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Understanding Financial Aid

One of the major issues most families consider when thinking of sending their child to boarding school is the cost.

• Though it may seem daunting, the boarding school financial aid process isn’t as complex as you might think.
• Understanding the system will pay off in the long term.

Recently, boarding schools began reshaping their financial aid policies to allow more talented, middle-class students to attend their schools.

• Today, a large percentage of students at boarding schools receive some form of financial aid from grants; in some cases, that number is as high as 40%.
• Each school’s aid policy is different, and officers are your best bet for accurate information.
• Contacting them will give you a better understanding of the steps you will need to take, but below are some basic tips that will apply to all schools.

What is financial aid?

Financial aid is funding intended to help students cover the cost of attending private schools (tuition, board, fees, etc.).

• Aid does not have to be repaid, unlike loans.
• Generally, a school's endowment correlates directly with the amount of financial aid that can be offered.
• Each year, a percentage of the budget is set aside for financial aid.
• Thus, it’s very easy for a boarding school to run out of financial aid.

Tip: sending in all the required documents as soon as possible increases your student's chances

With over 250 schools in the United States, American boarding schools appeal to international families for a variety of reasons. According to , international students make up about 15% of the population of their member schools. We look at some of the reasons why an American boarding school is a popular option with international students around the world.

A world-class education

Almost all American boarding schools offer rigorous academics combined with compulsory athletics and a wide variety of extracurricular activities. Even more important to a parent who will probably remain at home while her child goes off to school in the United States is that boarding schools take the safety and well-being of your child very seriously. While your child is at school, 24/7 supervision is what you can expect to find at a boarding school in the United States. During vacations, the school will help you find a host for your child instead of flying him back home if that is not possible.

The academic programs at boarding schools exceed any federal, state, and local requirements. College preparatory schools usually offer courses or the curriculum. Standards are high. The other advantage of an American boarding school is the small class size. Typically, the teacher-to-student ratio is 1:15 or even less.

What is an international student?

An international student is a student who holds a foreign or non-U.S. passport. He or she is

The staff wrote this article on .

Arts programs are an especially appealing aspect of selecting a U.S. boarding school. You may be narrowing your search to U.S. programs because contemporary and traditional art forms flourish in this country, and many of our boarding schools excel in arts instruction and practice.

To be sure, arts programs vary widely. Some programs specialize in visual art (drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, and computer graphics), theatre (acting and theatre design), dance (ballet, jazz, or modern), creative writing, music (vocal or instrumental), or filmmaking. Other schools offer relatively little instruction in the arts and specialize more in outdoor activities, military training, etc.

When choosing a boarding school in the U.S.A., it is important to match your interests and goals, which may change over time, with the school's strengths.

Research each school's offerings to see if the arts are part of your interests and passions. Spend time reading the school's literature and visiting its website. Be sure to look for the qualifications of the teachers, who may themselves be artists, and the range and level of available courses. Examine the facilities available—the theater, studios, and practice rooms. If possible, visit the school yourself.

You should evaluate whether the arts are your priority. Arts courses may be just a part of the well-rounded education that you wish to enjoy. If you want to concentrate on your