Palm Beach Day Academy

Affording PBDA

Palm Beach Day Academy makes all admissions decisions without regard to financial status. The school recognizes that many students interested in attending may not be able to afford the full cost of a PBDA education. The school's financial aid program helps the candidates suited for admission to gain access to PBDA regardless of their families' financial circumstances. We hope that the cost of an independent school education will not deter a family from considering PBDA for their children. To assist families in meeting the cost of a PBDA education, we offer need-based financial aid, and payment plans.

Financial Aid Information for Families

Need-Based Aid

The goal of the need-based financial aid program is to make certain that the students offered spaces by the Admissions Committee are able to attend Palm Beach Day Academy.

Need-based financial aid bridges the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition. Financial assistance is determined through the analysis of a family's financial resources, including income and assets. To determine awards, PBDA subscribes to the principles and needs analysis of the School and Student Service for financial Aid (SSS). The Financial Aid program is provided for students in Kindergarten through eighth grade.

To request financial aid, a family must complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) with SSS by February 5. You may request a copy of this form directly from the Admissions Offices. A Report of Family Contribution (RFC) will be mailed to our office by SSS after the PFS is processed in Princeton, N.J. Families may complete the PFS online at http://sss.nais.org/.

Need-Based Aid Application Procedures:

Request the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) form from the Admissions Offices after December 4. Students currently receiving financial aid will automatically be mailed an application.

Complete the Parent's Financial Statement (PFS) and mail the original directly to Princeton, N.J. by February 5.

Additionally, the most recent United States IRS 1040 tax form and all schedules must be submitted directly to the Admission office

In determining need, the guidelines of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) are used. Each award is individualized based on the financial assessment of each applicant and known circumstances specific to the applicant. Complexities and unusual circumstances of each family situation are acknowledged and considered in a final decision. Awards are considered completely confidential. It is important to note that PBDA may not be able to accommodate all financial aid applications in a given year. Applications received by SSS by February 5 will receive first priority relative to aid dollars available.

Families must reapply for financial assistance for each year the student is enrolled. If the family does not receive financial aid one year, they may apply for aid in subsequent years. If the family's financial circumstances remain the same, the school will make every effort to assist a family at the same level of aid with adjustments made to offset any increase in tuition. For families reapplying, a financial aid award is subject to successful completion of the school year for both conduct and academics and the family's continued support of the mission of PBDA. Financial aid awards cannot be made unless the family's account in the Business Office is up to date for the current school year.

Grants are need-based only and are determined based on the recommendation of PBDA and the School and Student Service for Financial Aid. Children currently receive grants ranging from approximately 10% to 90% of full tuition, depending on the demonstrated disposable family income.

The financial aid budget comes from private donations, foundations and grants, with the majority from the Annual Fund and from the operational budget. In this way, each PBDA family makes a commitment to the importance of economic diversity within the school community.