Financial Aid - FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: Is financial assistance available at RCDS?
A: Rye Country Day offers financial aid to qualifying families. Our financial aid program is need-based, which means we do not offer any academic, athletic, or merit-based scholarships of any kind. Financial aid is awarded to families of qualified admissions candidates who demonstrate financial need.

Q: How much financial aid is available at RCDS?
A: This year, our financial aid budget is approximately $ 3.9 million. Currently, we have 131 students receiving financial assistance at RCDS.

Q: Will I have to pay back my financial aid award?
A: No. The RCDS financial aid program is entirely comprised of grants. There are no loans in our financial aid packages.

Q: Does financial aid only cover tuition?
A: No. Financial aid awards consider the entire expense of attending RCDS. This factors in "extra" costs such as lunch, books, transportation, and other expenses. Furthermore, all financial aid students (regardless of the grant size) receive a new laptop computer from the school as part of their financial aid package in Grades 7-12. Although the computer is technically owned by RCDS, the student has use of this machine at home and during all vacations. Finally, RCDS is happy to be able to support school-related trips for financial aid students. The school will support approved trips for financial aid students at the same percentage of their tuition cost (e.g., a family who pays 50% of our tuition would be asked to pay 50% of any school-approved trip).

Q: Who are the students that are on financial aid at RCDS?
A: The school looks to support qualified students who will be able to contribute to school life in many ways. We have students on financial aid in all divisions of the school (Lower, Middle, and Upper). Historically, we have had a larger concentration of financial aid students in the Middle and Upper divisions, but all families are encouraged to apply. Currently, our financial aid students come from approximately twenty different communities in Westchester and Fairfield Counties, as well as Manhattan and the Bronx. Our families also come from a range of incomes and qualify for varying amounts of financial support. There is no financial aid available for Pre-K students.

Q: How does one actually apply for financial aid at RCDS?
A: The first step in applying for financial aid is to inquire about a financial aid application when you come to visit the school. There is also a place on the application form where you should indicate your interest in financial aid. Our admissions literature addresses the financial aid process in general, but it is helpful to ask by phone or in person if you would like to complete a financial aid application. Once you have inquired, RCDS will either mail or hand you a financial aid packet in person, detailing the steps involved in a financial aid application.

Q: How does Rye Country Day assess a family's financial need?

Click here to download information and instructions on how to access and complete a Parent Financial Statement

A: RCDS uses the School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid to establish financial need. For more information about SSS, call 800-344-8328 or visit their website at sss.nais.org. Financial aid applicants need to complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) and submit a copy to RCDS and the original must go to Randolph, MA for processing. Families are welcome to complete these application forms online if that is more convenient; however, be sure to print a copy of whatever work is done online. The School also requires that applicants submit a copy of all federal IRS forms submitted in the previous year, as well as the most recent W2 forms. All of these documents combined give RCDS an informed sense of a family's financial need. It is important to note that although RCDS uses SSS as an important guide in this process, actual awards are always recalculated locally and distributed by the Financial Aid Office at RCDS.

Q: What if our family is separated or I am a single parent?
A: Our financial aid students come from a wide variety of family structures, and ultimately every family's situation is treated on a case-by-case basis. However, RCDS does have a clear policy for considering aid in separated/divorced situations. We do consider financial resources that are available to the applicants from all parents (non-custodial and step-parents included).

Q: How does the timing of the financial aid application work?
A: The School distributes financial aid awards simultaneously with admissions offers. Since most of our admissions responses occur in mid-February, our Financial Aid application process must commence well in advance of this date. The School mails out the first round of financial aid materials to applicants in mid-November. After that date, financial aid materials are distributed individually. The due date for a completed financial aid application for prospective students is December 15.

Q: Will my application for financial aid impact my admissions decision?
A: If your financial aid application is completed by the aforementioned deadline, then the answer is almost always "no." Financial aid and admissions are two separate processes at RCDS; our Admissions Committees do not consider financial need when evaluating the qualifications of an admissions applicant. While the financial aid budget is generous, it is not limitless. Applications for aid that are submitted after the December deadline can only be considered subject to the availability of funds. Sometimes RCDS is unable to make aid awards to all qualified students based on budgetary constraints.

Q: Will I continue to receive financial aid for the duration of my child's tenure at the school?
A: Generally yes. As long as a family's financial situation remains relatively unchanged, families should anticipate that their cost will remain relatively constant throughout their experience at RCDS. Grants can change in either direction depending on significant changes in a family's financial lifestyle.

Q: While attending RCDS, will everyone know that my child is receiving financial aid?
A: No. The identity of financial aid students is kept in confidence at RCDS. Beyond the Financial Aid Committee, generally principals and people who might be running a school trip have access to financial aid status. No one has access to any financial documents except for the Financial Aid Committee.


Q: What should I do if I have more questions?
A: At any time during the financial aid process, please feel free to call Mr. Torsie Judkins, Director of Financial Aid, at 914-925-4543 or torsie_judkins@ryecountryday.org. Our goal is to make this process as efficient and clear as possible.