GLO Tuition Assistance and Affordability Family Guidebook by Groves Learning Organization

Tuition Assistance and Affordability Family Guidebook 2023-2024

groveslearning.org

Table of Contents Mission and Purpose . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Application Process . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Additional Financing Options . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Funding Sources & Budgetary Decisions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Committee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 General Policies . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Supplemental Costs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 FAQ & Quick Guides . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11

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 fufill 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 have the opportunity to explore a variety of 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 called TADS 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 through TADs. Application Step-by-Step 1. Set up a call with Admissions 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.

Re-Enrolling Families: Families are required to re-apply for tuition assistance each year they are enrolled. The re-enrollment process begins in December or January and families will receive information about re-enrollment timelines and the annual application for tuition assistance through TADS at that time.

Deadlines and Awards Our Admissions, Enrollment, and Tuition Assistance application 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 are not intending to enroll and the tuition assistance funds will be released to award to another family. If your application has not been completed prior to 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 due date.

Special Circumstances Divorced or Separated Parents Families may choose to apply for tuition assistance as one household or as two separate households. You must live in different households in order to apply separately. 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 appeal their award. 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 TADS application. Information that would be helpful to provide in this letter may include a monthly budget and an outline of the specific tuition assistance needed for your family. You are able to submit a letter of appeal after you have received notification of your award decision from your TADS application. 2. If you are looking to appeal because the information you provided in your original TADS 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 are able to appeal more than once as long as your circumstances from your previous appeal have changed. Each appeal will be given full consideration by the Admissions and Tuition Assistance committee as long as funds are available to award. Please understand that the decision at the end of the appeal process for the circumstances in that specific appeal is final.

Additional Financing Options Tax Deductions

While we cannot provide tax advice, there are certain federal tax deductions that could make a difference for 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 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. The 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. There are fees associated with the number of payment installments and payment type that you choose. This information is outlined in TADS as you complete your enrollment agreement.

Funding Sources & Budgetary Decisions The GLO 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.

Committee The Committee is comprised of the Head of School, the Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators, and the Director of Admissions. The Admissions and Tuition Assistance Committee draws on its deep knowledge of the Academy’s culture and programs to determine the goodness of fit between an applicant and our learning environment. Committee members dedicate an enormous amount of energy and time getting to know applicants and their families, responding to questions and engaging in dialogue, all to ensure that Groves Academy is the right place for every student who enters our doors. 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 reapply for tuition assistance in TADS and we ask that you notify the Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators in writing to initiate the process.

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 through TADS during the re-enrollment season whether you 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. We also understand that there are cases in which a family is caring for an elderly family member which affects the family budget. You may outline these additional expenses in an appeal letter for committee review after the initial decision on your tuition assistance application has been rendered.

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 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 $350 technology fee to all enrolled students.

After School Programming, Athletics, & Theater Students who are enrolled in before and after care will incur an additional $20 per day. 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. School year fees for these activities range from $200-$450 per activity.

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 students' files will be reviewed upon enrollment. New students will be contacted for an initial screening as needed 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 prior to the 3-year evaluation, the Transitions Advocate will collaborate with the Diagnostic Department to determine if evaluation prior to 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-langauge 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-langauge 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 transitions, they can participate in speech-language therapy for one school year (September - May) at the Groves Academy student fee of $3,255. This includes 2, 30-minute sessions or 1 60-minute session per week during the school year. In subsequent years, the fee for services is $170 per hour.

Fees The annual speech-language fee is $3,255. This 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 for a total fee of $2,280. 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-langauge services. These funds are on a first come, first serve 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 with setting up carpool options for interested families. Groves Academy shares a bus with the Breck School for an annual fee range of $1,000 - $3,000 depending on the amount of transportation selected. To learn more about the Breck School bus shared bus option please contact Director of Transportation at Breck, Mark Ryks at (763) 381-8218. If you need support with payment for transportation to and from Groves Academy, please outline that in your appeal letter or in writing to the Head of School.

Lunch Program Groves Academy offers a daily lunch program. Families may select the days their child would like school lunch. Families may select the days of each week that they would like to take advantage of the lunch program. There is a daily fee for lunch. This fee will be outlined in your packet of materials prior to the start of the school year. 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 quick guides for TADS and Your Tuition Solution, please reach out to Groves Academy Admissions and Financial Aid Coordinators for handouts and pamphlets.

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