The overriding purpose of the Financial Aid program at Berkshire Country Day School is to ensure that qualified candidates have the opportunity to attend the school regardless of financial circumstances. BCD is actively committed to maintaining rigorous academic standards and to seeking a diverse student population. A major use of financial aid is to achieve these goals.

Financial Aid funds are limited and, as a result, families are asked to remember that while BCD is here to help you to the extent its funding allows, the school believes the responsibility for a child's education rests with the family. An independent school education is an investment in your child's future. You will undoubtedly have to make some sacrifices. There are options available at BCD to help you meet school expenses, such as a monthly payment plan (TuitionPay).

The following descriptive information is provided to help you with the financial aid application process.

Financial Aid
It is important to know that applying for financial aid has no bearing on admission to Berkshire Country Day School. No child will be denied admission because of financial need. The Admissions Office asks you to understand that you may not be offered a grant, regardless of your need, because the school's resources are limited, and must be allocated accordingly.

In common with most independent schools, BCD's Financial Aid Committee (comprised of members of BCD's Administration) determines a family's contribution using the standardized calculation derived by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). This system considers many items, including gross taxable income, assets, liabilities, and age of parents, family size and number of students in tuition-charging schools. After an allowance for basic necessities and taxes, the remaining funds are considered income available for education. BCD's policy and procedure requires additional information in the form of all tax forms and schedules. BCD's calculated parent contribution may differ from the SSS calculation. For example, BCD will disallow depreciation and most losses on second homes, investment properties and hobby businesses. BCD will also consider the potential for income to be earned by a non-working parent who does not have small children at home.

Although the PFS has a new layout and design, it collects the same information and is more user-friendly. By placing the application form adjacent to the instruction booklet, families will have an easier time using the booklet to help complete the application. An important addition to the application packet is the enclosure of a return-receipt postcard. By sending the completed postcard with the PFS, parents will receive confirmation that SSS has received their PFS.

Financial Aid Policies
Following are the policies governing the allocation of monies for financial assistance by the school's Financial Aid Committee:

• Only students in Kindergarten through grade nine are eligible for financial aid consideration.
• No application for financial aid will be considered until one's child is enrolled (or reenrolled for current students); in the event final enrollment of one's child does not occur, the tuition deposit will be returned (to financial aid applicants only).
• Financial aid awards are based upon a family's need as determined by the Financial Aid Committee.
• All applicants must complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) and file it, along with the appropriate fee, with SSS in Princeton, NJ, sending a copy to BCD's Financial Aid Committee.
• All applicants must file complete, signed copies of their IRS 1040 tax returns, W-2 forms, and any schedules, with BCD's Financial Aid Committee. This also applies to all tax forms filed for your children. Both parents must file the standard PFS with SSS in Princeton; there is no longer a separate form for divorced/separated parents. If either parent declines to submit the required information, no further consideration for aid will be given. If the custodial parent has remarried, BCD will consider the assets of a stepparent, bearing in mind the stepparent's obligation to his or her own natural children. Tax returns are required from all parents, including current spouses of each natural parent (stepparents of child). BCD will not be bound by any divorce agreement specifying a parent's responsibility for educational expenses. Likewise, the school cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for the student. The responsibility for all communications and payments ultimately lies with the custodial parent and/or signer of the enrollment agreement. In cases where one parent has had no contact with the student or the involvement of the non-custodial parent is not in the best interest of the student (situations involving abuse, etc.), the responsibility requirement will be waived upon receipt of acceptable documentation from a disinterested third party.
• If a family has children in other independent schools or colleges, they are expected to apply to those institutions for financial aid as well.
• Even if financial aid is awarded for a given year, each family must reapply every year. One's award may be adjusted if the family's financial circumstances change significantly. Parents are advised not to accept the financial aid award offered unless they are in a financial position to pay, when due, all balances of tuition, fees, and other charges not covered by the financial aid package, including books, class events, trips, bus fees, testing and tutoring if necessary, and other educational expenses.

Financial Aid Priorities

1. current students receiving aid from the oldest grade level down, with children of faculty, followed by children of alumni/ae, receiving priority (as long as all documentation has been filed)
2. current students newly applying for aid from the oldest grade level down, with children of faculty, followed by children of alumni/ae, receiving priority (as long as all documentation has been filed)
3. new students from the oldest grade level down, with children of faculty, followed by children of alumni/ae, receiving priority (as long as all documentation has been filed)

Timetable for Applying for Financial Aid

December
Parents' Financial Statement is mailed to parents of students currently receiving tuition assistance. If a family has not applied for financial aid in the past, one will need to secure the forms by contacting BCD's Financial Aid Committee.

February 1
The Parents' Financial Statement must be mailed to SSS in Princeton. If one's prior-year taxes are not yet complete, the applicant is asked to enter one's closest approximation from W-2s and 1099s. Send photocopy of completed PFS to BCD's Financial Aid Committee. BCD must also receive copies of all tax returns and schedules filed by every family member required to file.

February 15
Copies of all requested information must be on file at BCD.

April 1
Financial aid decisions are mailed to families only if all information is on file. Failure to submit information according to this schedule will cause a reduction in financial aid or disqualification.

April 30
Deadline for parental acceptance of the financial aid award offered on April 1.

May through October
Depending on available resources, additional financial aid decisions will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.