Financial Aid
TRIS provides financial aid to a limited number of families who have demonstrated eligibility through an objective assessment of their financial position made by the School & Student Services (SSS) of the National Association of Independent Schools and by the TRIS staff.
Financial Aid Overview
The Renaissance International School (TRIS) has established a financial aid program to help it fully enact its vision. One of our missions is to help students avail of our Montessori program from a very young age through elementary and even middle school. To accomplish this goal, we commit to families through these years and strive to help families remain part of the community through financial stress or uncertainty.
In addition, we value creating an economically diverse student community with students from many backgrounds. We are committed to helping students from families that cannot afford the cost of education at an independent school. We fund our school's financial aid program through a combination of resources, including direct contributions from the parent community and allocations from general operating income. We reserve the school's financial aid for families with no alternative to acquiring financial assistance. The primary responsibility for financing education rests with the parents of the student. Financial aid is a supplement.
TRIS provides financial aid to a limited number of families who have demonstrated eligibility through an objective assessment of their financial position made by the School & Student Services (SSS) of the National Association of Independent Schools and by the TRIS staff. The information regarding the family contribution computed by SSS is only a guideline for making financial aid decisions. We define financial need as the difference between what it costs to attend TRIS and a family's ability to pay. Only some families eligible for financial aid will receive it because of the school's limited budget.
We do not discriminate based on gender, race, color, national or ethnic origin, or sexual preferenc
Awards
All financial aid will be awarded on a one-year basis only.
Each family must reapply for financial aid each year. Generally, the financial assistance limit awarded to students is less than 50% of the tuition cost. Financial aid covers the 12-month tuition costs, including all daycare and summer school but not additional costs of attendance, such as uniforms.
Special Circumstances
For divorced or separated parents, parents and their spouses must submit complete financial information, including a Parent Financial Statement, to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid of the National Association of Independent Schools.
In the case of other adults living in the student's household (regardless of the parent's marital status), TRIS requires complete financial information from them. In addition, the school reserves the right to ask for additional information from non-custodial households.
Families who own a business may be required to submit documents such as cash flow statements, balance sheets, and any other information relevant to their business. We will not consider ordinary business or rental depreciation or loss in calculating financial needs.
Both parents in many of our families work to maintain income sufficient to provide independent school education for their children. It is unfair to ask these dual employment families to subsidize the educational costs of a family who chooses not to work at a level their education and abilities permit. For this reason, TRIS will not grant financial aid to a family unless both parents work full-time (a minimum of 40 hours a week). Certain extenuating circumstances may be exempt.
Any financial support that may be available beyond the parents' income and assets should be reported on the PFS for consideration by the school. These might include resources from grandparents and other relatives. In addition, we also expect financial documents from anyone making financial contributions to the household of the custodial parent.
Financial Aid Process for 2025-2026
The Financial Aid Process for the 2025-2026 School Year:
- Complete and submit the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online at sssbynais.org. Your 2024 financial information may be estimated. Submit the PFS online to SSS by February 27, 2025. (TRIS code for SSS is 4439).
- Complete it, and then upload the completed form along with all other required forms and documents to SSS by February 27, 2025, and include the following:
- Signed copies of 2024 tax returns, W-2, and all supporting schedules for all parents (custodial and non-custodial) and their spouses
- In addition, we expect families to submit financial forms regarding any other resources available to the parents or the student, including trust funds, stock options, and financial assistance provided by someone else. Also, financial forms for any other adults living in the custodial parent's household are required.
TRIS reserves the right to request additional financial information from you at any time.
We will mail Financial Aid Award Letters on March 19, 2025.
Please also note that to be considered as a financial aid candidate for the 2025-2026 school year, you must complete the entire application process to TRIS for admission by February 27, 2025, in addition to completing the financial aid application process as listed on this page.
Please contact Adriana Gee, the Admissions Coordinator, for inquiries regarding the TRIS Financial Aid program at (510)531-8566.