Power Your Financial Aid Using A Financial Aid Assistant Program

Did you know that private school enrollment is steadily growing? According to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), the number of students attending private K-12 schools has increased by 7% over the last decade, with more than 4.7 million students currently enrolled. As demand rises, so does the need for a streamlined and transparent financial aid process—making it essential for private and independent schools to efficiently manage applications, reviews, and awards.

That’s where the Financial Aid Assistant (FAA) program by School and Student Services (SSS) comes in. Designed specifically for private and independent K-12 schools, FAA removes administrative burdens, ensures award accuracy, and supports families—helping schools optimize aid allocation and attract the right students.

Benefits of the SSS and Financial Aid Assistant (FAA) Program for Private K-12 Schools

Financial aid season can feel overwhelming. Between processing applications, tracking down missing documents, and ensuring awards align with school policies, the workload can be exhausting. But what if you could simplify the process, reduce administrative strain, and enhance the family experience—all at once?

The FAA program is your dedicated financial aid partner, helping private K-12 and independent schools manage aid applications with greater accuracy, efficiency, and fairness. The SSS Financial Aid Assistant (FAA) Program delivers fully audited student folders, equipping schools with verified financial data to ensure fair and well-informed award decisions

1. Reduce Administrative Work & Eliminate Missing Documents

Managing financial aid applications can be tedious, especially when dealing with incomplete submissions and missing paperwork. The FAA program takes on this burden by acting as an extension of your financial aid office, meticulously reviewing every application to ensure all required information is included. If anything is missing, the FAA team proactively reaches out to families to gather the necessary details. This allows your staff to focus on higher-value tasks like engaging with families and advancing enrollment goals.

2. Speed Up Award Decisions & Improve Family Communication

Timing is everything when it comes to financial aid. With FAA’s optimized process, families submit their financial information electronically, and the FAA team reviews applications quickly and accurately. This means your school can finalize and communicate financial aid decisions earlier in the enrollment cycle. Providing families with timely and transparent award information gives them the confidence to commit to your school sooner, ultimately supporting enrollment stability and growth.

3. Ensure Fair & Accurate Awarding with Verified Data

Private and independent schools need to ensure that every financial aid decision is both fair and transparent. The FAA program follows the gold-standard methodology from the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) to calculate family contributions with precision. This process ensures that awards reflect a family’s true financial circumstances, reinforcing trust in your school’s financial aid policies.

A recent NAIS study found that 17% of families applying for financial aid through SSS earned less than $50,000, while nearly 23.1% earned over $200,000. This highlights the increasing demand for financial aid across all income levels. By using a structured, data-backed review process, your school can ensure aid is distributed equitably, benefiting both families and your institution’s financial health.

4. Expand Your Reach & Attract More Families

A complicated financial aid process can discourage families from applying, even if they might qualify for assistance. The FAA program simplifies the experience, making it more accessible for a wider range of families—including those who may have initially assumed private education was out of reach. By removing application barriers, schools can attract more qualified students and create a more diverse, engaged school community. A streamlined financial aid experience also strengthens your school’s reputation, demonstrating a commitment to affordability and access.

5. Optimize Financial Aid Resources & Budget Allocation

Financial aid is one of the largest investments private schools make, and ensuring that funds are distributed efficiently is critical. The FAA program helps schools avoid over-awarding financial aid by ensuring that every award is based on accurate, verified data. This allows for better financial planning and resource allocation, freeing up funds to support academic programs, faculty development, and extracurricular activities.

By reducing the time and effort required for financial aid processing, the FAA program also allows school administrators to focus on strategic initiatives, such as expanding scholarship programs or developing fundraising campaigns to support financial aid growth.

6. Receive Personalized Support & Ongoing Expert Guidance

Unlike fully automated financial aid tools, the FAA program provides dedicated support from experienced financial aid professionals. The FAA team understands the unique challenges that private and independent K-12 schools face and is available to answer questions, provide insights, and address concerns throughout the financial aid season.

Additionally, the FAA program continuously evolves, incorporating industry best practices and the latest trends in private school financial aid. This ensures that your school remains ahead of the curve and offers families a seamless, efficient experience year after year.

Make Financial Aid Season Easier & More Effective

Managing financial aid shouldn’t be a burden. With the FAA program by SSS, your school can streamline its financial aid process, expedite award decisions, and provide a positive experience for families—all while ensuring that financial aid is distributed fairly and strategically.

Get Started Today! Meet with one of our experts to explore how the FAA program can support your private or independent K-12 school. Complete our demo form and select “Financial Aid Assistant” program and we’ll reach out.