Financial Assistance

Step 1: Review Culver Academies financial aid documentation.

• Applying for Financial Aid at Culver Academies

Step 2: Complete the Parents Financial Statement (PFS).

• The PFS is the financial aid application.
• School and Students Services (SSS) processes the PFS, estimates the amount you can contribute to school expenses, and submits that estimate to Culver.
• You may complete the PFS online starting October 2, 2017. 

Step 3: Upload all required financial documents to your PFS online account.

• 2016 W2 and 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments*
• 2017 W2 and 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments* 
• Canadian Residents: upload your 2016 and 2017 T-4s when available.

While we aim to provide as much financial support as possible, the submission of a Financial Aid Application, or the demonstration of need, does not guarantee a financial aid award.

*You must upload all W2s and 1040s to your account to be considered for financial aid. 

• October 2: PFS available online through School and Student Services (SSS)
• January 15: Application deadline
• February-March: Financial Aid Committee reviews completed financial aid requests for all students
• Mid-March: Initial Financial Aid decisions mailed to families
• April-May: Financial aid waitlist 

• What determines eligibility for financial aid?
  The Culver Academies Financial Aid Committee offers aid based on family need and the availability of funds. Financial aid decisions are made after the student has been accepted to Culver Academies. All students are required to apply annually.

• Are International Students eligible for need-based financial aid?
  No, need-based financial aid is not available for Non­-Canadian International Students.

• Will a request for financial aid influence the admission decision?
  No, the Admission decision is independent of the Financial Aid decision.

• What do I need to submit to apply for financial aid?
  Parents must complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online at sss.nais.org after October 2, 2017. Approximately 24 hours after submission and payment of the PFS, you will have access to upload and manage the required documents.

• Which documents do I need to upload to SSS?

  • 2016 W2 and 2016 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments

  • 2017 W2 and 2017 1040 with all filed schedules and attachments, once available.

  Canadian Residents: Upload your 2016 and 2017 T4s when completed.

• What if I do not have my 2017 taxes prepared by January 15, 2018?
  Since most families will not have completed their 2016 Federal Income Tax returns prior to the January 15th Financial Aid deadline, we ask that you upload a copy to SSS once available. Culver reserves the right to adjust your financial aid award if there is a significant discrepancy between the two (2) years' tax returns. Additional financial information and records may be requested by Culver Academies. It is the parents' responsibility to provide adequate financial information in order for Culver Academies to make a decision concerning eligibility for tuition assistance.

• What happens if the parents are divorced or separated?
  Culver Academies considers the assets of both natural parents and/or step-parents before making an award and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. In this situation, the custodial parent fills out the PFS and submits it to SSS. Non-custodial parents and step-parents must also complete a PFS online. It is the custodial parent's responsibility to ensure that this procedure is completed.

• Does it influence Culver Academies’ Financial aid decision when other children in the family are attending tuition-charging schools?
  Yes, one of the factors that influence the decision is the family’s financial commitment to education.  Culver Academies takes into account the amount of discretionary income for education that can be divided among all children attending tuition-charging schools.

• Is there a minimum income a family must have in order to be considered for financial aid?
  No, net income is not the only factor used in making financial aid decisions.  Assets, debts, and number of dependents are among the various factors that Culver Academies considers, and these factors may have an influence on financial aid decisions.

• Once a PFS is submitted is a financial aid award guaranteed?
  No, the financial aid process is extremely competitive at Culver Academies.  Typically only 1 out of 4 new applicants receive financial aid.

• Is financial aid renewed each year automatically?
  No, Culver Academies asks families receiving financial aid to reapply each year. However, once financial aid has been awarded, it is reasonable to expect that it will be renewed each year, providing a family’s situation does not change substantially.  Changes in a family’s financial situation could result in an increase or decrease in financial aid, depending on individual circumstances.  Although Culver Academies makes every attempt to continue financial aid once it has begun, awards may be eliminated or adjusted if financial, academic, or behavioral factors warrant such action.

• Are the financial aid awards kept confidential?
  Yes. The Financial Aid Committee does not discuss financial information with anyone except those directly involved in the decision process.

• Is it possible, aside from financial aid at Culver Academies, to help families meet educational expenses?
  Yes, Culver Academies has a 10-month tuition payment plan available through Smart Tuition.

• Is there a repayment obligation involved when a family receives aid from Culver Academies?
  No, all awards are need-based grants or merit awards funded by the generosity of Culver Alumni and Friends of Culver Academies.

• What is the difference between a need-based award and a scholarship/merit-based award?
  Need-based awards are given to those who show a demonstrated family need through SSS.  Scholarship/Merit-based awards are given to those who demonstrate academic excellence through the application process and are usually selected by special Faculty Committees and the Financial Aid Committee.

• Are there different types of merit-based awards?
  Yes, we have five (5) full merit scholarship programs – Batten, Duchossois, Roberts, Huffington, and Jud Little.  There are also partial awards given to those students who exhibit academic distinction.  These awards are determined by the Financial Aid Committee and usually range from $200–$5000.