Financial Aid FAQ
What is financial aid?
Financial aid consists of funds given to families who demonstrate a financial need for assistance with tuition expenses at GPS. Funds are made available by hundreds of donors who are interested in making a GPS education available to outstanding girls who would otherwise be unable to afford such an opportunity. Awards are provided by GPS and do not have to be paid back.
Do independent schools get financial aid money from the government?
No. All financial aid for independent schools comes from the schools themselves. Schools usually use a combination of budgeted funds and money raised from donors.
How does the School and Student Service (SSS) program calculate my family's "expected contribution," or ability to pay?
To determine need, GPS uses the services of the SSS, located in Pittsburgh, PA. This service uses information provided by the family on a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS), which asks for income, expenses, assets, and liabilities. The family completes the PFS online, after which SSS computes an estimated need based on the information provided. The Report of Family Contribution is sent from Pittsburgh to GPS. The Financial Aid Committee at GPS uses this estimated need as a guideline in making awards.
Does GPS give athletic scholarships?
No. For one thing, we prefer to devote our financial aid dollars to families in need. For another, Tennessee’s high school athletic association does not allow pre-collegiate schools to give scholarships to athletes. The athletic associations — and the schools — want to avoid the impression that schools of any type can “buy” winning teams.
Are there any restrictions on financial aid students?
Each financial aid recipient is expected to maintain the highest academic standards for her, to conduct herself in a responsible and honorable manner, and to play an active role in the daily life of the school community. Failure to meet these expectations may result in review of financial assistance by the Financial Aid Committee midyear and/or at the end of the school year.
If my family turned in our financial aid application late, is there any chance more funds may be available later in the year?
In most cases, schools give out virtually all their financial aid funds in March and April. Very few schools have a rolling process for financial aid (as opposed to admission). That said, sometimes in June or July, a school may learn that students who were given financial aid are not enrolling after all, and extra dollars become available. It’s always worthwhile to call Mr. Andrew Phelps in the GPS Financial Aid Office, just in case.
"Almost 40% of the students at Girls Preparatory School receive need-based financial aid. Our school community is much the richer because of our commitment to providing these funds. It is truly gratifying to watch young women take full advantage of an opportunity they might not otherwise have had."
--- Randy Tucker, Headmaster
Girls Preparatory School admits students of any race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, or national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, financial aid program, or athletic and other school-administered activities.
