Financial Aid Process

Four Things You Need To Know about Financial Aid at GPS

1. Paying for schooling is primarily the family's responsibility.
2. GPS has resources to help many of the families who qualify for aid, and the staff is eager to help with the application process.  Even if the tuition seems beyond your means, you may well be able to afford GPS for your daughter.
3. If you follow carefully the aid application steps and deadlines, your family has a greater chance of receiving aid.
4. Qualifying for an amount of aid does not guarantee an award.  Donations to GPS fund financial aid;  therefore, our ability to offer aid is limited and varies from year to year.  The need for assistance always exceeds our resources.  Please take that into account and meet all deadlines.

The Application Process

1. Complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online. You can complete the application here anytime after November 1. The deadline for those wishing to be considered in the initial wave of awards is January 15. If divorced or separated, the non-custodial parent must also submit a PFS as well as the appropriate tax forms by the same deadlines.
2. The following documents should be sent directly to SSS:  a complete copy of your most recent Federal Tax Return (including W-2s) by January 15; a completed Business/Farm Statement (if applicable) along with complete business tax returns by January 15; and a complete copy of your new Federal Tax Return (including W-2s) by February 15. Submitting a cover sheet with your PFS ID# speeds up the document matching process and ensures that your documents are matched to your PFS.  Mail all copies to SSS by NAIS, P.O. Box 449, Randolph, MA  02368.  (NOTE:  GPS uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information you provide, SSS gives us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions.)  
3. Schedule and attend a meeting with Andrew Phelps, Director of Financial Aid, by January 31.  Call (423) 634-5440 to schedule this appointment.  There will be a one-hour financial aid workshop at 8:45 am on the morning of the Entrance Test, Saturday, December 11, 2010.
4. Acceptance packets will be mailed by the Admissions Office in early March.  Financial Aid Award letters for new students who have completed all aid paperwork will be mailed with the Admissions packet.  Please note that before an aid award can be extended, new students must apply for admission and be accepted.  Current students will receive award letters before re-enrollment contracts are due.
5. Your Financial Aid award will be final once you have completed each of the items above and returned to the school a signed Enrollment Contract and Financial Aid Agreement.