Financial Aid

Need is determined by a number of factors including income, assets, liabilities, family size, and the number of children in tuition-charging schools. Due to the complexity of the financial aid formula, we cannot provide analysis without a full application, but we encourage all families who believe that they may be eligible to apply. However, the following data may be helpful to note.

For the 2021-2022 school year:

• 73% of financial aid recipients receive a gross income of $200,000 or less.
• The average household income among families receiving financial aid is $168,372.
• 22% of NPS students receive tuition grants ranging from 5% to 95% of tuition costs. 
• The average grant is $26,493.

All financial aid grants are based on the family's need as determined by NPS and the Tuition Aid Data Service (TADS), a financial assessment program. The NPS Financial Aid Committee uses the recommendation from TADS as a baseline for our own review, so NPS may ask a family to contribute more or less to tuition than what is estimated by TADS. Every family is asked to contribute a minimum amount toward the cost of an NPS education.

Decisions to admit students to NPS are made without regard to the applicant's financial need. It is often the case that the number of financial aid applicants who qualify for grants may be greater than the amount of funds available. As a result, it is possible to be offered admission to NPS and be placed on a wait list for financial aid.

Families must re-apply for financial aid each year, and the grant amount depends on the family's need and the School's continued resources.  Unless your financial situation changes, it is our intent to continue offering financial support at a consistent level year over year.

The TADS application process is comprehensive and will take some time to complete.  Give yourself the time you need by not waiting to begin until our deadlines listed above approach. 

TADS application overview:

• Beginning October 1, 2021, you may go to TADS  to begin the online application process. 
• To prepare you to complete the TADS financial aid application, you may access a TADS worksheet in English or in Spanish.
• When filling out the application, you will have the opportunity to inform TADS which schools should receive your information.
• Once the application is complete, submit all required supporting documentation directly to TADS via online upload, fax or mail.
• Financial aid grants sent in March are contingent upon receipt of all required documentation and may be re-calculated upon completion of the TADS audit, a change in the family's ability to pay, or final enrollment choices that alter your eligibility for financial aid support.

Required documentation:

• All parents' or guardians' most recent IRS 1040, including all schedules and 2021 W-2s Awards are contingent upon receipt of the families' 2021 federal tax return once available.
• Most recent 2022  pay stubs or other proof of estimated income
• Other documentation by request 

Support:

• Contact TADS Monday-Friday, 8:00am to 6:00pm Central Time at 1-800-884-8237 or via email at support@tads.com.
• You may also reach out to Katy Harvey, NPS Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.

Who can apply for financial aid?
Anyone may apply for financial aid, and we encourage families to submit an application if they feel they may not be able to afford NPS.

Will applying for financial aid affect my child's admissions decision?
No.  Decisions to admit students to NPS are made without regard to the applicant's financial need, hence the Admissions Committee is not informed about who is applying for tuition assistance.

What if only one parent is employed?
If all dependent children in a family attend full time school, we expect both parents to be employed outside the home earning a minimum income of $30,000.  If not working or earning less than the minimum income, we will impute income for a parent who is able but not working. The Financial Aid Committee will consider exceptions based on individual circumstances.

If divorced, a single parent, separated, or divorced and remarried, how do we handle the financial aid application?
In general, if an applicant's parents are living separately, both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete a financial aid application and submit accompanying documentation reflecting their individual financial situations. Two applications benefit you, as this ensures that the cost of maintaining separate households is fully considered.

We ask that you you submit any legal agreement stating explicitly that a particular parent bears no financial responsibility for education. 

The Financial Aid Committee considers the entire family's ability to pay tuition, hence new spouses must also submit financial information. 

NPS recognizes that each family's situation is unique, and we welcome a conversation and/ or documentation to clarify a family's financial picture.

Additional questions?  Please reach out to Katy Harvey, Director of Admissions and Financial Aid.