Financial Aid and Scholarship Program
Philosophy and Objectives
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School's (RGNS) financial aid and scholarship program seeks to provide qualified, motivated students from a broad socio-economic background with the opportunity to attend RGNS. However, Rabun Gap recognizes that the primary responsibility for financing an independent school education rests with the student's parents. The RGNS financial aid program, though limited, is designed primarily to assist families when appropriate funds are available.
All families receive some assistance with the cost of an RGNS education, as the total outlay to educate each student is approximately $40,000. The difference is made up by income from the school's endowment and through charitable support, such as the Annual Giving Campaign. Additional resources are available to families in the form of need-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships.
Financial aid awards are based on a family's demonstrated financial need, without regard to race, color, gender, religion, or ethnic origin. Financial aid decisions are made independently from admission decisions.
Need-Based Financial Assistance
RGNS offers need-based financial assistance to families to help bridge the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition. Need-based financial aid is a grant that does not require repayment. While RGNS commits more than $3 million dollars annually to financial assistance, the school is not able to fulfill every request for assistance.
New Families
Families applying for an RGNS need-based grant for the first time must complete the financial aid application not later than March 1, 2010. This includes sending the completed Parent Financial Statement (PFS) form to School and Student Services (SSS) prior to February 1, 2010. In addition, RGNS requires that the following documents be sent to the Admission and Financial Aid Office by March 1, 2010:
A signed copy of IRS Form 4506
A copy of your 2009 W-2 form
A copy of your 2009 Federal Income Tax form, with all schedules, or;
A copy of your 2008 Federal Income Tax Return, if the 2009 return is not complete by March 1, 2010.
Families will receive notification of their child's financial aid award along with the acceptance packet beginning March 15, 2010, provided the financial aid application has been completed. The grant offer is valid for three weeks and confirmed once RGNS receives the student's signed contract and non-refundable enrollment deposit. A copy of your 2009 Federal Income Tax Return, including all schedules must be submitted to the Admission and Financial Aid Office by April 15, 2010. Important note: Awards will be withdrawn and returned to the financial aid budget for another deserving student if these documents are not submitted according to the stated deadlines.
All financial information provided is confidential and only made available to the Financial Aid Committee. All information is to be reported to the best of your knowledge and is to be complete and truthful. Any misrepresentation of financial information submitted to the School can result in an adjustment, or elimination, of your child's financial award.
