Bement School

Information for 2008-2009 Financial Aid Applicants

Bement offers financial aid based on the demonstrated financial need of the family. Our school does not offer merit awards based on academic, athletic, or other talents demonstrated by the student. For the 2007-2008 school year Bement awarded $459,135 to 31% of the student body. For day students these awards ranged from $750 to $9,000. Boarding students received higher awards.

If you have questions regarding the application process or timetable, please call Ken Cuddeback in the Business Office or Jackie Thomas in the Admission Office. The Bement School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, age, or gender in its financial aid policies. We encourage you to review the Financial Aid Policy available on our website at www.bement.org/howtoapply.htm. Any questions in this regard should be directed to the head of school.

Application Process

• All applicants must complete the Parents' Financial statement (PFS) and send it to School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, NJ. Send a copy of this form to the Bement Business Office.

• All applicants must send copies of their 2007 IRS 1040 tax returns (including all schedules) and W-2 forms to the Bement Business Office. 2006 Returns can be sent if the 2007 Returns are not available. However, 2007 Tax Returns should then be forwarded as soon as they are completed. (We do not need a copy of your state tax return.)

• In cases of separation, divorce, or parents who have never been married, an additional form must be submitted. This form is to be completed by the non-custodial parent or the natural parent who did not complete the PFS. Send this form directly to the Bement Business Office, accompanied by copies of that parent's 2007 IRS 1040 tax return and W-2 form. Both parents are required to apply for financial aid. (See Financial Aid Policy at www.bement.org/financialaid.)

• In order to receive due consideration, it is important that you complete the financial aid process on time. Since the total demonstrated need of our applicants exceeds Bement's financial aid resources, our funds are usually depleted quickly. Knowing the total need of our school community by the time of the first financial aid committee meeting helps us distribute the awards in an equitable manner. No family receives 100% of demonstrated need. Historically our financial aid budget has allowed us to award between 60% and 70% of demonstrated need.

Timetable for 2008-2009 Financial Aid Applicants

December 2007
PFS forms are mailed to the parents of returning students and to the parents of applicants who have requested financial aid on their application. Applications are also available and/or can be completed and submitted online at https://sss.ets.org.

February 15, 2008
Deadline for re-enrollment reservation fee. As part of the re-enrollment process, parents of returning students provide the Business Office with the reservation fee and the letter of intent to file for financial aid.

By February 28, 2008
Mail the PFS to Princeton or submit the PFS online on or before this date; at this time of year SSS can take up to four weeks to process applications. If your 2007 taxes are not complete, do not wait. Make close approximations based on last year's IRS figures and your current W-2's. The 2007 IRS tax forms you send to Bement will be used to verify these figures.

Send a copy of your PFS form to Bement's Business Office.

Provide Bement's Business Office with copies of your 2007 IRS tax forms (including all schedules),
W-2's, and 1099's. Also provide our Business Office with Business/Farm statements for each business you own. No financial aid application will be considered without these documents.

Non-custodial parents should submit directly to Bement's Business Office their PFS form and their 2007 IRS 1040's, W-2’s, and all attached schedules.

March 1 First installment due to Key Bank for those choosing the 12-month tuition payment plan.

March 20 Deadline for receipt of new student enrollment reservation fee.

April 1 First installment due to Key Bank for those choosing the 11-month tuition payment plan.

April 2-15 Financial Aid Committee meetings. To be considered for financial aid, Bement must receive all forms, including the SSS report(s), at least one week prior to the committee meeting.

By April 20 Financial aid decisions will be mailed to families of returning students and newly admitted applicants.

April 30 Deadline for parental acceptance of financial aid award offer. To enroll the student, sign and return the enrollment agreement and the financial aid acceptance letter. Reservation fees were paid by returning students in February and by new students in March.

After April 30 Financial aid awards granted on a funds-available basis.

May 1 First installment due to Key Bank for those choosing the 10-month payment plan or 4 pay payment plan.
(For more information, please contact Ken Cuddeback in the Business Office.)