In this planning, it is important to realize that the family bears the primary responsibility for financing a child's education to the extent that it is able. The basic criterion for a financial aid award is demonstrated need. Awards are distributed proportionately among all grade levels. A number of factors are used to determine financial need, so it is impossible to specify income levels or other criteria that would guarantee a student receive financial aid. Income, assets, taxes, family size, unusual expenses, parents' ages and number of family members in tuition-paying schools are just some of the factors used in the equation to determine financial need.
Financial aid covers portions of the comprehensive tuition and lunch fee.
Books, transportation and other incidental expenses are excluded from aid. SPA does not charge a fee for the application for financial aid. Financial aid awards are usually mailed within two weeks after a student is offered admission. The process may take longer if there are complicated or extenuating circumstances in the family situation. We would never expect a student who has been offered admission and applied for financial aid to make a decision about enrolling until the student's financial aid offer is known.