Q. How much financial aid is available?
A. Each year we budget over $80,000 for financial aid, including travel aid.

Q. Is aid need-based or merit-based? Are there any special scholarships I might qualify for?
A. All aid is need-based, with one exception: residents of the state of New Mexico receive a full program fee waiver, due to a special grant restricted for that purpose.

Q. How do I apply for aid?
A. Have a parent complete the Financial Aid Application, which is included as the last two pages of the application document, and is also available as a separate download.

Q. What constitutes "need" (will I qualify)?
A. The Financial Aid Application is designed to help the Financial Aid Committee judge how much your family can afford to pay. Major considerations include income, other educational expenses for you and your brothers and sisters, and special circumstances such as unusual expenses or recent unemployment. If your family's income exceeds $100,000 you are not likely to qualify unless there are special circumstances.

Q. What are my chances of receiving aid?
A. That depends on your family's financial situation. Last year we granted partial or full aid to 27 families out of 72, with an average grant of about $3,000. In a few cases, we gave more aid than was requested. Don't assume you will not qualify for aid; if in doubt, ask your parent to apply.

Q. My parents can easily afford the program fee, but they just don't want to spend that much on a summer program. Should I ask them to apply for aid anyway?
A. It doesn't hurt to try, but in that situation the better approach is to persuade your parents that SSP is worth the money. Ask them to read the comments from parents. Suggest they call the Executive Director at 866.728.0999 to discuss their questions and SSP's potential benefits to your education and development.

Q. Is financial aid available to international students?
A. Yes, financial aid decisions are made without regard to country of citizenship or residence. International students should provide translations of income tax forms and other documents that are not in English.

Q. Does aid also cover airfare?
A. We will consider airfare in determining how much aid to offer. Several families each year qualify for a full scholarship plus airfare. We limit travel assistance for overseas students to $500.

Q. Is there a deadline for the aid application?
A. Yes, the same deadlines apply as for the rest of the application (see instructions).

Q. The program fee includes room & board, but are there other fees or expenses? How much money should I bring with me to campus?
A. We suggest $100-$200 for incidentals such as laundry, soft drinks, and souvenirs. Everything else is included.

Q. Are there other sources of scholarships to SSP?
A. Students can often raise money themselves, from extended family (grandparents, aunts and uncles, etc.), neighbors, family friends, or local businesses. Some hold car washes or other weekend fundraisers. Be creative!

Q. When will I find out about my financial aid?
A. As soon as the Admissions Committee recommends you for admission, your financial aid application goes to the Financial Aid Committee. They usually make their decision quickly, and we include any financial aid with your other enrollment documents.