<p>I'm having some trouble understanding Kent's financial aid policy. The application packet mentions that "the primary responsibility for financing a child's education rests with the family...to help families manage finances, we offer a number of payment plans and loan options." I understand that they do offer some need-based grants, but not sure whether it is also expected of the family to take a loan in order to pay tuition. My parents refuse to take a loan, so if that is the case then Kent will no longer be an option. However, it also says in the application packet that merit scholarships are available. Does anyone know how one can apply? I've been haunting the Kent School website for information, but so far I cannot even find a list of scholarships offered. Thanks :)</p>
<p>I don’t think you apply for merit scholarships at Kent. They will look at your admissions “package” and give it out based on that. I also have not heard of anyone getting a full ride on solely merit scholarship, only a portion.</p>
<p>Thanks bookluver 
Is there anyone else out there - students, parents, or alums - who could offer any input?</p>
<p>welcome! Kent does not talk about merit scholarships anywhere, as you mentioned. Even as a student there, i have only heard of a few</p>
<p>Futureboarder - we are Kent parents and while our family is not on financial aid, if you take a close look at the website and/or speak with the admissions office, you will learn that Kent prides itself in provider need-based financial aid to a broader group of applicants and Kent uses a greater %age of its endowment for financial aid than most other New England board schools. I would encourage you to speak directly to the admissions office related to the aid topic. We know of many students admitted to several New England boarding schools and indicated that Kent provided the “best” aid package and hence they chose Kent.</p>
<p>Thanks Redwood - that is good to know :)</p>
<p>Futureboarder – I’m a Kent parent with a kid on FA. We’ve had a wonderful experience so far with Kent and the FA office. While most of the package is a need-based grant, the school did require us also to take a small loan through the school. However, the loan is quite small and is at a very low interest rate and doesn’t kick in for re-payment until some time well after graduation. The policy behind the loan, I believe, is to have everyone – the family, the student, and the school – committed to the student’s success there. At re-visit day, the rep. explained to FA parents that they want to make the education possible for families in need, but they also want the families to work towards making it a reality to whatever extent they can. I think their policy makes a lot of sense. The FA percentage a student receives also applies to spring training trips and summer mission trips. The rep. explained that the school wants the opportunities for travel, etc. – all the extras – to be available equally to all the kids. I’ve been very impressed with the school’s mission and approach to FA and my kid is having a great experience there.</p>
<p>you could PM italianboarder-- he went to Kent because he got a more generous FA package there than at Exeter. from what i know, Kent’s FA is quite generous-- they even offer FA for internationals, though extremely sparsely. best of luck!</p>
<p>I’m curious about this too. Is Kent providing grant based FA and then having parents take out a loan for the balance? Or is there a grant and a loan and an immediate payment to be made? Or could parents choose to either take the loan or scrape together the balance?</p>