How does one afford tuition at Oakland Hebrew Day School?
To assist families in making this investment, OHDS offers a financial aid program to qualifying families through the School and Student Service in New Jersey.

Who receives financial aid assistance?
OHDS is committed to socio-economic diversity among its students.  We have a strong financial aid program.  Financial aid decisions are made independently of admissions decisions and in no way affect a candidate’s changes for admission.

Who should apply for financial aid?
Parents who have thoroughly pursued all other avenues (for example, help from extended families and reasonable equity loans) in planning for educational costs and who can document their need for further assistance may apply for financial aid.  A Parent’s Financial Statement form from the School and Student Service for financial aid can be found in your Application for Admissions packet.  For additional Financial Aid applications, please contact the Admissions Office at 531-8600, extension 26.  Please note that to be eligible all tuition owed for the current school year must be paid in full before a new financial aid agreement can be awarded.

How is the family’s need determined?
Like other independent schools, OHDS subscribes to the School and Student Services for Financial Aid organization (SSS) in Princeton, New Jersey.  After families submit financial information, the OHDS Financial Aid Committee reviews all documents and the SSS recommendation to determine an amount that each family can be expected to pay for educational expenses.  NOTE: For students with divorced or separated parents, both parents must submit financial information.  All financial information submitted as part of the application for financial aid is kept completely confidential.

How does one apply for aid?
Following you will find the step by step process to apply for financial aid:

1. Enclosed in your Admissions Packet you will find the following information:

1. The SSS Parent Family Guide to Financial Aid.  This pamphlet gives an overview of what financial aid is and the process SSS uses to determine the amount families can be expected to pay towards education.
   
   
2. The Parent Financial Statement (PFS). Complete and submit the PFS to SSS in Princeton, NJ.  Have the results of your application sent directly to OHDS.  Our school code is 5505.
   
   Request a proof of mailing certificate from the post office.  If the parents of the student are divorced or separated, each must complete and submit this form.  Please make a copy of your statement for OHDS.
   
   
3. Submit the following documents directly to OHDS to the Business Office by the Financial Aid deadline.

1. A copy of your completed Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS). 
        
2. The post office proof of mailing certificate.
   
   
3. Copies of your most recent federal and state income tax returns including all page and schedules.
   
4. Tax form 4506. This authorizes the school to contact the IRS to verify the information on the PFS.  Please include the completion of this form for each individual who has submitted a PFS.
   
   
5. Any information or letters explaining special circumstances.

If the parents of the students are divorced or separated, we require the most recent federal income tax form (1040) for both parents. In addition, if a custodial parent is remarried and has filed a separate federal income tax return, we require the 1040 from the marriage partner of the custodial parent as well.

How does OHDS award financial aid?  
Once we have the necessary documents from the family, the school can proceed with the financial aid process. The Financial Aid Committee makes award decisions based on the SSS report and adjustments for other factors such as geographic cost of living differences. We also have to consider the amount of financial aid available and the number of students applying for it.

What are the deadlines?
New students must mail financial aid applications to SSS by January 31, 2006. Copies and the supporting tax returns are due to OHDS by January 31, 2006.  Re-enrolling families must mail financial aid applications to SSS and provide copies and supporting tax returns to OHDS by the date indicated on re-enrollment contract.  It is highly recommended that those interested in financial support submit the required information as soon as possible.  The Financial Aid Committee meets on a regular basis to review aid requests.  Once all documentation has been received, this committee determines if an award will be granted and in what amount. As the year progresses and the committee awards aid, the amount of available financial aid diminishes.

Any more questions?
Applying for aid may seem complex.  If at any point you find yourself confused about the process, please do not hesitate to call the Business Manager, Susan Schickman at 510-531-8600 ext. 14 or Business@ohds.org.