Sample Financial Aid Hardship Letter

1034 Linden Avenue
Oak Park, Illinois 60302-1351

(708) 383-6279
www.stgilesschool.org
March 13, 2016
Dear St. Giles School Families,
As we begin the latter half of another school year, as always we like to recognize that we have
much to celebrate and be proud of here at St. Giles School. Our 8 th graders are preparing to move
on to top area high schools and are they testing into numerous honors and advanced placement
classes. Last year’s graduates have achieved outstanding academic success and the majority has
reached honor roll status during their freshman year. This success reflects not only the academic
excellence for which our School is known, but also the equally important moral foundation and
faith development that are the hallmarks of our St. Giles program and which guide our students as
they journey into young adulthood.
As we do every year at this time, we are writing to provide you with information concerning tuition
and fees for the upcoming 2016-17 school year. The Board of Specified Jurisdiction (BSJ) has
recommended, and our administration has approved, a tuition increase of an average of 4% for
students in Kindergarten (Full Day) through 8th grade. Tuition will also increase by a base of 4% for
our Pre-school programs, with other modifications to ensure consistency among programs. These
increases are in line with the operating expense growth we have been experiencing, and are
specifically necessary to help cover salary increases for our teachers, sharply increasing healthcare
costs, and ever increasing maintenance and repair costs for our nearly 90 year old buildings and
facilities. Our tuition remains firmly in line with other area Catholic schools. No changes have been
made to family discounting. Per usual, these increases do not fully cover the full cost of educating
our students. The balance of our budget is supported by contributions from St. Giles Parish, as well
as fundraising events such as Lion’s Leap, the Annual Fund and our Black and Gold Pride Gala.
Mandatory fundraising requirements for Lion’s Leap remain the same as in the 2015-16 school
year.
Our new $100 registration fee (per family) will be applied to next year’s tuition if paid by the due
date. Other fees, including books and materials and technology, will remain the same as this year.
The wrap pack and other supplies fees have been eliminated.
Kids’ Klub charges have increased $1/hour, and Extended Day charges have increased $5/day.
The full Tuition and Fee Schedule is attached and will be posted on the School website. Financial
aid information will be available soon.
St. Giles School will continue to aim to provide an exemplary experience of faith and education
which we trust will be one of the greatest investments you have made in your child’s future.
Should you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Mrs. Zver, or one of the BSJ
members listed below.
Sincerely,
The St. Giles School Board of Specified Jurisdiction
Mike MacKinnon, Chair Julia Harmon-Bell

Annie Clements, Vice-Chair Tanya Castrogiovanni
Beth Fegan Tracy Wysockey
Kent Pflederer Rachel Rettberg
Janet Coffey Flavia Morrissey
Chris Verni
St. Giles School

Financial Aid Policy and Procedures
Adopted 2/1/2016
Objective
The St. Giles School Financial Aid program makes available financial aid to families who value a
Catholic education but have difficulty paying the full cost of tuition and fees. Tuition assistance is
available for families who qualify, and the level of assistance granted varies based on need.
Implementation of the policy is meant to be as fair and equitable as possible. This policy provides
that no complete tuition waivers will be granted. The program is overseen by the Pastor and
Principal, who rely on the BSJ in an advisory capacity only.
Eligibility
St. Giles School families in good financial standing (i.e., current on tuition and fees for current and
past school years, or granted a Pastor-approved hardship waiver of the tuition policy) are eligible
for consideration for financial aid. Fulfillment of the requirements of Contributing Parishioner
status (including registration with St. Giles Parish, active participation in Parish life, and monetary
contributions as set in the Contributing Parishioner program) is required as well. Financial aid
preference may be given to returning school families over families new to the School. Any recipient
of a hardship waiver from the Pastor and/or Principal must submit an application for financial aid.
Financial Aid Committee
Assessments and awards of financial aid will be made by the Financial Aid Committee, which will
assess need based on application materials and determine awards based on need and available
financial aid resources within the School budget.
The Committee will consist of the Pastor, the Principal (or school-employed designee of the
Principal), and three St. Giles parishioners selected by the Pastor in consultation with the Board of
Specified Jurisdiction. At least one Committee member, and no more than two, will be a member
of the School’s Finance Committee. Committee members will serve calendar year terms. There
will be no limitation on the number of terms served.
The Committee will follow procedures to maintain the confidentiality of all applicants and
information submitted in connection with any application. Non-staff Committee members will not
be provided family names.
How to Apply
Applicants must submit the following no later than March 28 before the school year for which aid is
requested.
1) A completed FACTS Financial Aid application. Access to applications is provided to School families
through their FACTs account. All accompanying documents (e.g. tax returns or other proof of
income as required by FACTS) must be submitted. FACTs will be used by the Financial Aid
Committee to help determine need.
Financial aid decisions and awards will be made no later than the May 1 prior to the academic year
for which aid is requested. There can be no guarantee of financial aid to any applicant.
Communication
The School will post a description of this policy on the School web site. The School will also include
on the website information on other potential third party aid sources.
Important Information for all Saint Giles School Families
Financial Aid Application
We are now accepting applications for the 2016-2017 school year. You can log on to your FACTS
account or click on this link: https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3G1MQ Your application must
be complete in full or will not be considered. The application deadline is March 28, 2016. All
families will be notified of award considerations on May 1, 2016.
How to Print Your Tax Education Expense Payment Summary
Tax Season is here and FACTS has everything you need to print out your educated expense
payment summary! If you do not know how to print out or download your educated tax expense
information
How to print your Tax Education Expense Payment Summary
Tax season is here and FACTS has everything you need to print out your educated expense
payment summary! If you do not know how to print out or download your educated tax expense
information, just follow the attached instructions.
How to set up your FACTS Automatic Tuition Payments

Beginning in the 2016-17 school year, all families will be required to set up an automatic payment
system within FACTS for tuition collection. If you set up your automatic payments now, the same
information will roll over to the next school year and you do not need to do anything to change it.
The deadline to convert your invoice to an automatic payment is May 31. Please consider
completing this process now. Instructions to convert your invoice payment to automatic payment
are attached.
All instructions and links can be found on the website under "Student Life/Forms"

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1034 Linden Avenue

Oak Park, Illinois 60302-1351

March 13, 2016

Dear St. Giles School Families,

The St. Giles School Board of Specified Jurisdiction

Mike MacKinnon, Chair Julia Harmon-Bell

St. Giles School

How to set up your FACTS Automatic Tuition Payments

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