List of 16 frequently asked questions.

• Q. How do I make a tuition payment online?

  We are pleased to partner with FACTS for online billing and payment of tuition and incidental, tuition-related charges. You can login to view and make a payment related to your Shorecrest billing statement 24/7 at https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/4N1VT

   

  For assistance with accessing your FACTS account please refer to their Parent FAQs or contact the tuition payment plan parent hotline at 1-866-441-4637.

• Q. How do I apply for financial aid?

  Apply online at FACTS and complete the application. Submit your previous year tax return and your current W-2. Instructions may be found on the FACTS website. Download this flyer to learn more about the online application and required supporting documentation. 

• Q. Do you accept State Scholarships from the expansion of Florida HB1 and the Family Empowerment Scholarship? 

  Shorecrest currently accepts a limited number of Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, primarily for students who also qualify for financial aid at Shorecrest. The expansion of state scholarships under Florida HB1 does not affect the amount of state scholarships that Shorecrest accepts. For the 2023-2024 school year, we have already reached the maximum amount of state funding that we accept; we will not be taking any more new state scholarships, including Family Empowerment Scholarships, or anything under the expansion of Florida HB1, for the upcoming school year.

   

  Looking ahead to future school years, Shorecrest will continue to limit the number of state scholarship funding that is accepted, with the priority being focused on students who qualify for financial aid. 

• Q. When is the financial aid application due and how are the funds distributed?

  Shorecrest will accept financial aid applications through FACTS November 1 - January 31. If your information is not submitted by January 31, you may not be considered for aid for the following school year.
  
  Shorecrest awards tuition assistance based on your family’s estimated need from FACTS, the school’s current financial aid budget and the overall enrollment of the school. Financial aid dollars are prioritized for families with children entering in Middle and Upper School (5th-12th grades).
  
  Shorecrest's Financial Assistance Committee determines awards in March. You will receive a letter via email notifying you whether or not your family received aid and, if so, your total award amount for the school year. 
  
  Please note, families must submit a complete application for enrollment, have an admissions decision, and a complete FACTS application before they are considered for financial aid.

• Q. Is a business tax return required from parents who own their own business?

  Yes - if you are a business owner you will be asked for financial information about your business in the financial aid application. Just like for personal financial information, if you have not yet filed your taxes for the year in question, use previous year tax returns or estimates. If you have received income for something, yet you do not have documentation for that income, it is acceptable to enter your best estimate of the amount.

• Q. How is financial aid qualification determined? How much can I expect to receive?

  To help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute to education expenses, we a trusted third party called FACTS. The analysis of a family’s "Estimated Family Contribution” (i.e. what you may be expected to pay) is a critical component of our decision. However, to make our final financial aid award decisions, we use the FACTS figures as the baseline for our own additional review, taking into consideration our total Financial Aid budget, other information we may have collected, our school’s policies and priorities, and the needs of our entire applicant pool.
  
  Shorecrest is not always able to offer families the full award for which they qualify. Of the families who qualify and receive aid, the average award ranges from $6,000-$12,000 depending on the student’s entry grade, family ability to pay, and the overall financial aid budget. Financial aid dollars are prioritized for families with children entering Middle and Upper School (5th-12th grades.)
  
  Apply online at FACTS. Submit your previous year tax return and your current W-2. Instructions may be found on the FACTS website.

• Q. If it is determined that our family has need, will I receive financial aid?

  If your child has been admitted to Shorecrest and FACTS has identified your family as demonstrating need, our committee will do its best to meet as much of that need as possible. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Financial Aid to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but wait-listed for Financial Aid. The sooner you apply the sooner your complete application can be reviewed. Award notifications go out in March.
  
  Additionally, Shorecrest participates in other need-based award programs that may help supplement tuition further. Please see our Affording Shorecrest page for more information. 

• Q. Is there a cost to apply for Financial Aid?

  Yes. FACTS charges a $40 fee to process an application.

• Q. I'm not sure if I earn too much money to receive financial aid. Should I apply?

  Many families who might not expect to be eligible for total financial support still qualify for a tuition break. We encourage all families who are interested in Financial Aid to submit an application. The only cost to apply is a little bit of time and the application fee to FACTS. Application for financial aid has no bearing on admissions decisions.

• Q. Who is responsible for completing a financial aid application in the case of divorced or separated parents?

  Both custodial and non-custodial parents (regardless of legal settlements) who are divorced, separated, or never married are required to submit their financial details. In exceptional cases where one parent cannot comply, the custodial parent should submit an explanation at the end of the online application.

• Q. When will we be notified if we have received an award?

  Once FACTS has received and processed your completed application, you will be notified of your Estimated Family Contribution - the amount FACTS estimates your family can afford for tuition. This happens shortly after you submit your completed application. You will be notified in March of your award amount from Shorecrest.*

  
  *Depending on the number of applicants, financial aid budget and other factors, Shorecrest is not always able to meet 100% of need.

• Q. What plans are available for those who do not qualify for assistance?

  FACTS uses a comprehensive analysis of a family’s financial situation to determine the Estimated Family Contribution. Often times families who have applied but do not qualify for aid are able to re-prioritize some of their financial obligations in order to enroll a child or children at Shorecrest. To find out about need-based scholarships from external organizations, loan programs or payment options, visit the Affording Shorecrest page of our website.

• Q. Will applying for financial aid affect the admission decision?

  Applying for Financial Aid does not affect a student’s admission selection. All admissions decisions are made based on the quality of the candidates and the availability of space in the grade to which the child is applying. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Financial Aid to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but wait-listed for Financial Aid. While all award notifications go out in March, families interested in financial aid are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

• Q. If we do not receive financial aid in our child's first year, is there a chance we might get it in subsequent years?

  Yes. Financial aid awards are assessed annually and may be subject to change based on your family’s financial circumstances, the overall enrollment of the school and other factors. All families, even those who did not previously qualify, are strongly encouraged to reapply for aid annually.

• Q. Will our aid change from one year to the next?

  Possibly. Financial aid is assessed annually and may be subject to change based on your family’s financial circumstances, the overall enrollment of the school and other factors. Families who are interested in financial aid must apply for it each year. 

• Q. What if we have special circumstances that we feel the financial aid committee should take into consideration?

  The best way to communicate any extenuating or special circumstances around your family’s finances and ability to pay for Shorecrest is during the FACTS application process. Submitting that information through FACTS ensures that all members of the Flexible Tuition Committee at Shorecrest become aware of your family’s particular circumstances.