Financial Aid

The Academy In Manayunk (AIM) believes that all children who learn differently deserve the opportunity to benefit from the research-based, multi-sensory, "live-it-learn it" methodology developed by Sally L. Smith at The Lab School of Washington®.  It is, with this in mind, that we have allocated approximately ten (10%) percent of our tuition budget towards financial aid.  The average financial aid grant ranges from $5,000 to $15,000 with approximately 17% of our students receiving some form of financial aid for the 09-10 school year.  The maximum grant for financial aid is $15,000/ school year (55% of the $27,500 tuition).  In addition to granting financial aid to qualified families, AIM makes available several payment plans to allow parents to meet expenses in the manner that best fits their financial circumstances.

Financial aid grants are awarded on a needs-based assessment and are evaluated yearly following the enclosed guidelines:

Need-based Financial Aid-Policies and Guidelines

  • Any student attending or applying to AIM may apply for financial aid.
  • To determine the need for financial aid, the Academy In Manayunk utilizes the criteria employed by the School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, N.J.  Families applying for financial aid must complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) and send it with the processing fee to SSS or you may submit the PFS online to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid by visiting their website: http://sss.nais.org         AIM's ID for SSS:  4415
  • Parents who are separated or divorced must each file an individual PFS form. 
  • In the interest of equity, if a parent chooses to stay at home and not seek employment, the Financial Aid committee will add an additional basic income of $15,000 for the non-working parent. (An exception is made if the parent is at home caring for a non school-aged child.)
  • If multiple children attend independent/ tuition-charging schools or colleges, it is expected that the family apply for financial aid at all schools.
  • If a parent returns to school, elects to change jobs or a sibling chooses to enroll in a 5th year advanced degree program resulting in a decrease in family resources, AIM cannot underwrite this family's choice with greater financial aid.
  • If one parent is temporarily unemployed and not disabled, the FA Committee will review past year's employment and may recommend educational loans before considering a financial aid award.  If a financial aid award is given, the unemployed parent must participate in quarterly financial aid reviews to report a continued job search.
  • Financial aid grants are annual and a family must reapply yearly.

Outside Funding

Allocating Financial Aid

  • The primary financial responsibility for financing a student's education rests with his/her family. The family should investigate all other sources of financial support such as grandparents, churches, synagogues and community resources.
  • When allocating financial aid, first priority is given to continuing to support current students who are re-enrolling in AIM and who are already receiving financial aid.  Continuation of financial aid is contingent upon the family's continually meeting the commitment to pay their share of the financial responsibilities in a timely fashion.
  • Next priority is given to current families requesting aid and then to new students.
  • A family's need for financial aid does not influence the admission process.  Admissions decisions are made separately based on the student's learning disability/difference and his/her needs and whether AIM can meet those needs.  New students' requests for financial aid are considered once the enrollment contract and the deposit have been sent in to the Admissions Office.  If the family does not deem that the financial aid is sufficient to allow the family to send their child to AIM, then the deposit will be returned.
  • Because financial aid funds are limited; the funds are allocated on a first come, first-served-basis.  The earlier a financial aid request is made, the more likely those funds will be available and a financial aid award may be made.