FINANCIAL AID AT THE LYCÉE FRANÇAIS LA PÉROUSE

The school considers that the primary responsibility for financing a student’s independent school education rests with the family. However, financial help may be granted upon request.

I - FRENCH GOVERNMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

 A - Requirements to apply for a French Government Scholarship

Family revenues:

French Government financial aid levels are calculated based on all sources of income for the family, regardless of their type. Family resources must be compatible with an allocation scale determined annually. It establishes the level of help granted. It is defined based on the economic and social situation of each country.

Children’s obligation:

They must:

- be of French Nationality;
- reside with their family (mother/father or legal guardian) in the consular district where the school attended is located
- be registered with the French Consulate or French Embassy of their residence’s consular district
- be at least three years old during the calendar year in which school is started
- be enrolled in a school recognized by the French Ministry of Education and follow the French curriculum
- not be too far behind in his/her education when compared to his/her age group

B – Application procedure

 Where?

Forms are available on the French Consulate’s website (consulfrance-sanfrancisco.org), or at the lycée’s Business Office.

When?

Applications must be submitted within the deadline provided by the French Consulate. The deadline for application (to be submitted each year) varies based on the arrival date of the family in the host country.

- Families already established in the country who wish to submit a first time application or renew their application for a French Government scholarship must do so by the beginning of March, 2008.

- A different deadline will be communicated to families arriving in the country during the summer. Their application will be examined at the French Government Scholarship Committee held in October.

How?

Fill out the application form available at the French Consulate or at the Lycée Français La Pérouse. All accompanying documents must be submitted to substantiate the family’s resources and living standard. A list of required documents is compiled every year at the start of the French Government Scholarship campaign held in the spring for the school year starting the following September. All incomplete applications are postponed or rejected.

Submission of your application?

Please make an appointment with Blanche Crabé, Business Manager, (415) 661 5232 to check and sign your completed application. Then, make an appointment with Fabien Camos (415) 616 4913, in charge of French Government Scholarship Applications at the French Consulate to submit your file in person.

What ?

Tuition fees eligible to be considered for a scholarship are annual tuition fees, entrance and first enrollment fees, as well as school bus fees (if applicable and based on family need) and French exam registration fees. Children may be granted a partial or full scholarship, although consideration may be limited to a set maximum tuition fee.

C - The process

The Consular services consider the applicants’ family situation and resources in regards to the allocation scale. They also verify the compatibility of tax returns with the family’s standard of living. A social investigation may be conducted. Real estate and other investments are taken into account.

In case of a reconstituted family (second marriage, domestic partnership, PACS), the couple’s revenues are taken into account. In case of a legal separation or divorce, the ex-spouse’s revenues are also taken into account.

After consideration, applications are presented to a local scholarship committee presided over by key representatives of the French community : Consul général, Delegates of the Superior Council of French Nationals abroad, Vice Consul, Cultural Attaché, representatives of the schools, parents, representatives of associations of French Nationals abroad. Proposals presented by this Committee are sent to the French Agency for French Education Abroad which makes the final decision on allocation after consultation of the French National Committee of Scholarships.

You should know:

French Government scholarships granted to French children living abroad with their families are attributed every year within the limits set by the AEFE’s budget. The level of financial help granted to families may therefore vary from year to year.

 D - Decision

Following the Agency’s decision made after consultation of the National Committee of Scholarships, the French Consulate notifies families on the level of financial help, if any, granted them. Rejections may be appealed through the French Consulate at the Director of the AEFE’s discretion. French Government Scholarship granted is paid directly to the schools.

PLEASE NOTE!

Scholarship applications are independent from school enrollment applications for your children: do not forget to enroll them.

SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS MUST BE RENEWED EVERY YEAR.

For more information on French Government Sholarship applications, please visit the following website: l' Agence Française pour l'Enseignement Français à l'Etranger.

II – SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP - FROM PRE-K ONLY (K2)

 A - Granting Principles

Every year, the Lycée Français La Pérouse allocates a certain amount of its budget for school scholarships and the Seona Hérail scholarship. However, it may not be able to meet the needs of all student applicants. All requests for aid are handled in strict confidentiality. Financial aid is granted without regard to race, color, religious affiliation, national or ethnic origin. Financial aid decisions are made independently from admissions decisions. To maintain eligibility for financial aid, families must keep their accounts current or have made documented arrangements with the Business Office or the Finance Committee. French families may apply for financial help but must first apply for a French Government Scholarship. Their application will be examined after a decision has been reached by the French Government Scholarship Committee.

Financial Need Assessment

To determine need, the Lycée uses the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, New Jersey. Financial aid decisions are made after the Finance Committee reviews the computed Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) from the School and Student Service, the current IRS (1040) tax return and IRS Form 8821.

Who Should Apply? The School and Student Service for Financial Aid provide a common and objective base by which each family’s need can be assessed fairly and equitably. You are encouraged to apply if you believe that your resources are inadequate to meet tuition costs. Financial aid is awarded to students from K2 through 12 th grade.

Financial Aid for Divorced or Separated Families:

The School expects both natural parents to contribute to the cost of education to the extent of their ability. The non-custodial parent must complete and file a Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) given by the School, as well as submit a signed copy of the current 1040 Tax return including schedules, W2, and Form 8821 to the Lycée’s Business Manager.

Renewal of Financial Aid:

Financial aid is given on a yearly basis according to available resources of the school. Families currently receiving a school scholarship must reapply for aid every year. The Lycée mails the forms to all existing financial aid recipients. Families may expect to receive aid as long as their financial circumstances remain essentially the same, their commitment to the schools’ values remains strong and the student’s performance is satisfactory.

B – School Scholarship Application Procedure

All interested applicants should pick up an application form (Parent Financial Statement) at the Business Office or at the Corte Madera administrative offices. These documents are also available online at www.nais.org/financialaid/sss. The deadline to submit your application to SSS is March 2008.

Documents to be sent to SSS (in the pre-addressed envelope provided by the service)

• Parent Financial Statement (PFS) form completed as directed.
• $24 check payable to School and Student Service

Note : the form must be completed in ink to be accepted by the service. Please keep a copy of the PFS for your own records. The Lycée La Pérouse SSS code number is 1907.

Documents to be sent to the school’s Business Office

• Letter explaining your financial difficulties and the amount of help you are applying for
• Current tax return and schedules. If they have not been completed yet, please mail a copy of your previous IRS 1040 tax return and schedules. Financial aid awards will not be confirmed until the Lycée receives your updated IRS 1040 tax return and schedules.
• IRS Form 8821 “Tax Information Authorization”
• Second PFS form for Parents who are Separated or Divorced, when applicable.

The Finance Committee reserves the right to request additional information. Incomplete scholarship applications will not be processed.

III – SEONA HÉRAIL SCHOLARSHIP

This is a merit scholarship, granted by the Lycée upon recommendation of the pedagogical team, to a high school student (9th to 12th Grade) who does not benefit from any other financial help. This scholarship is equivalent to a full tuition, spread across 4 years. 25% are granted the first year and renewed the following years if the student’s eligibility is confirmed.

IV – OUTSIDE FINANCIAL AID

A number of programs in the Bay Area provide scholarships to assist in paying private school tuition. You may consult the following website: www.baprivateschools.com/financing.htm or contact:

Name	Telephone number	Website	For the following grade levels
The Guardsmen	(415) 781-6785	guardsmen.org	K through 6 th grade
The Basic Fund	(415) 986-5650	basicfund.org	K through 8 th grade
San Francisco Independent Scholars	(415) 561-4607	pacificresearch.org	8 th through 11 th grade
Marin Education Fund	(415) 459-4240	marineducationfund.org	*restrictions

*For Marin County residents who are enrolled part-time or full-time in accredited or approved post-secondary education or training institutions, have children age 10 or under, and are able to demonstrate financial need.

This list is not exhaustive and we recommend you conduct your own search for other available resources.