All families who would like to be considered for tuition assistance must complete and return two confidential applications, the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) Form and the SJND Tuition Assistance Application. The PSAS is an outside agency that SJND uses to process the information provided by families.

Submitting the forms will allow families to be considered for both the SJND Tuition Assistance Program as well as the FACE (Family Aid to Catholic Education) Program, a Diocesan tuition assistance program.

In addition, families are required to provide a copy of their most recent federal income tax return with all appropriate schedules, as well as W-2’s for the past two years.

Both the PSAS and the SJND forms, along with the most recent tax return, must be completed and returned to the SJND Business Office by Feb. 1, 2013 . The PSAS application says it is due later, but SJND asks all families to return the application to the school (address below) so that we can review them before sending them out.

It is important to submit financial aid applications on time, as there are budgetary limits to the available funds.

Private School Aid Service Form (PSAS)
SJND Tuition Assistance Application

PSAS Form (Spanish)

All families who would like to be considered for tuition assistance must complete and return both the SJND and PSAS applications, along with a $24 processing fee for PSAS.

Applications must be postmarked or hand delivered to the school office by Feb. 1, 2013.  Completed forms and accompanying documents can be delivered or mailed to the following address:

Saint Joseph Notre Dame High School
Business Office
1109 Chestnut Street
Alameda, CA 94501

SJND will hold two meetings to discuss the tuition assistance process with interested families. All tuition assistant applicant families are strongly advised to attend the meetings.

• Oct. 28, 2012, during Open House
  
  
• Nov. 28, 2012, 7 p.m.

SJND will host a Tuition Assistance Workshop to help prospective families fill out the application for tuition assistance. All tuition assistance applicant families, including existing SJND families and prospective families, are strongly advised to attend the meeting, if they feel like they need help. There will be help available in Spanish, as well.

• The Tuition Assistance Workshop is January 26, 2013. Families are asked to choose a time for their one-hour appointment, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and RSVP sometime between January 1 and January 20 by email to Stephanie Semolic-Portillo of the SJND Business Office.

Who is eligible for tuition assistance?
All families are eligible to apply, since many different situations are considered. Decisions for financial aid and admissions are made separately. However, a completed admissions application must be on file in the Admissions Office in order for your child to be considered for financial aid.

How does the school determine a family’s eligibility for tuition assistance?
A f amily’s qualified need is determined by a complex formula that considers a broad range of financial factors. There is no maximum or minimum family income limits that affect eligibility. We look at family income as well as other factors affecting a family’s ability to pay. Grants range in amount from $1,000 - $10,000 depending on families financial circumstances and the school’s available resources.

Who determines the amount of assistance each family receives?
The SJND Tuition Assistance Committee reviews all applications and determines the amount of assistance to be provided to each family based on available resources and each family’s financial need.

Does SJND give out scholarships based on academic merit?
The SJND Presidential Scholarship is awarded to a number of incoming ninth-grade students who demonstrate leadership, service and scholarship. Eligible students are contacted during the admissions process.

What other types of assistance is available?
PSAS forwards every tuition assistance application to Family Assistance for Catholic Education (FACE). FACE is a program funded and administered by the Diocese of Oakland. The awards are determined by FACE and communicated to SJND. When an SJND family is given their tuition assistance award amount the FACE grant is included in that amount.

How do I apply for FACE?
The PSAS application is used from both FACE and SJND. PSAS will forward your application information to FACE. There is no need to apply separately.

If I applied for and received assistance last year, do I have to apply again this year?
Yes. Each family must apply every year in order to receive tuition assistance. Returning families who have significantly different economic circumstances this year may receive more or less assistance than they received last year.

What if my taxes are not completed by the application deadline?
In order to facilitate the application process, we encourage you to get your taxes done early to meet the deadlines. However, the school will accept the Federal Income Tax return(s) from the previous year if they are accompanied by W-2 forms from the most recent year.