Information for Schools

New Students – Those families who are awaiting an admissions decision are expected to submit an FEF/PYM Application Form as part of their application for tuition aid to the school. Schools should notify PYM of any student whose status is still pending as of April 1st.

Fund Restrictions – These funds are donor-restricted. Grants are intended to give Quaker families enhanced affordability at Friends schools. In practice, this means that schools that accept these tuition aid funds agree that the amounts shall be in addition to, and not in place of, other tuition aid credits for Quaker children.

Compliance with these Guidelines – PYM welcomes inquiries from schools, and looks forward to working collaboratively to ensure that Quaker families get the full benefit of these resources. Please see the following “Common Practices of Schools” below.  The PYM Education office will welcome inquiries from schools, and will be happy to provide examples of practices that satisfy the fund restrictions in a variety of contexts. We look forward to working collaboratively with schools to ensure that Quaker families get the full benefit of these resources.

Award Distribution: Awards from the Fund take the form of grants, paid during the first week of October. Checks are sent to the schools, in a lump sum for all participating students at each school.

 

Common Practices of Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Friends Schools Handling Friends Tuition Grants for Friends Children Attending Friends Schools


One member of the School's tuition aid committee has:

  1. At least one year of experience on the committee.
  2. Knowledge of the source of funds to be distributed as well as knowledge of any restrictions on those funds. Recognition that some Friends Meetings have a need-based eligibility standard while others do not and that Philadelphia Yearly Meeting has a distinct set of criteria.
  3. Clear and direct communication with PYM as well as with the clerk of the tuition aid committee of the Friends meetings from which members’ children apply.

The School's tuition aid committee:

  1. Has written philosophy, eligibility and procedures for tuition aid distribution.
  2. Promotes transparency by sharing standards in printed form or through a web page.
  3. Strives to maintain level of support through graduation.
  4. Maintains confidentiality of applicants and/or recipients.
  5. Makes certain that no deduction is made to a Quaker student’s aid package because of funds anticipated from Friends sources.  If a Quaker student’s tuition aid package exceeds school policy the aid from Friends sources is declined or redistributed among Quaker children.
  6. Sends a note of appreciation to outside groups supplying aid.
Language from The Jonathan E. Rhoads Endowment Fund for Friends Education for Friends Children and PYM standard currently in use:
  1. At least one parent of a student receiving tuition aid from Philadelphia Yearly Meeting must have been a member of a PYM monthly meeting continuously for the previous one year before the effective semester commences.
  2. Schools that accept these tuition funds agree that the amounts shall be in addition to, and not in place of, other tuition aid and credits for Quaker children.
  3. Some form of Quaker history/beliefs must be taught at some point in the curriculum of the schools receiving these funds.

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