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The challenges of an independent education

Affording Pennfield

Pennfield’s Making it Possible initiative was launched in 2020 to help make a Pennfield education accessible to more Rhode Island and Massachusetts families.

“At a time when educational costs are continuing to rise, we’re proud to be responsive to the needs of our community by making Pennfield more accessible, and by being a leader in addressing this need.”

The Pennfield School is committed to creating a school community that is inclusive and diverse. We welcome families from all backgrounds and cultures and strive to help make Pennfield accessible for those with a range of socio-economic backgrounds. At Pennfield, we are deeply invested in your child.

We encourage families to reach out and talk to us about various financial options. We offer a 10-month payment plan, need-based financial aid for families applying to kindergarten – grade 8, and  U.S. Active Duty military rates. The Pennfield School recognizes the financial challenges of independent education, and we will work with you to help make our school an affordable option. Financial aid is granted to families in kindergarten – grade 8 based on a family’s contributing ability, the grade level, and the available funds.

The following  financial options are available, in the hopes of making a Pennfield education attainable for many families who might otherwise think it is out of their financial reach:

Online Pennfield Financial Aid FormDownloadable Financial Aid Form (pdf)Financial Aid Policy (pdf)

1. DIFFERENT PAYMENT PLANS

  • Plan A: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot. The first payment of 50% tuition and fees are due in July, and the remaining 50% of tuition obligation is reflected on bills due in November (25%) and March (25%).
  • Plan B: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot. Participation in SMART TUITION can place tuition payment on a ten-month basis, July-April.
  • Plan C: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot.  Payment can be paid in full due in July.
All plans ask families to sign up with SMART TUITION. SMART TUITION processes and collects tuition fees for The Pennfield School.

2. NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN- GRADE 8

The Pennfield School offers financial assistance to families who qualify for support. We require new applicants to complete the following steps:

  • Complete the PFS (Parents’ Financial Statement) form online, found on the School and Student Service site (SSS) at https://www.solutionsbysss.com/parents. The Pennfield School’s code is 5325.
  • If you own a Business or Farm, we require that you complete the SSS Business – Farm Statement Form. This can be found at https://www.solutionsbysss.com/parents.
  • A copy of your 2021, or your 2022 when they are complete, 1040 Income Tax Return, the 2022 W-2 Form, and all supporting schedules, including Schedule K-1 if you are a shareholder or a partner in a Partnership, submitted to SSS.
  • If you have a child in a tuition charging school, verification of amount of tuition paid for the current school year needs to be submitted.  For college tuition, use the IRS form 1098-T. Families must apply for financial assistance at all tuition charging schools in order to apply for aid at Pennfield.
  • In cases of divorce, unmarried, or separated parents both parents need to submit a PFS and a copy of their 1040 tax return. Children living with grandparents or guardians will be reviewed case by case.
  • Complete “The Pennfield School’s Online Financial Aid Application” form.

SSS reviews the application and forwards a report about each family’s economic profile. The report includes a recommendation as to what the family can afford to pay towards tuition. The Pennfield School makes its determination regarding financial aid after taking into consideration the SSS recommendation, the individual circumstances of each particular family, and the amount of financial aid at Pennfield available in a given year.

Families reapply for aid each year if they want to continue to receive a yearly grant.  Families will typically receive a grant that is about the same percentage as the prior year unless there is a significant income change.  If a parent chooses to leave their job or change jobs for a decreased salary, Pennfield is unable to underwrite this difference with a larger financial aid grant the following year.

To be considered in the first round of financial aid grants for the 2023-2024 school year, financial aid paperwork for new families needs to be submitted to The Pennfield School’s Admission Office by Wednesday, February 8, 2023.  After February 8, financial aid will still be available and awarded on a rolling basis.

Billing and Payment

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $500.00 per child is due with an enrollment contract.  Tuition is either billed in three installments of 50%, 25%, and 25% respectively, or tuition can be put on a 10 month payment plan. The due dates for the three installment plan for 2023-2024 are July, November, and March.  The Pennfield School expects the prompt payment of bills.

Field trips are billed as they happen during the school year.  All students entering 5th – 8th grade are required to purchase an iPad before the start of the school year.

For questions concerning the PFS, please call SSS at (800) 344-8328. For all other questions, contact Kristin Emory in the Admission Office at (401) 849-4646 ext 147 or by email at kemory@pennfield.org.