Financial Aid
Finding the right school is an investment in your child’s future.
While we are a tuition-based school, we aim to create a community that is socioeconomically diverse. Our school offers need-based grants to families on a yearly basis. A variety of factors are considered, including family income, number of children, and other necessary expenses.
The Board of Trustees has adopted the policy of funding most of the school’s annual operating expenses with tuition dollars. This decision means that tuition controls the quality of the education Montessori Academy is able to offer.
The primary financial responsibility for a child’s education rests with the parents to the full extent that they are able. While recognizing that some sacrifice is appropriate for something as crucial as children’s education, the Board acknowledges that financial assistance will be necessary to enroll and maintain a diverse student body. Financial aid is based on need and bridges the gap between the cost of tuition and what a family can afford. Financial aid is granted annually and must be applied for each year.
The school expects financial support from a child’s biological parents as well as from the adults a child lives (stepparents and partners). Tuition assistance applications will be processed only when complete information is received from all parties, regardless of marital status. Please be aware that we also believe that unmarried, divorced, or separated parents have an ethical obligation to contribute to their children’s educational expenses whether or not they have a legal obligation to do so. Although a divorced parent may have a court-ordered agreement that s/he is not responsible for paying school tuition, Montessori Academy still requires financial information from that parent.
Limited financial aid is available to applicants who meet the following criteria
- Established financial need (income, size of family, catastrophic circumstances).
- Parental involvement, demonstrated commitment to Montessori Academy and to Montessori ideals e.g., attendance at Parents’ meetings and support of fundraising events, participation in volunteer projects, lending a hand with any special skills you may possess (gardening, construction, etc.).
- Students who show a cooperative spirit, are supportive of their fellow students and who generally contribute to the overall atmosphere, concepts and ideals of a Montessori education.
Amount of Aid
The amount of financial aid awarded to an individual applicant may be up to but shall not exceed 50% of the applicant’s tuition. Financial aid covers tuition only and will not be applied to the Parents Association Activity Fee. In addition, financial aid does not cover any outstanding balance or any applicable fees i.e. late charges, monthly processing fees, extended care, other program fees, activity fees or summer program charges.
Procedure of Application
Completed applications must be submitted prior to April 30th.
To begin, print out two copies of the financial aid application. Use one copy as a worksheet before you complete the final application this will make the application process much quicker and easier.
Additionally, the following items are required to complete the application.
Financial Aid Application 2023
- The 2022 State & Federal 1040 or 1040A Tax Return from all adults who are responsible for the child’s welfare. *If you can not obtain a copy, submit IRS form 4506 and submit along with a $43.00 check made payable to “United States Treasury”.
- W-2 Wage and Tax Statements from both parents
- The last two most recent pay statements from both parents
- Documentation of claimed expenses and Income
To submit your application, please make sure all items are filled out correctly and completely, attach all supporting documents and submit via fax (856) 461-6835, email busmgr@manj.org or mail to the office:
Montessori Academy
Financial Aid Office
28 Conrow Road
Delran, NJ 08075
A fee of $25.00 is required to process the application.
Failure to submit ANY of the above items will delay the application process. Applications WILL NOT be finalized until all of the above items have been received.
School Confidentiality
MANJ will treat all financial information provided by families as confidential . Access to your records is restricted to Ms. Jennie and to those individuals at who are directly involved in the financial aid decision-making process. The identity of all students on financial aid will be held in confidence. Do not discuss your financial aid application or any matters regarding financial aid with any other MANJ staff member.
Parent Confidentiality
We apply consistent standards and policies across all applicants. However, each family’s circumstances are unique and award amounts are based on individualized analyses. Therefore, we ask that parents not share with others the particulars of awards received. When families share details of financial aid awards, false assumptions and expectations are often created. Willful breaches of this confidentiality agreement may require a review and potential repeal of financial aid awards.
