Financial Assistance

Financial aid is a grant, not a loan. It does not need to be repaid. It is awarded based on a family’s financial need. Grants are awarded for one year only. Families must reapply each year. Aid is not guaranteed, even to families who qualify. In most cases, ROBS will ask families to pay some amount towards their child’s tuition.

The money comes from ROBS’ annual operating budget. Our total financial aid budget for 2023-24 was $1,391,849. Tuition funds most financial aid. A portion of the School’s endowment is designated for financial aid. This year, earnings from the endowment covered $92,300 of aid. Other sources of revenue fund the balance.

Applicants for Kindergarten through eighth grade are eligible. Prekindergarten siblings of students currently enrolled in grades K -8 are also eligible. To be considered for financial aid, a child’s application for admission must be complete.

Tuition, student fees, tablet PC package in grades 6-8, new student fee, Prime Time, lunch fee, athletic fees, fine arts fees, and Preschool and Lower School supplies are covered. Expenses not covered by financial aid include uniforms, testing, and tutoring.

In 2024-25, 10% of eligible students received financial aid. The average financial aid grant was $18,972. The average grant covered 69% of total ROBS expenses. Grants awarded for 2024-25 covered from 31% to 97% of total ROBS expenses.

Returning students on financial aid, returning students new to financial aid, and new students requiring financial aid receive priority.

ROBS uses a third party, School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), to collect data and evaluate applications. Applications must be submitted online via https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal. A $60 application fee is paid to SSS. Customer service is provided by SSS.

A copy of parents’ income tax return(s), along with all schedules and W-2’s, is uploaded electronically to SSS. New applicants must submit two years of tax information. (Tip: Prepare your taxes early.) Examples of other required information: value of home, if owned; other assets; debts; size of family; age of parents. For parents who are divorced, financial information is required from both parents. Notify ROBS if there are extenuating circumstances.

If one parent of a two-parent family is able to work but is not working, $24,000—representing what someone working full-time could be earning—will be added to the calculation of family income. However, this amount will not be added if the family either has a child who is not yet in Kindergarten or has a disabled family member who requires care.

SSS determines a family’s discretionary income: Income minus expenses. Assets minus debts. Household size.

SSS recommends what portion of discretionary income is available for education. The School verifies information provided by the family. ROBS awards aid based on the Financial Aid Committee’s determination of a family’s eligibility for assistance, ability to contribute, and how much money is available from the financial aid budget.

• Head of School – Leanne Reynolds
• Associate Head of School for Operations – Paul Mayhew
• Director of Enrollment Management – Kealey Johnson
• Business Office Financial Manager – Marguerite McHard

Information in financial aid applications is kept strictly confidential and is known only to members of the Financial Aid Committee. Financial aid decisions are separate from all other functions of the School, including admission decisions. Names of students receiving financial aid are only known by the necessary support staff in the Business Office and Office of Admission & Enrollment Management.

Begin the process of applying for financial aid early (we suggest by December). Completed applications are due to SSS by March 1, 2025. Missing this deadline could result in reduced aid or no aid. Admission decisions are made in mid-March. Financial aid grant award letters are mailed after spring break so parents can accept or decline a spot by the Common Reply Date.

A $500 tuition deposit and $500 new student fee are due when a family accepts a place for a student. The balance of both fees may be combined with tuition and paid in one, two, or nine installments. Service charge fees for installment payments are waived for financial aid recipients. If paying in nine installments, automatic debit forms with the exact monthly obligation will be sent in May.

• Call Marguerite McHard in the Business Office at 713-623-6938 ext. 309
• Visit https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal for webinars, an ebook, and more resources explaining financial aid.
• Call the Parents’ Financial Statement Application Helpline at (800) 344-8328.