St. Francis has a significant commitment to financial aid, believing strongly that any student who is admitted should be able to attend, regardless of financial means. More than 40% of our students receive need-based aid (the national average of students receiving aid in Independent Schools is 17%). Financial aid and scholarships for the 2008-09 school year at St. Francis High School exceed $600,000.
Families wishing to apply for aid are encouraged to complete the admissions application process by January 15th and submit financial aid applications (available from the Admissions Office beginning in December) by February 15th. Paper and online applications are both available. If financial aid forms are submitted in February, awards are made beginning in late March and no later than May 1st.
After these initial deadlines, admission applications and financial aid applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with materials reviewed and awards made in a timely fashion, as space and funds remain available. Families are encouraged to apply early, while funds are still available.
The majority of aid awarded is from the general scholarship fund. There are also several specific scholarships named below.
The following are need-based scholarshipopportunities for students fitting specific criteria:
Talented Minority Youth Scholarships – awarded annually in partnership with local and national non-profit organizations that serve at-risk minority youth. These scholarships may be awarded each year to two or more qualified students.
New American Scholarships – awarded to students who are immigrants themselves or who are the children of immigrants. These scholarships are normally awarded annually, but depend on the application of relevant students; there can be one or more New American Scholars per year.
Cawein Scholarships – named for long-time St. Francis High School Artist-in-Residence Madison Cawein, this scholarship is awarded when appropriate to students who demonstrate particular aptitude and interest in art.
Carnighan Scholarships – named in memory of St. Francis High School alumnus Michael Carnighan ’88, this scholarship isawarded when appropriate to a student who expresses financial need and demonstrates integrity, leadership, and enthusiasm to attend St. Francis High School.
In addition to need-based scholarships, SFHS holds a Merit Scholarship Competition for incoming 9th graders each January. Merit Awards include the St. Francis Scholar, the overall winner, who receives a four-year renewable 50% tuition scholarship, and two Scholar Runners-Up, one in math/science and one in the humanities, who receive four-year renewable 25% tuition scholarships. Applications (including shadow day) must be completed prior to the Competition.
