required documents to SSS and refer to the PFS Instructions for SSS mailing addresses. Please do not send required documents to Cheshire Academy.

By February 1 (or as soon as possible thereafter for rolling admissions), upload:

• W2’s and/or 1099’s
• Last two years tax returns with all schedules
• Last two years schedule K-1, if you are a shareholder in an S-Corp or partnership
• Verification of tuition costs for all other children in tuition-charging schools (a tuition bill, enrollment contract or 1098-T form as issued by many colleges) – Please upload under the My Document Tab in the “Additional Documents” section.

By April 15 (or as soon as possible thereafter for rolling admissions), upload:

• Last year tax returns with all schedules
• Last year schedule K-1, if you are a shareholder in an S-Corp or a partner in a partnership