2024-2025 FINANCIAL AID INSTRUCTIONS & FAQ

How do I apply to Bishop O’Dowd High School for financial aid?

New students must have an admissions application in process to be considered for financial aid.

Financial aid applications must be submitted for incoming 9th graders and transfer students on or before February 1, 2024 and for returning students on or before February 8, 2024.

 

What is considered when awarding financial aid and what documentation is needed?

All financial aid is need-based. The financial aid committee considers many factors such as income, assets, minor dependent children in the home, as well as the number of minor children enrolled in tuition charging schools. 

 

To make this assessment, O’Dowd requires:

All pages of either the 2022 or the 2023 Federal Tax Return

Copies of all 2023 W-2 forms 

Copies of all mortgage statements.

 

In cases of divorced, separated, or never married families, both parents fill out and submit a full financial aid application. Each household's confidential financial aid application should include the income of all members residing in their own household only.

 

Your application will be submitted to FACTS, the company we use to assess need and collect income and tax documentation. FACTS requires a fee of $35, paid online.

 

What if my family has self-employment or rental income?

For self-employed families, O’Dowd needs:

An estimate of 2023 net profit (schedule C net income estimate) 

A projection of 2024 net profit will be needed. 

 

For families owning rental property, O’Dowd needs:

An estimate of 2023 net income (schedule E net income estimate) 

A projection of 2024 net income 

 

Since most families will upload a 2022 tax return, these estimates will allow you to answer questions in the application regarding your projected income increase or decrease.

 

How much is a typical financial aid award?

For the 2023-24 school year, in which the tuition was $24,040 per year (the amount left to pay after registration), families received financial aid awards ranging between a minimum award of $2,040 to a maximum award of $22,040. 

 

The remaining tuition balance was financed over 10 months (July through April). Students receiving the minimum financial aid award had a monthly tuition payment of $2,200 and

students receiving the maximum financial aid award had a monthly tuition payment of $200. 

Financial aid awards and monthly payments fell everywhere within these ranges.

 

Is financial aid awarded for all 4 years?

Families must reapply each year for financial aid. However, if there is no increase in the financial profile and all updated financial documents are received, the school will make every effort to award a similar percentage of financial aid for each of the 4 years.

 

Is the non-refundable enrollment deposit subject to financial aid?

The $1,100 non-refundable enrollment deposit is due in March and paid online. It is not reduced by financial aid.

 

When will I be notified if I receive a financial aid award?

Financial aid decision letters will be sent via email at the same time as admissions acceptance letters to incoming 9th graders in March, just before new student registration opens. Returning students will be informed of financial aid awards by the end of May.