FAQs

Frequently Asked Questions

Q
Who can apply for financial aid?

A
Everyone is welcome to apply; however, awards are granted only on the basis of demonstrated need as determined by the Financial Aid Committee.

Q
Can my son qualify for aid for being an outstanding student?

A
Not on the basis of academic achievement alone. Fairfield Prep does not award merit scholarships. All financial aid at Fairfield Prep is awarded on the basis of need.

Q
Can my son qualify for aid for being an outstanding athlete?

A
No. Athletic scholarships at the high school level are strictly prohibited under the regulations of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference, of which Fairfield College Preparatory School is a member. Fairfield Prep does not award athletic scholarships.

Q
What is the income cutoff for receiving financial aid?

A
The service which analyzes the applications looks at income and assets, taking out standard allowances for living expenses and retirement planning. A percentage of the remaining resources are expected to be available for tuition. That amount is divided by the number of children in tuition-charging schools. A family with $70,000 of income and three children in tuition-charging schools will qualify for more aid than a family with the same income but only one child in a tuition-charging school, all else being equal.

Q
My son is applying for admission as an incoming freshman; can I wait until he is accepted to apply for financial aid?

A
No. Financial aid applications are due November 1 for Early Decision applicants and November 15 for Regular Decision applicants so that our financial aid decision letters will go out at the same time as the acceptance letters. That way accepted students will have all the information they need to decide whether they can enroll at Prep.

Q
My son is already attending Fairfield Prep; when should we file for financial aid?

A
Financial aid applications for currently enrolled students are due December 15. If you are already receiving financial aid, a financial aid application packet will be sent out by November 15 (if you do not receive one, contact the Office of Admissions & Financial Aid). If you are not presently receiving financial aid and wish to apply, please contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid before November 15 to have a packet sent to you.

Q
What if the deadline has passed and then we realize that we need to apply for financial aid?

A
You may still apply (and should). However, keep in mind that the Financial Aid Committee will probably have awarded all financial aid monies. Nevertheless, from time to time additional money does become available; in such instances it is helpful for the Financial Aid Committee to have ready access to a completed application.

Q
My son is applying for admission as a transfer student; can he apply for financial aid?

A
Financial aid is generally not available for transfer students. He may apply, but is unlikely to receive an award, as priority in the awarding of financial aid is given to currently enrolled students and incoming freshmen. However, after having spent one year at Prep, a transfer student may apply for financial aid and his application will be given the same consideration as that given to all enrolled students.

Q
How much financial aid does Fairfield Prep award each year?

A
For the 2012-2013 school year, over $2.1 million in need-based financial aid has been awarded. The average award is over $8500. Award amounts range from $1000 to $15,000. While we expect every family to contribute towards the education of their son, Prep makes every effort to meet the financial needs of each family.

Q
Does the outside service make the awards?

A
No. The Fairfield Prep Financial Aid Committee uses the service’s analysis of each family’s finances as the starting point in its discussions of how much aid to grant. The Committee takes into account extenuating or unusual circumstances which applicants have noted on their application.

Q
If my son receives financial aid, will he or I be required to do anything in return?

A
Financial aid is a gift. Neither a financial aid recipient nor his family is required to work in exchange for the award, nor does the award have to be paid back. For awards of a substantial amount, the recipient and his family must participate in Fairfield Prep’s Students for Educational Excellence through Diversity program (S.E.E.D.).

Q
I’m concerned about future costs like college for my kids and my own retirement. How does that impact Financial Aid?

A
While parents are absolutely correct to keep in mind the long-term financial needs of their family, Prep’s Financial Aid Committee is most concerned with meeting the current needs of its applicants. Families with assets which they have earmarked for future needs will show up as having a greater ability to pay for tuition now than families who currently have lesser means. Keep in mind that Prep’s financial aid is not designed to help families of means to protect and preserve their assets, and thus help families to meet their future needs, but rather to meet present needs.

Q
I am already paying substantial college tuition for my older children. Can Prep help me out with some financial aid?

A
Since colleges use much more sophisticated analyses of parents’ ability to pay, and their costs are so much higher than Prep’s, it is usually the case that families who do not qualify for aid from a college will also not qualify for Prep’s financial aid; furthermore, Fairfield Prep’s financial aid is not awarded in order to subsidize tuition costs at other institutions.

Q
I anticipate a significant loss of income in the near future; should I apply for financial aid now?

A
Fairfield Prep does not award financial aid on the basis of future events, e.g., loss of job or income. Once an event that impacts your financial situation occurs, then you should contact the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid.