Financial Aid FAQs

Families have nothing to lose but the time it takes to complete the online application and the nominal application fee required by TADS, so unless you are reasonably sure you will not qualify, you are welcome to apply. If you are unsure about whether to apply, please contact the Admissions Office for further information.

Dawson School subscribes to the National Association of Independent School’s Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid. The underlying assumption is that parents have an obligation to finance their children’s education to the extent that they are able. Several factors, including family income, assets, liabilities, the size of the family, the age of the parents, provisions for retirement, and extraordinary expenses must be considered when evaluating the family’s financial strength and the ability to contribute to educational expenses. While qualification for financial aid is based on all of the factors described above, the most important component of the needs analysis system is family income. The system seeks to treat all families equitably, taking into consideration differences in certain family circumstances that may be beyond its control. There is a distinction made between family expenditures that are made by choice and those of an obligatory nature.  TADS reports provide a point of departure for the Dawson Financial Aid Committee, which will make all decisions on financial aid amounts. TAD processes applications beginning in October and throughout the school year.  Please keep a copy of all forms in case of future need.

All awards will not be considered final until TADS receives a copy of the IRS Form 1040 (together with all schedules attached to the form), from the parents of the recipient. The Financial Aid Committee will review the tax information and has the right to make adjustments of awards after contacting the parents involved.
We strongly suggest that families submit their financial aid applications as early as possible, recognizing that funds are particularly limited after initial awards have been made.

No. Admission decisions are made without consideration of the financial circumstances of the applicant. After the Admission Committee has reached its decisions, the Financial Aid Committee makes grants to admitted students who have submitted financial aid applications and have demonstrated need. While Dawson tries to meet the demonstrated need of most newly admitted students, it is possible to be admitted to Dawson but denied financial aid. Such students are offered a place on the financial aid waiting list.

It is the position of the school that divorced or separated parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their children. Many divorce settlements stipulate the exact amount each parent must contribute toward educational costs, or which parent is responsible for costs and for how long. We consider such agreements but may also require each parent to contribute as much as our calculations show they can afford, regardless of the terms of a divorce settlement. In some instances this amount is less than the court’s decision; in others it is more.

The Financial Aid Committee will consider the resources of both natural parents, if living, before making an award. If either natural parent remarries, we will take into consideration the obligation of the parent to his or her new family. We will include in the calculations the resources of the step-parent, bearing in mind the obligation of the step parent to his or her natural children. Both natural parents must, therefore, provide the financial aid information by submitting a TADS application.