Tuition & Financial Assistance

Keys School does offer financial assistance. It is funded through the general operating budget.

Part of the Keys' mission is to maintain a broad socio-economic diversity among its student population. The financial assistance program is one way we can ensure a diverse and stimulating student body. This aid is also designed to support families who may be going through temporary economic difficulties. Keys School wants to retain present families by offering assistance as financial needs change.

Any parent can apply for financial assistance, whether new to the school or a veteran at Keys. Parents may apply for assistance even if they have not applied before. Financial assistance is granted first to students whose families are currently receiving assistance, followed by current families applying for assistance for the first time, and lastly to new enrollees. Some parents assume that assistance is given only to those in the most dire circumstances. The grants are intended for anyone with a need, small or large, to the extent that Keys can meet the need.

The amount of assistance granted varies depending on financial circumstance. The amount given can be as little as a few hundred dollars to a major part of the school's annual tuition. The Keys system is based on financial need and the availability of funds within the budget.

Keys School uses the services of School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) program by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), an independent national organization. SSS receives the applicant's financial information and estimates the family's resources. SSS then independently evaluates a family's financial means to determine suggested financial assistance. The Keys Financial Assistance Committee uses this information and any other information from the family to help make a decision regarding assistance. To apply for assistance, go to School and Student Services by NAIS.

We ask that application for assistance be made by January 20, 2012 through SSS at sss.nais.org/parents. Application means completing the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online AND submitting electronic copies of your 2010 1040 return and all supporting documents directly to SSS by January 20, 2012. Your 2011 1040 return and all supporting documents need to be submitted by March 15, 2012. Please refer to the SSS website for a full listing of financial documents required by Keys School. The Financial Assistance Committee determines aid to coincide with reenrollment contracts mailing in February and new enrolee contract mailings in March. If you believe that assistance may be necessary, but you cannot meet the deadlines, please contact the Business Director, Steve Smith. Note that any financial assistance offer is contingent upon submission and verification of all financial documents. Late submission or lack of submission of required documents jeopardizes a financial assistance offer. Keys School reserves the right to rescind any financial assistance offer due to late submission, non-submission, and inconsistent or improprietary submissions of any and all required documents.

All financial assistance applications, including family financial information, are confidential. The names of people who receive assistance are also confidential. The Keys' Business Director and Head of School are the only individuals who have access to financial assistance information.

Please visit sss.nais.org/parents for a complete list of resources and to begin your financial aid application process. The Parents Financial Statement form (PFS) and Instruction Booklet can be found here.