Groves Tuition Assistance and Affordability Family Guidebook
Tuition Assistance and Affordability Family Guidebook
Groves Learning Organization
Mission and Purpose
Our mission at Groves Academy is to build confidence, success, and purpose through transformative learning experiences. We believe that the community is stronger when it is comprised of students from varying socioeconomic backgrounds who benefit from and contribute to the Academy experience. To fulfill this commitment, we maintain a strong and robust Tuition Assistance and Affordability Program that seeks to ensure that a Groves Academy education is accessible to qualified students regardless of their economic circumstances and that families can explore various pathways to affording Groves.
Application Process
Our tuition assistance award packages are grants, which do not need to be repaid. The packages are determined based only on a family’s demonstrated need and not upon merit. Tuition assistance applications are done through a third-party service provider to support the application and eligibility process. Applying for tuition assistance does not guarantee funds will be awarded.
Timeline
New Enrollee Families: You will be invited to apply for tuition assistance after the admissions committee has reviewed your completed application and associated documentation and determined that the applicant is going to be offered a visit day. At this time you can begin your tuition assistance application.
Application Step-by-Step
1. Set up a call with an Admissions team member.
2. Apply to Groves Academy and submit associated documentation.
3. Student Visit Day. After initial review, applicants who meet the initial criteria will be invited for a full-day visit.
4. Apply for tuition assistance. We encourage families to begin their application for tuition assistance upon an invitation to a visit day.
Re-Enrolling Families: Families are required to re-apply for tuition assistance each year they are enrolled. Families will receive information about re-enrollment timelines and the annual application for tuition assistance during the first semester.
Deadlines and Awards
Our Admissions, Enrollment, and Tuition Assistance applications and awards are processed on a rolling basis. Awards are made until all funds have been exhausted.
If your tuition assistance application has been completed prior to the offer of enrollment then the decision on a tuition assistance award will be communicated to you upon acceptance to Groves Academy. If you do not sign your enrollment agreement by the outlined deadline, we will assume that you do not intend to enroll and the tuition assistance funds will be released and awarded to another family.
If your application has not been completed before an offer of enrollment then there will be a delay in the decision for possible tuition assistance. This could shorten the time you have to make an enrollment decision before your agreement's due date.
Special Circumstances
Divorced or Separated Parents
You must live in different households to apply separately and cannot apply separately if both parents live in the same household. Each application will go through the full process and is eligible to enter the appeals process.
Appeals process
We understand that sometimes the initial award does not always match a family’s true ability to pay. In these situations, families can make an appeal. An appeal can be made in the following ways:
1. Submit a letter of appeal directly to the Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators. Your letter of appeal should outline your financial circumstances that you were not able to include as part of your application. Please include a monthly budget and an outline of the specific tuition assistance needed for your family. You can submit a letter of appeal after you have received notification of your initial award decision.
2. If you are looking to appeal because the information you provided in your original application has changed, you will be asked to update your application and potentially receive further funds without writing a letter. An example of this would be a loss of income or employment.
You can appeal more than once as long as your circumstances from your previous appeal have changed. Each appeal will be given full consideration by the Tuition Assistance Committee as long as funds are available to award. Decisions at the end of the appeal process for the circumstances in that specific appeal are final.
Additional Financing Options
Tax Deductions
While we cannot provide tax advice, there are certain federal tax deductions that could make a difference in your tuition cost. Please begin by consulting with your tax advisor or accountant to understand the potential impact on your family and the most effective way to file.
529 Savings Plan
Federal and state tax law now allows the use of up to $10,000 per year tax-free from 529 college savings plans for the payment of tuition to private K-12 schools. Details about the Minnesota plan are still coming but will be posted at www.mnsaves.org. Contact your accountant or tax advisor for more info .
Alternative Payment Plans and Educational Loans
Groves does not administer a loan program but some families choose to apply for an educational loan to repay over the course of several years. An option available to explore is Your Tuition Solution (www.yourtuitionsolution.com)
Groves offers three tuition payment options for families. Families can choose to make one tuition payment in full at the beginning of the school year or split tuition evenly between two payments or ten monthly payments. If a student enrolls on or after October 1st, tuition will be prorated. A prorated schedule will be shared at the time of enrollment. There are fees associated with the number of payment installments and payment type that you choose.
Funding Sources & Budgetary Decisions
The Groves Advancement Department raises funds on an annual basis to support the Tuition Assistance fund. Funding sources may include individual donors, organizations, or specific grants. The total amount of aid awarded and the average award each school year is available on our website.
Tuition Assistance Committee
The Tuition Assistance Committee is comprised of the Head of School, the Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators, and the Director of Admissions. Under the auspice of the President, the Committee has the authority to exercise flexibility in all admission and tuition assistance decisions
General Policies
Change of employment
In the case of a change of finances due to illness, job loss, or other factors, you will have an opportunity to update your tuition assistance application and we ask that you notify the Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators in writing to initiate the process.
If you did not initially apply for tuition assistance prior to your change of employment you will be able to start an application.
International students
All families residing in or moving to the United States have the opportunity to apply for tuition assistance
Current families new to Tuition Assistance
All families enrolled at Groves Academy will receive the opportunity to apply for tuition assistance during the re-enrollment season whether they are currently receiving assistance or not .
Support of other family members
We understand that there are cases in which another family member may be a contributing payer for a student’s Groves Academy education. The party that signs the enrollment agreement is financially accountable and responsible for ensuring payments are made. Any additional payers may send payment to the Groves Academy business office on behalf of the enrolled student
Faculty Remission
Groves Academy does not offer a faculty remission program for tuition fees at this time.
An employee who has a student attending Groves Academy may apply for tuition assistance and be considered according to the policies and procedures outlined in this handbook.
Supplemental Costs
We understand that the tuition fee does not include all the costs you may incur at Groves Academy. Below is an outline of some of the additional costs you may incur. Our committee's stance is that tuition assistance for these costs may be considered if a family submits an appeal letter and outlines the specific budgetary need. Some of these costs are required and some are optional offerings. We have instituted policies for some of the offerings below to provide access to as many families as possible.
Technology Fee
There is a required technology fee for all enrolled students.
After School Programming, Athletics, & Theater
Students who are enrolled in aftercare will incur an additional daily cost.
There are additional after-school activities including athletics and theater available to students and the fees vary for participation and are outlined at the start of each year in the After School Activities (ASA) Guide.
Trips and Travel
Field trips and travel opportunities may have fees associated. Some field trips are a required part of the educational program while others may be optional. Families are encouraged to submit to the Head of School a request for tuition assistance for field trips and travel.
Groves Learning Center Services
Tutoring
While tutoring during the school year or summer is not required for students at Groves Academy, some families may choose to continue their Groves Academy education with tutoring at some point during the calendar year. Families incur tutoring fees to participate. While there is no tuition assistance available for tutoring, families who require financial support are encouraged to reach out to the Director of Learning Center Operations at learningcenter@groveslearning.org to discuss opportunities for payment plans.
Summer Programs
Many Groves Academy students choose to enroll in Groves Summer Programs to continue their learning over the summer months. Students who have enrolled and have a confirmed tuition assistance package for the upcoming school year at Groves Academy will automatically have that same package percentage applied to their Summer Programs tuition.
Diagnostic Testing
All students receive support from the Diagnostic Department for ongoing evaluation and consultation. The Diagnostic Department is comprised of Licensed Psychologists, a dedicated School Psychologist for Groves Academy students, Psychometrists, and psychologists-intraining.
New Enrollees to Groves Academy
Newly enrolled student files will be reviewed upon enrollment. New students will be contacted for an initial screening with our Diagnostic team at the time of enrollment. This testing does not require additional fees.
All Students
All students complete an updated comprehensive psychoeducational evaluation that is tailored to each student’s needs every 3 years. If a student transitions from Groves Academy before the 3-year evaluation, the Transitions Advocate will collaborate with the Diagnostic Department to determine if evaluation before the 3-year mark is appropriate. This ongoing testing does not require additional fees
Speech-Language
Students who demonstrate a need have the opportunity to receive support from the SpeechLanguage Department for evaluation, consultation, and/or ongoing individualized therapy.
New Enrollees to Groves Academy
New student files will be reviewed upon enrollment. If the speech-language team deems that a student would benefit from an evaluation or therapy, the department will reach out to the family to discuss the recommendation and next steps.
All Students
Students with a demonstrated need have the opportunity to participate in speech-language therapy at any time while enrolled at Groves Academy. If a faculty member makes a referral for speech-language therapy, the student’s family will be notified and given the opportunity to have their student complete a speech-language evaluation at no charge. From there, recommendations will be made for therapy services as appropriate. Families are also encouraged to reach out to the speech-language department at any time to explore evaluation and services
Students enrolled in speech-language services typically receive 1 hour of individualized therapy per week. This can be done in 1 session or 2 30-minute sessions. The provider will make a recommendation on the best schedule for each student.
Alumni students may continue their speech-language services after they graduate or transition from Groves Academy. The first year after a student transition, they can participate in speech-language therapy for one school year (September - May) at the Groves Academy student rate
The annual speech-language fee can be applied to the payment plan you have set up with the business office for your Groves Academy tuition or can be paid in full as a separate payment.
Families receiving tuition assistance will receive a 30% decrease in the speech-language fee
There may be additional tuition assistance funds available. The speech-language department works alongside the tuition assistance committee to review awarded packages and associated appeal letters and may award additional dollars to support participation in speech-language services based on the details of the application, awarded package, and appeal letter. These funds are on a first-come, first-served basis and, if awarded, will be communicated to you by speech-language department leadership.
Transportation
Groves Academy does not offer a transportation program. The main office can support setting up carpool options for interested families. Groves Academy shares a bus with the Breck School for an annual fee. To learn more about the Breck School bus shared bus option please contact the Director of Transportation at Breck. If you need support with payment for transportation to and from Groves Academy, please outline that in your appeal letter.
Lunch Program
Groves Academy offers a daily lunch program. Families may select the days their child would like school lunch. Families in need of financial support for the lunch program may include that request in their appeal letter or in writing to the Head of School.
FAQ & Quick Guides
For quick references to frequently asked questions, overall information on affording Groves Academy, and guides for applying, please reach out to Groves Academy Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators for handouts and pamphlets.
