Financial Aid
HMI's generous provision of financial aid made the life-transforming experience of the Rocky Mountain Semester available to our two daughters. My wife and I watched with amazement as they emerged from their time in Leadville suffused with confidence, personal responsibility, and a thirst for adventure. - Rinker Buck, Alumnae Parent; West Cornwall, CT
The High Mountain Institute recognizes that the cost of an excellent program such as the Rocky Mountain Semester is significant. High Mountain Institute is committed to making the Rocky Mountain Semester affordable for all accepted students, regardless of the financial circumstances of one's family. In offering aid, we hope to attract students from a wide range of economic, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. Our financial aid comes in three forms. First, the High Mountain Institute offers need-based financial aid for students whose families cannot afford the full cost of the Rocky Mountain Semester experience. Second, students who receive financial aid from one of our Member Schools will continue to receive aid while at the Rocky Mountain Semester. Finally, we have two Lake County Scholarships, which are merit based awards granted to the two strongest applicants from the Lake County High School in Leadville, regardless of need.
Calculating Financial Aid
Like most independent schools, the High Mountain Institute uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools. Based on the financial information each family provides, SSS gives an estimated amount each family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps us make fair and objective financial aid decisions.
Their system examines gross income (both taxable and non-taxable), assets, liabilities, family size, and the number of students in tuition charging schools. After an allowance for necessities and required taxes, the remaining funds are considered to be one's discretionary income. SSS then uses a sliding scale to determine how much of the discretionary income is available for education. The more one earns, the greater the expected contribution. The High Mountain Institute financial aid committee calculates need by using the statement from SSS and last year's tax return. Our determination is based on the same factors SSS uses, but may differ slightly from their calculation because we make allowances for the different cost of living in some communities and adjust for home equity inflation.
Policy for Divorced or Separated Parents
In cases of divorce or separation, each parent should complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS). The family contribution is based on both parents' ability to meet educational expenses; it is based on need, not on a willingness or unwillingness to pay. It is the position of the High Mountain Institute that divorced or separated parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their children, regardless of whether there is a legal agreement to do so. Because HMI interests and policies were not represented in the divorce settlement, we do not abide by its guidelines or stipulations. Instead, we require both parents to contribute as much as our calculations show they can afford.
The financial aid committee will consider a financial aid application once we have received the appropriate paperwork from both parents. The primary exception to this is when the non-custodial parent has not been involved in the student's life for some period of time. We may ask the family to provide more information about these kinds of circumstances.
If either parent remarries, the financial information of the stepparent must be included on the PFS. We will take into consideration individual relationships, financial agreements, and the obligations of the parent and stepparent to their other children when we process the information.
Rocky Mountain Semester Policies
Financial Aid Policies vary widely between our different sending schools. The following list details the policies that govern financial aid for the Rocky Mountain Semester:
Admission to the Rocky Mountain Semester is granted before considering financial aid applications.
All financial aid awards, with the exception of the Lake County Scholarships, are based on need as determined by the financial aid committee.
Parents are expected to support the student to the extent they are able, as determined by SSS (School and Student Service for Financial Aid) and the Rocky Mountain Semester.
It is essential that applicants complete and file all application forms and required tax forms on time. Late applications may not receive full consideration.
All financial aid records are kept confidential. Only the Financial Aid Committee, Head of School, Executive Director, and Business Manager will have access to any financial aid information.
How to Apply
Starting on November 1, 2009, go to sss.nais.org.
Click on the prompt to begin your Parents' Financial Statement (PFS).
You will be given a password that will allow you to return to your PFS at a later date before submitting the final application.
You will be given instructions about submitting required documents by mail. These documents include copies of the 2009 tax returns. Your documents will be handled with the utmost level of security. To read more about SSS's document security, go to sss.nais.org.
Mail the required documents to:
For regular postal service, use this address:
SSS by NAIS
Application Processing Center
P.O. Box 449
Randolph, MA 02368-0449.
For Fed Ex and UPS delivery, use this address:
SSS by NAIS
Application Processing Center
437 Turnpike Street
Canton, MA 02021
If you do not have access to the internet and would prefer to apply by mail, contact Sheri Cerise, the Assistant to the Head of School, to request an application. She can be reached at 719-486-8200 ext 106 or scerise@hminet.org. Once you complete the application, mail it to the above SSS address.
Timetable for Applying for Financial Aid
March 1, 2010No later than this date, all applicants must complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) with SSS either online or by mail. Online applications are less expensive and SSS processes the application and delivers the materials to the High Mountain Institute more quickly. Go to sss.nais.org to apply.
No later than this date, all required tax returns (2009 1040 with all schedules and attachments and W2s) must be sent to SSS.
The complete application for admission to the Rocky Mountain Semester is due on this date. Mail the application for admissions directly to the High Mountain Institute:
Rocky Mountain Semester Applications
High Mountain Institute
PO Box 970
Leadville, CO 80461
Or via Fed Ex to
Rocky Mountain Semester Applications
High Mountain Institute
531 County Road 5A
Leadville CO 80461
Early April, 2010
Financial Aid decisions are mailed to families of admitted students.
May 1, 2010Signed Enrollment Agreement and deposit must be submitted by this date to hold a space in the semester.
After May 1, 2010Financial Aid awards may be granted to new/late applicants on a funds-available basis.