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Athletics News
St. Margaret's Announces $2 Million Financial Aid Budget for 2008-2009
Posted April 24
St. Margaret’s Episcopal School has announced a $2 million financial aid commitment for the 2008-09 school year, representing a 12 percent increase over the current year’s financial aid award.
“Financial aid is an important aspect of our commitment to community, diversity and our Episcopal tradition at St. Margaret’s Episcopal School,” said Headmaster Marcus D. Hurlbut. “We want to attract students and families from all backgrounds who are a right match for St. Margaret’s academically and philosophically regardless of financial resources.”
St. Margaret’s practices a need-blind admission and a subsequent need-based financial aid process where applicants are first considered for their academic merits and personal qualities regardless of financial resources. Then, the school works with the family to identify demonstrated financial need and endeavors to provide aid to make up the difference.
Ryan Dahlem, director of admission and financial aid, explains, “No family should be discouraged from applying to St. Margaret’s because of tuition costs. Our financial aid process is unique because we work to fill the total gap between a family’s ability to pay and the total cost of a St. Margaret’s education, including books, uniforms and other expenses.”
St. Margaret’s uses a national calculation developed by the National Association of Independent Schools to determine a family’s estimated financial contribution. Then, St. Margaret’s factors in a significant cost of living adjustment for the high Southern California market.
“We take seriously our approach to financial aid and try to be realistic and considerate of what Orange County families are facing in this market and the current economic climate; even families earning six-figure incomes will often qualify for financial aid,” said Dahlem.
Through private gifts and increased endowment, St. Margaret’s has dramatically increased financial aid funding in recent years, doubling available financial assistance for current and new students since the 2004-05 school year. Small class sizes, outstanding faculty and a broad array of extracurricular and enrichment opportunities are reflected in tuition levels.
Hurlbut added, “Financial aid is very much at the heart of what we stand for at St. Margaret’s. We are deeply committed to being accessible to the most talented and passionate students and families in our community regardless of their ability to pay our tuition. We know that this investment enriches both our school and the larger community.”
St. Margaret’s is accepting applications in the Middle and Upper Schools, grades six through 12, for the 2008-09 school year that begins in September. Interested families are encouraged to contact the Office of Admission at (949) 661-0108 ext. 248.