Applying for Financial Aid at Baylor
Each year, Baylor awards well over $4.2 million in need-based financial aid. Above all else, we're committed to building the best student body possible. And that means our school is accessible to gifted students, regardless of financial concerns..
Information about Financial Aid Applications
For Current & New Applicants to Baylor
2013-14 Financial Aid Letter to Parents
2013-14 Official Financial Aid Agreement
2013-14 Official How to Apply for Financial Aid
The Purpose of Financial Aid
Baylor School offers need-based financial aid to competitive mission-appropriate students who could not otherwise afford and have access to an independent school education because of financial constraints. The assistance provided by Baylor School makes our school more accessible and affordable, thus nurturing a more diverse and varied community. While recognizing the primary responsibility for financing an education rests with a family, Baylor strives to bridge the gap that might exist between what families can afford to pay and the actual cost of a Baylor education. Baylor School expects families to make significant adjustments in the use of discretionary resources, as well as accessing secondary resources through family, friends, or other organizations. Baylor’s desire is to partner with families, through honest and on-going dialogue, in order to provide this education to worthy students.
Families receiving financial aid are required to reapply every year, and the amount of aid awarded annually will be adjusted based on changes to personal finances or increases in tuition. As applications are reviewed, we will examine necessary expenses and money spent for lifestyle choices to ensure, to the best of our ability, that financial aid awards are not subsidizing “lifestyle” expenditures that could have been directed toward education.
Financial Aid Application Steps and Deadlines
Step 1: Visit the SSS website to begin the financial aid application process
If your family is applying for need-based financial aid, your first step is to become familiar with the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) website. SSS is used by more than 2,400 K-12 schools throughout the U.S. to help assess a family’s ability to pay for independent education. There is helpful information about our process, policies and practices which will answer many of your questions.
Step 2: Make an appointment with Baylor’s Director of Financial Aid and Scholarship officer (online appointment calendar here)
Step 3: Complete the PFS form early in order to meet the deadline
Go to the SSS website (https://sss.ets.org) to complete a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online. This form will be used by the SSS to estimate your family’s need. A non-refundable $37 fee is required. Deadline for PFS application form for day families: February 8. (Families applying after February 8 must submit this form with their application).
Step 4: Provide Financial Documents to Baylor
Baylor’s financial aid administrators make decisions about financial aid, not SSS. Therefore, we require a copy of your PFS form along with copies of your Federal Income Tax Return (1040 form and schedules) including your W2, 1099, or other forms filed by you or your business and provided to SSS (Step 3). This can take some time, so please begin early in order to meet your application deadline. Forms must be uploaded to the SSS website where you will have set up a secured account for your application and documents.
Step 5: Wait for the Result
SSS will determine the amount of aid your family can apply toward your child’s education; however this is not necessarily the amount of aid given by Baylor. Financial Aid decisions are made in March for all newly accepted students and the amount of this award is mailed with enrollment acceptance packets. Students applying after March will be notified via mail as admission decisions are made and aid remains available.