Nagoya International School

Tuition & Fees  |  Explanation of Fees

Student Aid

 
Student aid is monetary assistance provided by NIS to reduce educational costs to families.  Student aid is provided on the basis of financial need, which is defined as the difference between educational expenses and a family’s ability to pay those expenses.  Since eligibility is based on many factors and each family has differing situations and financial circumstances, it is not possible to determine a specific income level at which a family is eligible or ineligible for aid.

NIS is committed to offering some degree of financial assistance to families that demonstrate financial need in paying tuition.  First and foremost, consideration is given to students who have no educational alternatives in Nagoya.  Ordinarily, this limits eligibility to students who are not subsidized by their parents’ employers or by other parties. 

Each year, the school allocates nearly 5% of the school’s operating budget for student aid, which provides financial support to roughly 20-25 families who could not otherwise attend NIS.  Some families require assistance beyond what the program can offer, and unfortunately NIS is not able to meet all of the needs of all applicants.

Allocation of Funds

Applying for student aid does not guarantee that you will be eligible to receive it.  Conversely, simply being eligible does not guarantee that there will be student aid available.  The amount of aid offered by the school depends on each family’s financial circumstances, the funds available, and the school’s policies.  Since a majority of the school’s funds are awarded prior to summer holiday and allocated at the start of the school year, the application timing is also another factor.

Funds for student aid come from two sources:  the annual operating budget and donations.  At NIS, tuition and fees finance roughly 94% of the budget, with the remaining 6% funded through grants and contributions from individuals and corporations to the school’s annual fundraising campaign, the “Annual Giving Fund.”  Any increase in the amount of student aid can only be supported either by increasing fees paid by all parents, or through enhanced fundraising efforts.

Determination of grant assistance is based on a computational model that is similar to ones used in other school financial aid programs and on the professional judgment of the Student Aid Committee regarding special circumstances of applicant families.  The typical award amount covers 10-20% of tuition.   Note on “Sibling Discounts”:  While “Sibling Discounts” are not offered by NIS, the number of children attending from the same family will affect the overall computation in much the same way as a traditional “sibling discount” would.
   

Important Considerations

1. Know the deadlines

Student aid applications for all NIS families are due by June 1 of each year.  Only if a family applies for admission to the school after this date, or if a family suffers unexpected reversals in their finances that affect their ability to make outstanding tuition payments during the course of the school year, will exceptions be made to this deadline.  However, since a majority of the funds are earmarked for distribution prior to the start of the school year, new applicants are strongly encouraged to apply well in advance of June 1.  Applicants submitting documents after the deadline will only be eligible for any remaining funds.

2. Consider ALL the costs

Knowing the true cost of a full year of education will help you plan your finances.  Additional costs include one-time building and annual capital fees, and other annual expenses such as transportation, lunch, additional English language support, sports, and travel fees for retreats, field-trips and other club activities or trips.  Please note that the Student Aid Program covers ONLY the cost of tuition.  All students at NIS must pay all annual and one-time fees in full at the time of admission.

3. Remember that aid is awarded annually

Families receiving student aid must reapply each year in order to be eligible for continuing student aid.  NIS will make every effort to continue to provide financial assistance at comparable levels when need warrants.

Criteria for Aid

• Student aid is based on a full year’s enrollment and tuition.  Should your child(ren) withdraw during the school year, the financial aid amount will be prorated.
• Students receiving aid are expected to observe accepted standards of social behavior and to progress satisfactorily in their academic programs.   Students receiving aid who are on disciplinary or academic probation will receive future financial assistance grants on a semester basis until their probation status is remedied.   Future grants may be withheld if their probation persists.
• Families receiving aid are expected to perform some voluntary services for the school on a regular basis.   The aid application allows parents the opportunity to list service areas where they feel most qualified to volunteer.
• Families receiving aid are expected to support the school’s fundraising efforts.   All parents are asked to contribute to the Annual Giving Fund, and as direct beneficiaries of this program, applicants are expected to understand the spirit of such a fundraising program, and to support the fund as much as possible.

Administration of the Program

• The school’s policies on student aid are determined by the Board of Directors and are administered by a Student Aid Committee made up of school administration and other members appointed by the board.
• Processing student aid applications and managing the program’s records and communications are responsibilities of the school administration, specifically the office of the headmaster.  After enrollment, all inquiries and questions regarding the Student Aid program should be directed to the headmaster’s office, NOT the Development Office.   

The Application Process  (for NEW students)

1. Contact the Development Office

• Application forms for student aid are available upon request
• All matters concerning student aid  (inquiries, applications, and decisions) will be handled confidentially

2. Apply Simultaneously for Admission AND Student Aid

• Students must be viable candidates for admission before beginning the student aid process.
• Submit all student aid documentation to the Development Office, together with all admissions materials in a separate envelope.

3. Submit ALL documents ON TIME

• Applications will NOT be considered until all required documentation has been submitted.
• Identify ALL income sources anticipated for the school year, including support from family, friends, and relatives.
• Provide accurate figures from the MOST RECENT taxation period.            

    * Provide a certified “Income and Tax Statement/Certificate” issued by your local government or tax authority.

    * If a certified “Income and Tax Statement/Certificate” is not available, obtain one from your employer.

    * If your tax is withheld in Japan, your statement should represent the year ending the previous December 31.

4. Schedule Interviews for Admissions AND Student Aid

• Efforts will be made to schedule both interviews on the same day.
• Admissions interviews are conducted with the principals; student aid interviews are with the headmaster and the business manager.

5. Await Notification

• Notification regarding student aid will be sent to applicants as soon as possible. Any appeal of a decision should be immediate and should follow these steps:

    * Clarify and confirm the decision by contacting the business manager.

    * If the concern is not resolved, submit a written request to the headmaster for reconsideration of the application.

Related Links:   Request for Admissions Information Packet
Admissions Process  |  Required Documents  |  Admission Policies  |  Admission Guidelines  |  Grade Placement
Tuition & Fees  |  Explanation of Fees  |  Financial Aid  |  Late Enrollment/Early Withdrawal
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