1. Financial Aid - Affording a BPC Education

  1. Black Pine Circle School’s Financial Aid Program offers need-based scholarships that cover tuition costs.  In addition to tuition assistance, school fees, such as extra curricular activities, music lessons, field trips, and extended day childcare will be subsidized at approximately the same level as the awarded scholarship.  Black Pine Circle utilizes a blind-admissions process, where admissions decisions remain discrete from financial assistance decisions.  All financial aid information provided during the admissions process is kept confidential.

  1. The Application Process & Deadlines

Step 1: Complete and mail the Parent Financial Statement (PFS)


  1. As with many other independent schools in the area, we belong to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS).  A form called the Parents’ Financial Aid Statement (PFS) must be completed and sent to SSS. The forms are normally made available in October.  You can also apply online at the National Association of Independent Schools website. You may use the PFS for more than one school; just remember to include BPC as a recipient of their report (BPC code 1710).

Step 2: Submit the following to Black Pine Circle (address below):

  1. 1.Black Pine Circle’s Application for Financial Aid form

  2. 2.Copy of SSS PFS application

  3. 3.Copy of your 2007 tax return with W-2s and

  4. schedules by January 16, 2009.

  5. 4. Copy of your 2008 tax return with W-2s and

  6. schedules by February 13, 2009.

  Questions? Please contact the Business Office at (510) 644-1023 x 13 or

  email:Ms. Vera Benes for all financial aid related questions.

Step 3: Mail Financial Aid materials to:

Black Pine Circle School

Attn: Scholarship Committee

2027 7th Street, Berkeley, CA 94710

Notification of financial aid for new students will be sent with

an enrollment contract on March 13, 2009.

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Contact: (click to email)

Faye Wu, Admissions Director

Via Phone: 510-644-1023 ex 14

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Financial Aid

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.


  1. ★Guardsmen Scholarship Fund

(415) 856-0939


  1. ★Independent Scholarship Fund

(510) 632-1366, x144


  1. ★The BASIC Fund

(415) 986-5650


Educational Loans

  1. Many local financial institutions and banks offer educational loans with various payment options that can help finance your child’s education.  These third party loans can help families manage tuition by spreading payments over a period of time.  KeyBank (800-KEY-LEND  www.key.com/achieveloan) is one possible source.  You can also visit the National Association of Independent School’s website for more information.   

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  1. Please note: If we do not receive your application materials by the deadlines below, we cannot guarantee that your application will be considered.

BPC Financial Aid Workshop:

  1. If you would like assistance in applying for financial aid, please plan to attend our Financial Aid Workshop  on Thursday, December 11, 2008  at 7:00 in the evening.