About Financial Aid
At Free Union Country School, we value socioeconomic diversity and are committed to providing an enriching educational experience for all children who would benefit from our programs, regardless of means. As we strive to support and include families from many backgrounds and circumstances, we also recognize that paying independent school tuition is a significant monetary commitment.
The Financial Aid program at Free Union provides assistance to families who require some help in order to enroll their child. A family's need in this case is the difference between what it costs to attend (the tuition) and a family’s ability to pay the tuition, as demonstrated in the Financial Aid Application. At Free Union, we believe that the primary responsibility for financing a student’s private school education falls on the family. Because of this, we anticipate that families will reach out to all possible outside sources including extended family before applying for Financial Aid.
Financial Aid is funded from Free Union Country School's annual operating budget, the School's endowment, and from money generously donated by families and friends to the Free Union Fund. Financial Aid is not a loan but a grant awarded to a family and reassessed annually. It is not an automatic, recurring award. Families receiving Financial Aid are responsible for contributing a specific amount towards their child’s education.
Based on documents submitted through FACTS, the School receives a recommendation for a family’s award. Free Union will assess each family’s need relative to the funds available. The School makes every effort to meet the demonstrated needs of those who apply but cannot guarantee specific awards. Priority for the award of financial aid is given to eligible families with students in the elementary grades.
Do we qualify for Financial Aid?
Free Union Country School offers Financial Aid to families with a wide range of financial situations. Most families adjust spending priorities, maximize family earnings, and carefully manage assets in order to pay tuition. Any family is eligible to apply for Financial Aid. The Financial Aid committee’s awards are based on a variety of factors including income, assets, family size, and the number of children attending institutions charging tuition. The School seriously considers each family’s circumstance when deciding Financial Aid awards, and assumes each family has provided an honest assessment of its ability to pay tuition.
How do we apply?
We use FACTS, a nationwide service to schools for receiving tuition payments and evaluating Financial Aid requests. For information about applying for Financial Aid, please contact Camilla Tolton in our Business Office (434-978-1700 or ).
Clicking the following link will take you to the FACTS online application for Financial Aid:
https://online.factsmgt.com/aid
FACTS provides an online process that can be initiated by the family and a helpline to assist applicants with questions. A fee of $40 must accompany each family’s application(s) as well as copies of all 1099s, W2s, and Federal 1040 tax information for the most recent calendar year. Waivers are available upon request in cases where the fees present a hardship to the family.
All Families Please Note
Applicants can be assured that Financial Aid applications and supporting documents are strictly confidential and will only be reviewed by members of the Financial Aid Committee. The School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, gender identity, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or national or ethnic origin
If you have any questions about the Financial Aid procedure, application, deadlines, or awards, please feel free to email Camilla Tolton, Director of Business and Operations, at .
Dates and Deadlines
December 1, 2022
Financial Aid applications for the 23-34 School Year are accepted through FACTS online system. Returning and new families can begin applying for aid for '23-24.
Notes:
‘21 tax documents can be submitted; ‘22 tax documents will be required by May 1
‘22 W2s will be required for application review
Early - Mid January
Tuition for '23-'24 is announced.
Preschool enrollment offers are extended on a rolling basis.
February 6, 2023
Deadline for returning and new family Financial Aid applications.
Notes:
‘21 tax documents are permissible; however, official award confirmed in May upon submission of ‘22 tax documents
Mid February - March 1, 2023
Re-enrollment agreements and Financial Aid awards begin for current elementary grade students.
Offers of enrollment and Financial Aid awards for new students begin.
March 1, 2023
Re-enrollment agreements and Financial Aid awards begin for current students.
Offers of enrollment for new students begin and applications for Financial Aid for new students are accepted on a rolling basis.
March 15, 2023
Deadline for re-enrollment agreements and Financial Aid award acceptances.
March 15 -- April 15, 2023
New enrollment and Financial Aid offers are accepted on a rolling basis until enrollment is full.
May 1, 2023
‘22 tax documents are due for confirmation of Financial Aid awards.
May 15, 2023
Financial Aid award adjustments are based on submission of ‘22 tax documents.
