ASH Family Individualized Tuition

An investment in her future.

Affording an ASH education and Family Individualized Tuition

FAMILY INDIVIDUALIZED TUITION For over 200 years, Sacred Heart education has been the leader in Catholic, single-gender education in Acadiana, and it has been our Mission to enrich the lives and hearts of students and empower them to share their Sacred Heart formation with the world around them.

Family Individualized Tuition (FIT) is designed to increase access to a high-quality Sacred Heart education for academically qualified students who can strengthen our community and advance the Mission of our school.

We understand that each family’s household needs are individualized, so it makes perfect sense that tuition is individualized based upon need and ability, too.

Choosing the perfect fit for your child’s education is a very personal decision and we understand that many factors, including tuition, contribute to your final decision. In keeping with our Mission, our FIT tuition process individualizes each family’s rate of tuition so that a Sacred Heart education is within reach. As we move through the FIT process to determine your family’s contribution, know that fairness and confidentiality are at the heart of this process.

FIT APPLICATION PROCESS 1- To prepare to apply, collect the required supporting documents: most recent pay stubs and W-2 forms for all jobs; most recently filed tax return (1040, 1040A, 1040EZ with all schedules); most recently filed business tax return, and any supplemental income documentation (social security, child support, 1099M forms, worker’s compensation, unemployment, veterans benefits, etc).

2- Visit Finanial Aid Management (FAM) and create an account or log in if you already have an account. Complete the information required by FAM and submit the required documentation.

3- Once your information is processed, our FIT Committee will receive a recommendation from FAM. Using FAM’s recommendation and all other qualitative information provided by the family, a sustainable rate of tuition will be determined that prioritizes tuition as a top financial commitment but does not exceed your budget.

If you have questions about FIT, call the Admissions Office at 337.662.7064 or email admissions@sshcoteau.org.

FIT FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Who can be a part of FIT? If you are applying for admission now or are currently enrolled at ASH or Berchmans in K-12, you can apply for FIT. ASH and Berchmans offer FIT to families from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds.

If I apply for FIT, will it impact my child’s application for admission?

No. Our schools admit students based on academic merit, test scores, and personal qualities.

How do I find out what our individualized tuition will be?

ASH and Berchmans use a fair and confidential process. We consider many factors and each family’s tuition is determined, including income, assets, liabilites, debts, the number of dependents and children in tuition-charging schools (excluding daycare, preschool, and graduate school), and expenses. We begin with the recommendation of FAM, which is based on the infomration provided by each family during the FAM application process. We will review the recommendation and all other qualitative information provided by the family and determine a sustainable rate of tuition that prioritizes tuition as a top financial commitment but does not exceed your budget.

Are there payment plans available?

Yes. We offer several payment plans: One-time payment Two-time payment Monthly installment plan (requires registration and a low monthly fee). This plan allows parents to pay tuition over a 10-month period.

Do I need to re-apply for FIT each year?

Yes. We ask families to complete the FAM application each year. Changes in things such as income, family status, and the number of children attending private institutions may result in increases or decreases in the rate of tuition.

Each application is reviewed annually.

Is it possible to appeal our FIT decision?

Yes. We consider all relevant information and determine a fair and workable individualized tuition amount.

But, sometimes there is more to the story. Please write to the Admissions Office for further information regarding an appeal.

Is FIT confidential?

Yes. The FIT Committee maintains strict confidentiality of FIT awards. Faculty, students, and other parents are not infomred of FIT decisions.

Parents are required to maintain the same confidentiality or risk losing their FIT award.

Is there a multi-child discount?

Each family’s FIT award takes individual circumstances into consideration. Families with multiple children may receive a higher FIT award based off of expenses and need. It is highly encouraged for families with multiple children attending ASH and Berchmans to apply for FIT. How do separate or divorced households apply?

All custodial parents that financially contribute to tuition must submit the required FIT financial documents in order to receive a tuition award.

What does FIT cover?

Assistance is awarded in proportion to the school tuition and is applied to that total. It does not apply to other school fees or programs.

ACADEMY of the SACRED HEART CATHOLIC, COLLEGE-PREPARATORY SCHOOL FOR GIRLS SINCE 1821 The Academy of the Sacred Heart admits students of any race, religion, sex, nationality, or ethnic origin.