Ridgefield Academy believes that an independent school education should be available to all students who meet the mission of our school. The purpose of our financial aid program is to provide the educational opportunity of the Academy to students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds.
Our Philosophy
We seek to make Ridgefield Academy an option for all students who demonstrate a passion for learning, maintain strong academic achievement, and have shown a commitment to strong character and service to the community. The Academy is committed to creating a school community that includes families from different socioeconomic backgrounds, and we do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, handicapped status, sexual orientation, religion, or national or ethnic origin. We do not want any family to assume that a Ridgefield Academy education is not available due to cost and affordability. To learn more about the financial aid application and decision-making process for Kindergarten-Grade 8, please refer to the "Policies and Procedures" section that follows.
Policies & Procedures
1. Contact the Admission Office to request a copy of the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) prepared by the School and Student Scholarship Service for Financial Aid (SSS). These forms will require you to submit tax returns, including W-2s, 1040, and other schedules directly to Ridgefield Academy.
2. Financial aid is awarded based upon an analysis of demonstrated need and the ability to pay. The calculation is based upon the following:
- Incomes of both parents
- Family assets
- Number of dependents
- Number of children in tuition charging schools
- Special situations and appeals
3. Financial aid grants only become final after the Financial Aid Committee has reviewed the family's current federal tax forms, W2s, and all supporting schedules.
4. A financial aid grant is renewable each year a student remains at RA. Each family is required to provide the Financial Aid Committee with the updated SSS forms, current tax return, and schedules. Provided the family's financial situation does not change and the student remains in good standing with the school, the grant will be renewed. Financial aid applications must be complete by February 1. In order to meet this deadline, we strongly suggest that the SSS forms be submitted by January 15. If the application is late, the grant will only be possible as financial aid funds are available.
5. It is possible that Ridgefield Academy will admit more applicants whose families qualify for need-based aid than we can support within our limited financial aid budget. In such a case, the Financial Aid Committee will make decisions based on factors such as individual merit and space availability.