<p>Ok, so I have a 14 year old son who wants to go to boarding school. We applied at a bunch and 5 have gotten back with
us for skype interviews as we live in SC. So far, he got into the 1 he wants to go to and they came up with a good bit of financial aid but not enough to make it affordable for us so they put him on the financial aid waitlist. We are waiting on 2 more to make the decision. I am wondering if we should hold out hope that ANY of these schools with $50k tuition will come through with enough aid to make it affordable for us? By affordable I mean we can afford $5 to $10k out of pocket. I didn't know what to expect for financial aid, only what the SSS family report said. Any advice is appreciated!</p>
<p>This is the horrible fact of needing FA and being admitted. You need to start evaluating your options. Stay on the waitlist and try to come up with a good relationship with the FA officer or your AO. Meanwhile, start looking at schools below his level (safeties) with good endowments and rolling admissions; schools often give FA to over-achieving students. If you have a good day option, begin to look at that as a real possibility for school next year.</p>
<p>Luckily for you, the deadline to accept or decline the acceptance has not come yet- that means that there is more FA out there that may or may not be used! When a person who has FA declines a school, that FA goes back into the pool and is handed out to waitlisted kids. Tell the school you want to remain on the waitlist and plan to attend if granted aid.</p>
<p>However, there are many factors that go into whether or not you receive FA. Firstly, if you have an asset (multiple and expensive cars, a vacation home, or another object that is tying up money), the school may not grant you as much FA as you think you need. If they gave you less than the SSS said you needed, they might just not have enough money to give to your child (and that’s not in any way a reflection of their desire to have your child attend!). Additionally, if you have a special circumstance that ties up money (expensive tuition for a special needs child, an ailing and sick relative with hospital bills), you may be able to call the school and explain your situation to them (I’m not sure whether or not this would work, but it’s worth a shot!). Just make your financial state as clear as possible, let them know you want to remain on the waitlist and then attend, and begin to make other options possible. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks pdl100…I did explain our financial situation to them since we lost our business, home etc several years ago and have been trying to get back on track…we got an additional $7k but still not enough to make it doable…Do you have any suggestions of other schools to look at? We have 1 day school option here but the drive is very far and would be hard to make it work from where we live…</p>
<p>I don’t know what your criteria are, but here is what I would do.</p>
<p>First, you want rolling admissions if you want to be admitted for next year: <a href=“Boarding School Search Results”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/search-boarding-schools/000United-States-of-America/00000000000/10/1000/020</a>.</p>
<p>Next, you’ll want a high endowment versus financial aid to increase your chances: <a href=“Sort Boarding Schools by Key Criteria”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ranking.php</a>.</p>
<p>Third, you’ll want to look at schools with lower SSAT scores than your child’s but that still has strong honors and APs: <a href=“Sort Boarding Schools by Key Criteria”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ranking.php</a>.</p>
<p>Finally, you’ll want to narrow schools down by the typical fashion of athletics and activities: <a href=“Sort Boarding Schools by Key Criteria”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/school_ranking.php</a>.</p>
<p>Keep an open mind about athletics, activities, and academics. It’s important to have a safety or two, and a lower SSAT score and admissions rate could substantially increase a high-achieving child’s financial aid. However, most boarding schools will offer a wide range of AP and honors classes, so your child will be challenged. A high endowment or aid rate per student is important too. And, of course, rolling admissions are a must. You need to find the school that fits right but still takes care of your needs. Good luck!</p>
<p>Thanks again pdl100! My kid is not advanced, he is bright but does have adhd that keeps him from being organized and he has poor time management skills. We had never even thought about a prep school until recently on the recommendation his principal. Her son attended one and she thinks it would be best for our son. We aren’t really that picky about what school he might attend b/c it’s bound to be 100% better than what we have here in SC. I just hope he can get in somewhere that will be a good fit for him.</p>
<p>Just curious, SC as in Southern California or South Carolina?</p>
<p>Interestingly enough there are schools with ADD/ADHD help!
<a href=“Boarding School Search Results”>http://www.boardingschoolreview.com/search-boarding-schools/0000/00010000000/00/2000/020</a></p>
<p>You can find a school with formal help or you can just find a school with a smaller, close-knit community and strong advisory program. </p>
<p>South Carolina</p>
<p>thanks pdl100! you are a great resource for a newbie like me!</p>
<p>Oh well duh!! Your username! Sorry. </p>