Admissions
Payment Options and Financial Aid
FINANCING YOUR CHILD'S EDUCATION AT FOOTE:
Foote values diversity, seeking to include students of different races, religions, and economic backgrounds. We understand that an independent school education for your child requires a major financial commitment. It takes careful planning and considerable sacrifice for most families. To assist in the planning process, Foote offers a number of financing options as well as a program of need-based financial aid. Since most of the financial aid for a given grade is initially awarded in kindergarten, new financial aid for later grades is limited.• One payment plus a reservation deposit. Currently, this plan gives you
a small discount off the entire tuition. The $1,000 reservation deposit is
due March 1 (April 10 for new admissions) and the balance is due July 1.
• Two payments plus a deposit. The $1,000 reservation deposit is due March 1
(April 10 for new admissions) and the balance is due in two equal payments
on July 1 and December 1.
• Ten payments plus a deposit. 
The $1,000 reservation deposit is due directly to Foote by March 1 (April 10 for new admissions). Through FACTS Management Company, an external tuition management plan, the balance is due in 10 equal payments from May through February. Click here for the FACTS Web site.
Returning families should click here.
updated 7/9/10
To help bridge the gap between the cost of tuition and what a family can afford, Foote offers need-based financial aid.
FINANCIAL AID
In support of economic diversity, Foote has awarded more than $1.4 million for the current academic year in need-based aid to 21 percent of the student body. These grants range from $1,000 to nearly full tuition, with the median grant being about 77 percent of tuition. The school supports this program from current operating funds, from restricted endowment, and donations to the Annual Fund designated for financial aid.
Important Dates (for more detail see Financial Aid Timetable)
For families applying for financial aid, the enrollment contract and reservation deposit are due March 1 (April 10 for new admissions). The deposit will be refunded if a family chooses not to attend Foote after the financial aid decisions have been made.
To help assess the financial strength of each family, Foote uses the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Parents complete a Financial Statement, which SSS uses to determine an esimated amount a family can contribute to educational expenses.
For returning students, the Parents' Financial Statement should be completed by March 1 and the current tax forms sent to SSS by March 15.
For new students, please indicate you intend to apply for financial aid on your admission application. Instructions will be sent to you in January, and the Parents' Financial Statement should be completed and a copy of the current tax form sent to SSS by February 15.
SSS applies a uniform methodology that considers taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, family size, the number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges, and the student’s assets. After a standard allowance for basic necessities and required taxes, the remaining family resources are considered available for education on a sliding scale. SSS sends this information to Foote.
Financial Aid Committee
The four-person Financial Aid Committee (Head of School, Director of Admissions, Business Manager, and Director of Financial Aid) treats applications in the strictest confidence. This committee reviews the information from SSS in conjunction with the IRS tax forms and makes the final determination with regard to grants based on comparative need as well as demonstrated need. Financial aid offers will be made by March 10 for new students and by the end of April for returning students.
Financial aid grants are made for one academic year and awarded in subsequent years based on continued need; financial aid recipients must reapply each year. The size of the award may vary as a family’s financial circumstances and tuition change. A family’s current financial account with the school must be in good standing before a financial aid award can be made.
In case of separated or divorced parents, Foote requires information from both natural parents and any step-parents and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses.
Naturally, each family's situation is unique and may require further clarification and communication with the Financial Aid Office. Please do not hesitate to call and discuss your situation.
The financial aid committee welcomes any family’s inquiry about our offer of financial assistance. Although the school cannot meet every family’s request for assistance, each family’s situation is reviewed thoroughly and carefully.
The financial aid and business offices are eager to help and will keep all inquiries confidential. Should you have questions about financial aid or require assistance in completing the SSS form, please contact Donna Batsford, Director of Financial Aid. Should you have questions about payment plans, please contact Jay Cox, Business Manager.