2015-16 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Students’ financial assistance eligibility cannot be evaluated until the application is complete. Applications for financial assistance are not complete until all of the following items have been submitted. Late, missing or incomplete applications will be placed on a financial assistance waiting list. Applicants on the waiting list will be addressed on a funds’ available basis after all other returning and new students/families have been assessed.
By February 20, 2015:
Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS)* online at: http://sss.force.com/familyportal (Available November 3, 2014) If your taxes are not prepared, complete the PFS using estimates. If you have applied previously some of your information will automatically populate the form.
By March 6, 2015:
All required forms must be received in the Out-of-Door Academy Financial Assistance Office:
1) Copy of 2014 Federal 1040 Tax Forms with all supporting schedules and W-2/1099 forms
2) Copy of 2014 Business Tax Returns (1065 or 1120S) and K1 Form(s)
3) Copy of 2014 Federal Tax Return, if filed, for each child for whom you are applying for financial assistance
4) Out-of-Door Academy Supplementary Financial Assistance Form (SFAF)
We realize that the process and documentation outlined above may not always provide the full context of an applicant family’s full financial situation. The Financial Assistance Committee firmly believes that having the most accurate assessment possible of a family’s financial state is critical to ensuring that the awards we make are equitable and provide the best possible support for Out-of-Door students.
To that end, the Committee reserves the right to request additional information to support any part of your financial assistance application that will help further this goal. These supporting documents may include personal narratives, letters of support from those who know your family, or IRS form 4506, which collects official copies of tax documents from the IRS directly.
Should the Committee make such a request in support of your application, we ask that you respond in a timely manner with the requested materials. Applications that do not have requested materials will be deemed incomplete and will not be considered for review of financial assistance.
*School and Student Service (SSS) Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS): The PFS is a third party form, which collects financial data to guide determination of financial assistance eligibility. PFS uses a multitude of financial factors that include family income, assets, liabilities, age of parents and extraordinary expenses. You will receive a Family Report upon completion of the PFS, which will assist you in understanding the methodology that is used to determine demonstrated financial need.
ATTN: Parents who are Divorced/Separated:
The Out-of-Door Academy requires that both biological/adoptive parents as well as re-married couples contribute to the cost of education according to their ability. If divorced or separated, each biological/adoptive parent who shares legal custody must complete a PFS application. If one or both biological parents have remarried, the stepparent’s financial information must be included on the PFS application.
Tips for Completing the PFS:
1) Submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) ONLINE. The data is received at the Out-of-Door Academy promptly. (There is a $41 fee. If you meet certain income guidelines, you may qualify for a fee waiver. Please contact Monica Baldwin for more information.)
2) Read the instructions for each item. The instructions will answer most questions but if you have questions about how to fill in the PFS, you can direct questions to the SSS Customer Service Center by calling (800) 344-8328 Monday-Friday 9am-8pm; Saturday 9am-4pm. (All times EST)
3) Special Circumstances. We recognize that every family’s financial reality is unique. For special circumstances not covered by the PFS, we encourage you to send a separate written explanation to the Financial Assistance Office.
Financial Assistance Timeline:
February 20, 2015: File PFS Application online.
March 6, 2015: Tax return, SFAF and all additional documents must be received in the Financial Assistance Office. (There are no allowable tax extensions.)
April 2, 2015: Families will be notified of Financial Assistance Awards.
April 13, 2015: Accept the financial assistance award by this date. Unaccepted awards will be rescinded.
Requests for Additional Financial Assistance (Appeals):
Our financial assistance committee will reconsider any written information that was not previously considered. If you feel that you have omitted or not appropriately clarified specific financial information, mention this in your appeal for reconsideration. When concerned about your ability to afford Out-of-Door, continued conversation with the financial assistance office often results in creative financial solutions that may or may not include additional financial assistance.
With the initial award, our financial assistance committee attempts to meet as much demonstrated need as possible within our budgetary constraints. Therefore, families will not be notified of any increases to an award as a result of an appeal until mid-summer. This timeframe allows a sufficient interval for the financial assistance committee to review existing resources and prioritize requests. For more information, please contact Monica Baldwin, Director of Financial Assistance at (941) 554-3441 or .
PreK through Grade 5444 Reid Street, Sarasota, Florida 34242
Fax: 941-349-8133 / www.oda.edu / Grade 6 through Grade 12
5950 Deer Drive, Sarasota, Florida 34240
Fax: 941-907-1251