911 Gunston RoadPO Box 200Centreville, Maryland 21617

p 410.758.0620 f 410.758.0628 www.gunston.org

Gunston Affording

Approximately 45% of Gunston families receive financial aid each year.

Merit ScholarshipsGunston’s Merit Scholarship Competition is open to any 8th grade student who is applying to the school for the following academic year. The scholarship is earned by superior achievement on the SSAT and on Gunston’s Merit Exam, which contains sections in English and mathematics. In recent years, an average of two incoming freshman have had the opportunity to earn this scholarship; the value of which is equal to between 25-50% of the student’s 9th grade tuition. The dates for the SSAT and the Merit exam are posted on the Admissions page on Gunston’s website. Students must have a Gunston application submitted by March 1st in order to be considered for one of the Merit Scholarships.

Need-Based Financial AidAll families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply. Gunston’s financial aid awards are need-based grants, which result in reduced tuition for its recipients. Admission to Gunston is not dependent upon a family’s ability to pay full tuition. Once students are admitted, the Financial Aid Committee meets to review the financial aid applications and determines the amount of each grant. Award amounts are included with a family’s letter of acceptance.

Financial aid awards are only for one academic year, so families must reapply each year. Adjustments to an award can occur because of a change in a family’s financial situation. However, barring such a change, Gunston is committed to providing aid during the child’s entire time at school.

Applying is Easy

Gunston utilizes the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS) to help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute towards their child’s tuition at Gunston. To begin the financial aid process, follow the steps below:

Go to sss.nais.org

Click on the prompt to begin your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You may use estimates to complete the PFS — you do not need to wait for your taxes to be done. Please provide plenty of detail about unusual circumstances and complete the form as soon as possible. Print a copy for your records. Gunston’s school code for the form is 3634.

You should choose to have a copy of the summary report sent to you (optional).

Take note of the provided password so that you can return to the PFS at a later date.

Mail a copy of your previous year’s tax return (when completed) to the Director of Financial Aid at Gunston. Since each family’s financial situation is unique, you are encouraged to send a personal letter if further explanation of your financial situation is needed.

1

2

3

4

5

Investing in an independent school education

An independent school education, with its high-level of personalization, small classes, high expectations, and focus on college preparation, is a significant investment in your child’s future. The Gunston School understands that affording such an education is a concern for all families, regardless of income. Our Board of Trustees is committed to making a Gunston education affordable for any motivated and talented student who meets our admissions criteria. Year after year, Gunston works to the best of its ability to meet the financial needs of each family through our generous financial aid program. Our hope is that every applicant that is accepted to Gunston can attend.

“ I was pleasantly surprised that our family qualified.” A Gunston Parent

Approximately $700,000 of financial aid is awarded each year.

Once the SSS evaluation is sent to Gunston, the Financial Aid Committee will review the materials and determine the level of financial aid to be offered. In the case of divorced or separated parents, the school asks each natural parent to complete a confidential PFS.

Families may appeal their financial aid in writing or by scheduling a meeting with the Financial Aid Committee through the Director of Admission and Financial Aid.

The Gunston School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origin, disability, or similar factors in its admission or financial aid policies.

The students represented in this brochure do not necessarily represent families receiving financial aid.

Approximately 45% of Gunston families receive financial aid each year.

Merit ScholarshipsGunston’s Merit Scholarship Competition is open to any 8th grade student who is applying to the school for the following academic year. The scholarship is earned by superior achievement on the SSAT and on Gunston’s Merit Exam, which contains sections in English and mathematics. In recent years, an average of two incoming freshman have had the opportunity to earn this scholarship; the value of which is equal to between 25-50% of the student’s 9th grade tuition. The dates for the SSAT and the Merit exam are posted on the Admissions page on Gunston’s website. Students must have a Gunston application submitted by March 1st in order to be considered for one of the Merit Scholarships.

Need-Based Financial AidAll families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply. Gunston’s financial aid awards are need-based grants, which result in reduced tuition for its recipients. Admission to Gunston is not dependent upon a family’s ability to pay full tuition. Once students are admitted, the Financial Aid Committee meets to review the financial aid applications and determines the amount of each grant. Award amounts are included with a family’s letter of acceptance.

Financial aid awards are only for one academic year, so families must reapply each year. Adjustments to an award can occur because of a change in a family’s financial situation. However, barring such a change, Gunston is committed to providing aid during the child’s entire time at school.

Applying is Easy

Gunston utilizes the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS) to help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute towards their child’s tuition at Gunston. To begin the financial aid process, follow the steps below:

Go to sss.nais.org

Click on the prompt to begin your Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). You may use estimates to complete the PFS — you do not need to wait for your taxes to be done. Please provide plenty of detail about unusual circumstances and complete the form as soon as possible. Print a copy for your records. Gunston’s school code for the form is 3634.

You should choose to have a copy of the summary report sent to you (optional).

Take note of the provided password so that you can return to the PFS at a later date.

Mail a copy of your previous year’s tax return (when completed) to the Director of Financial Aid at Gunston. Since each family’s financial situation is unique, you are encouraged to send a personal letter if further explanation of your financial situation is needed.

1

2

3

4

5

Investing in an independent school education

An independent school education, with its high-level of personalization, small classes, high expectations, and focus on college preparation, is a significant investment in your child’s future. The Gunston School understands that affording such an education is a concern for all families, regardless of income. Our Board of Trustees is committed to making a Gunston education affordable for any motivated and talented student who meets our admissions criteria. Year after year, Gunston works to the best of its ability to meet the financial needs of each family through our generous financial aid program. Our hope is that every applicant that is accepted to Gunston can attend.

“ I was pleasantly surprised that our family qualified.” A Gunston Parent

Approximately $700,000 of financial aid is awarded each year.

Once the SSS evaluation is sent to Gunston, the Financial Aid Committee will review the materials and determine the level of financial aid to be offered. In the case of divorced or separated parents, the school asks each natural parent to complete a confidential PFS.

Families may appeal their financial aid in writing or by scheduling a meeting with the Financial Aid Committee through the Director of Admission and Financial Aid.

The Gunston School does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, ethnic origin, disability, or similar factors in its admission or financial aid policies.

The students represented in this brochure do not necessarily represent families receiving financial aid.

911 Gunston RoadPO Box 200Centreville, Maryland 21617

p 410.758.0620 f 410.758.0628 www.gunston.org

Gunston Affording

Approximately 45% of Gunston families receive financial aid each year.

Merit ScholarshipsGunston’s Merit Scholarship Competition is open to any 8th grade student who is applying to the school for the following academic year. The scholarship is earned by superior achievement on the SSAT and on Gunston’s Merit Exam, which contains sections in English and mathematics. In recent years, an average of two incoming freshman have had the opportunity to earn this scholarship; the value of which is equal to between 25-50% of the student’s 9th grade tuition. The dates for the SSAT and the Merit exam are posted on the Admissions page on Gunston’s website. Students must have a Gunston application submitted by March 1st in order to be considered for one of the Merit Scholarships.

Need-Based Financial AidAll families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply. Gunston’s financial aid awards are need-based grants, which result in reduced tuition for its recipients. Admission to Gunston is not dependent upon a family’s ability to pay full tuition. Once students are admitted, the Financial Aid Committee meets to review the financial aid applications and determines the amount of each grant. Award amounts are included with a family’s letter of acceptance.

Financial aid awards are only for one academic year, so families must reapply each year. Adjustments to an award can occur because of a change in a family’s financial situation. However, barring such a change, Gunston is committed to providing aid during the child’s entire time at school.