EXPLO Financial Aid EXPLO is serious about financial aid. For us, making sure that students from all walks of life — geographic, socio-economic, cultural — are able to attend our summer programs is paramount, so we work incredibly hard to provide as many grants and scholarships to as many qualified students as possible. The financial aid process is quite competitive. Please take a moment to read through this and the following pages to better understand the differences between grants and scholarships, the criteria necessary to apply for each, and the path that makes the most sense for your family. Grant or Scholarship? Families who are able to afford the program but are looking to defray a portion of the tuition should apply for a grant. They should not apply for a scholarship. Scholarships are for students who are not able to attend EXPLO without a more significant financial award. The chart below outlines the key differences between grants and scholarships based on our 3-week options. On the following pages, we outline the differences for each program option in further detail.
Grant s
Schol arships
Up to $1,650 (3-week options)
Awards
Up to 65% of tuition
F inanc i a l Need
F inanc i a l Need + Mer i t
Based on
No Depos i t Space guaranteed onl y for s tudent s awarded schol arships
Deposit Payment
Depos i t Requi red
Enrollment Status
Space guaranteed in program
Application Process: Grant vs. Scholarship Grant Process: Enrollment is required before applying for a grant.
YES
Pay Tuition Minus Grant
Submit Completed FAF + Required Materials
Complete EXPLO Application
Pay Deposit
Grant Decisions
Enroll
NO
Pay Full Tuition
Rolling Deadline
Tuition Due: May 1
Scholarship Process: Enrollment is contingent upon being selected to receive a scholarship.
YES
Submit Completed FAF + Required Materials
Enroll
Pay Tuition Minus Scholarship
Complete EXPLO Application
Scholarship Decisions
If space is available, you may still pay full tuition and enroll. Be aware, space is often no longer available following decision announcements.
NO
Submission DEADLINE April1
Sent by mid-May
Family Contribution Due: June 1
Questions? Before applying, we strongly recommend you contact our Admission Office at 781.762.7400.
Grants
Grant Application Checklist
Families may apply for a grant for up to two EXPLO sessions. Grants are awarded based only on the financial need of the family. Award amounts are offered on a sliding scale, ranging up to the maximum amounts listed below.
Completed online student application
Paid deposit
UPLOAD signed and completed Financial Aid Form
Maximum Grant Award/Session
UPLOAD copies of 2020 Federal Tax Return(s) Form 1040 Signature: physical or e-file page
3-week residential option
$1,650
2-week concentration
$1,240
A Note on Taxes: In order to consider your family for an award, we must receive your 2020 taxes by April 19, 2021 We recommend submitting your 2019 taxes as soon as possible as a means of reserving funds while they are available.
If your family can afford EXPLO with up to this amount of financial assistance, you should apply for a grant.
To apply for a grant you first fill out the EXPLO application and pay the deposit. This guarantees your student a spot in the program. The remaining tuition (minus a possible grant award) is due in full by May 1.
Black out social security numbers Do not send state taxes
i
You will receive an email granting access to the Financial Aid Materials Submission Space within two business days of submitting your EXPLO Student Application.
UPLOAD all 2020 W-2/1099/SSI Form(s) Parent/Guardian 1 Forms Parent/Guardian 2 Forms
If sending 2019 taxes first, also submit 2019 W-2/1099(s)
Grant Calendar
Rolling Deadline Grants are offered on a rolling basis until the summer begins as long as there is still funding and space available in our programs. We typically notify grant applicants about awards within three weeks of receiving a complete financial aid application May 1 Deposits become non-refundable. If you received a grant, the remaining portion of the full tuition is due by today.
DIVORCED/SEPARATED PARENTS For families in which parents are divorced or separated, we require each parent to upload all financial information and complete the online Financial Aid Form. We understand it may be difficult to provide this information for both parents, but we reserve the right to make a decision based on the information we do or do not have at the application deadline. NOTE: All parents/guardians listed on the EXPLO student application will receive communications from the Financial Aid Department.
Scholarships
Scholarship Application Checklist FINANCIAL REQUIREMENTS
Scholarship Award Range 3-week residential option $1,650 Up to 65% of Tuition 2-week concentrations $1,240 Up to 65% of Tuition session. We encourage you to be flexible in which session you are available. Scholarships are much more competitive than grants and are awarded based on financial need and merit. Award amounts for each program range as follows: Application DEADLINE: April 1, 2021 Families may apply for a scholarship for one EXPLO Scholarship awards go toward the payment of EXPLO's tuition and fees. Families are expected to contribute at least 35% of the full tuition. Required fees, such as the Miscellaneous Account are covered by the sum of the scholarship and family contribution. Additional expenses (including travel costs and spending money) are the responsibility of the family. The Family Contribution is due by June 1. To be considered for a scholarship you must fill out the EXPLO online student application and submit all materials as detailed in the adjacent checklist. Failure to submit any component will disqualify your application from review. All scholarship application materials must be submitted to EXPLO by April 1. You will receive an email granting access to the Financial Aid Materials Submission Space within two business days of submitting your EXPLO Student Application. Because the scholarship process is competitive, many strong applicants will unfortunately not receive an award. While we encourage you to apply, we want to manage your expectations. Please speak with your child and explain that even if their application is strong, they may not receive an award. We save space in our programs for students who receive scholarships, but we are unable to save space for applicants who are not selected. By the end of May, space may no longer be available for applicants who do not receive a scholarship. Student's Personal Statement A primary requirement of the merit component is a personal statement authored entirely by you, the student. In your statement, please tell us why you want to attend EXPLO, and what you believe you'll contribute to the EXPLO community. Strong candidates don't need to be stellar scholars or athletes; we are just as interested in learning about significant responsibilities in extracurricular activities, at home or a part-time job, or through community service work. What are you passionate about? Tell us what sets you apart from your peers.
Completed online student application
UPLOAD signed and completed Financial Aid Form
UPLOAD copies of 2020 Federal Tax Return(s) Form 1040 Signature: physical or e-file page
A Note on Taxes: In order to consider your family for an award, we must receive your 2020 taxes by April 19, 2021. Submitting your 2019 taxes for preliminry assessment will be sufficient to meet the April 1 deadline. Black out social security number Do not send state taxes UPLOAD all 2020 W-2/1099/SSI Form(s) Parent/Guardian 1 Forms Parent/Guardian 2 Forms If sending 2019 taxes first, also submit 2019 W-2/1099(s)
MERIT REQUIREMENTS
UPLOAD student's Personal Statement
Teacher Recommendation Form (Part of the online student application)
We understand you have no control over when a teacher sends this, but your application is not complete without it. (Required each year for EXPLO alumni and new students.)
UPLOAD student Grade Report/Transcript
Optional supporting material Letters of support, samples of student writing or artwork, list of student awards or special merits. Please do NOT send originals; we will not return them.
DIVORCED/SEPARATED PARENTS For families in which parents are divorced or separated, we require each parent to upload all financial information and complete the Financial Aid Form. We understand it may be difficult to provide this information for both parents, but we reserve the right to make a decision based on the information we do or do not have at the application deadline. NOTE: All parents/guardians listed on the EXPLO student application will receive communications from the Financial Aid Department.
Financial Aid Form (page 1 of 2)
I am Applying for: Program Name:
I Want to Attend:
Your flexibility may impact selections
First Session Second Session Either Session First Session Second Session Third Session
EXPLO at Wheaton (Grades 4-7) EXPLO at Sarah Lawrence (Grades 8-10)
Grant Scholarship
3-week options
List
Grant Scholarship
2-week concentrations
STUDENT INFORMATION
Grade in Sept. 2021
STUDENT’S NAME
Gender
Date of Birth
Male Female Other
Home Address
City
State/Zip/Postal Code Country
Phone
PARENT/GUARDIAN INFORMATION
Parent/Guardian’s Name (#1)
Relationship to Student
Home Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Day Phone
Preferred Phone
Monthly Child Support (if applicable)
Employer
Adjusted Gross Income
Parent/Guardian’s Name (#2)
Relationship to Student
Home Address
City
State
Country
Zip/Postal Code
Day Phone
Preferred Phone
Monthly Child Support (if applicable)
Employer
Adjusted Gross Income
Student lives with (all that apply):
Mother Father
Stepmother
Stepfather
Custodial Parent(s) (specify below)
Select if appropriate: Mother is Deceased
Father is Deceased
Parents Separated
Parents Divorced
Other. Please Explain:
DEPENDENTS LIVING WITH YOU (If more than 3, please add all dependants to a special circumstances letter)
Public
Private
NAME OF STUDENT APPLICANT
Age
School Attending
Tuition/Fees Paid by Family
Public
Private
Name of Child/Dependent
Age
School Attending
Tuition/Fees Paid by Family
Public
Private
Name of Child/Dependent
Age
School Attending
Tuition/Fees Paid by Family
EXPLO Financial Aid Form (page 2 of 2)
STUDENT’S NAME
HOUSEHOLD INFORMATION Do you rent your home?
If yes, monthly rental cost $ If yes, current market value $ If yes, monthly rental cost $
Yes No Yes No Yes No
Do you own your home?
Monthly Mortgage $ Monthly Mortgage $
Do you own other real estate?
$
Property’s yearly income (if property is income-producing)
VEHICLE INFORMATION Vehicle #1 Make:
Model: Model: Model:
Year: Year: Year:
Vehicle #2 Vehicle #3
Make: Make:
PARENT/GUARDIAN FINANCIAL ASSETS List all financial assets such as stocks, bonds, savings accounts, CDs, money market funds, trusts, second homes, boats, motor homes...
Asset
Value
Asset
Value
Asset
Value
Asset
Value
Asset
Value
Asset
Value
Asset in a student’s name (stocks, bonds, savings accounts, CDs, money market funds, trusts, college funds...) Value
Asset in a student’s name (stocks, bonds, savings accounts, CDs, money market funds, trusts, college funds...) Value
SPONSORING AGENCY (If Applicable)
If you are working with an individual, school, group, or organization on submitting this application, please write the name below.
FAMILY/FRIENDS
Do you have any relatives/friends who are enrolled and/or applying for financial aid?
Yes No If yes, name(s):
How do you know this applicant?
FAMILY CONTRIBUTION (Scholarship Applicants Only)
Scholarships do not cover spending money or the cost of transportation to and from the program. Please consider these expenses as you note a family contribution. Scholarship applicants are expected to contribute at least 35% of the full tuition. Please indicate a reasonable, realistic figure your family can afford toward your child's attendance: $
PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING STATEMENTS CAREFULLY
Scholarship decisions will be made by mid-May. By the time awards are made, spaces may only be available for scholarship recipients. (In past years, at least some of the programs filled before the scholarship process was complete, and students not receiving an award were unable to attend the program.) I AM APPLYING FOR A GRANT and I understand that if I do not receive financial aid I will assume full responsibility for paying the program's entire tuition by May 1, 2021. Should I decide to register my child with a deposit and then decide, at a later date, to withdraw my child, I understand the program deposit is non-refundable after May 1, 2021. I AM APPLYING FOR A SCHOLARSHIP and I understand that a space is not reserved unless my child is awarded a scholarship. I have read and understand the above statements. I have filled out the Financial Aid Form as completely as possible. The information is accurate to the best of my knowledge.
Parent/Guardian Signature
Relationship to Student
Date
financialaid@explo.org • The Exploration Center, Financial Aid Department • 932 Washington St., Norwood, MA 02062
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