Financial Assistance
The main goal of the Financial Assistance Program at Black Pine Circle is to provide tuition assistance for students and families who cannot otherwise afford a Black Pine Circle education. For the 2011-12 school year, our Financial Assistance Program awarded more than $550,000 to approximately 33% of our families. Scholarships are awarded to families from various income levels. In past years, awards ranged from 5% to 75% of tuition.
Black Pine Circle School’s Financial Assistance Program offers need-based scholarships that cover tuition costs. In addition to tuition assistance, field trips, extended daycare, and after-school classes and clubs, will be subsidized at approximately the same level as the awarded scholarship.
Our admissions decisions remain separate from financial assistance decisions. All financial assistance information provided during the admission process is confidential.
Application Requirements
Each year the Board of Directors determines the level of financial assistance funds available. Since there is a finite dollar amount of funds available, the application process is time-sensitive and materials must be received by the deadlines noted. If these deadlines are not met, we will be unable to consider your application. New applications must be re-submitted each year.
Application Process and Deadlines
1.Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS)
As with many other independent schools in the area, we utilize the service of the School and Student Services (SSS) by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). SSS by NAIS provides an objective and consistent method of determining a family’s ability to contribute to educational expenses. All families must complete the application form called the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You can apply online at the NAIS website. To request a printed PFS application form, please contact our Admissions Office. The PFS forms are normally available in November.
To be considered for financial assistance, you must file the PFS no later than January 13, 2012 (for currently enrolled Black Pine Circle students) or by January 30, 2012 (for new applicants). You may use the PFS for multiple schools; just remember to include Black Pine Circle School as a recipient of their report (Black Pine Circle School code is 1710).
2. Submit Black Pine Circle’s Financial Assistance Form of Intent
Please mail the form to Black Pine Circle School directly (Attn: Business Office, 2027 7th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710) no later than Friday, January 13, 2012 (for currently enrolled Black Pine Circle School students) or by Monday, January 30, 2012 (for new applicants). Download Form of Intent.
3. Submit all supporting financial assistance materials, including 2010 and 2011 tax returns with W-2s and schedules to SSS by NAIS no later than Friday, April 1, 2011.
School and Student Services’ mailing address:
SSS by NAIS
PO Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368
4. Notification of a financial assistance award for new students will be sent along with the enrollment agreement on March 11, 2011.
Questions? Please contact Bill Shea, Business Manager, at (510) 510-529-2713 or email bshea@blackpinecircle.org for all financial assistance related questions.
Black Pine Circle School’s Financial Assistance Workshop
To gain more information, attend the Black Pine Circle School’s Financial Assistance Workshop on Thursday, December 1, 2011, 7 pm in the library. This workshop will provide families with information on various resources and an overview of Black Pine Circle School’s financial assistance process.
Other Resources
There are several private organizations that award need-based scholarships to students entering private school whose families meet maximum income requirements. Contact each organization individually for more information.
The Guardsmen Scholarship Fund
(415) 856-0939
http://www.guardsmen.org/scholarship
The Independent Scholarship Fund
(510) 632-1366 x144
http://www.independent.org
The BASIC Fund
(415) 986-5650
http://www.basicfund.org