Financial Aid
Application
Students registered for the Jefferson Academy of Music who have paid their $40 annual, non-refundable registration fee are eligible to apply for financial aid. All assistance is given on the basis of documented financial need. As requests for funding often exceed our available resources, priority is given to families with proportionately low income to the number of members of their household and families with medical or educational expenses which require them to seek assistance.
In order to apply for financial aid, download and complete our application form and deliver by mail or in person to 630 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. Please include copies of your documentation of income--do not send originals, we cannot return this paperwork. All material is retained confidentially for future records.
Documentation of income is required in order to provide a fair means by which to assess all applicants for our limited financial aid resources. It is also a requirement of some of our funding sources who underwrite the financial aid provided to our students. The Jefferson Academy of Music is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and shares this policy with many music schools throughout the country.
Income Documentation
Documentation of income is required in order to provide a fair means by which to assess all applicants for our limited financial aid resources. It is also a requirement of some of our funding sources who underwrite the financial aid provided to our students. The Jefferson Academy of Music is a member of the National Guild for Community Arts Education and shares this policy with many music schools throughout the country.
Grants and Donors
Jefferson Academy of Music is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization intended to provide the central Ohio community with innovative and effective music education. Full tuition payments to our organization cover only 65% of the actual cost of providing music instruction to one student for a given semester. Grants awarded to the Jefferson Academy of Music by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Ohio Arts Council, the Greater Columbus Arts Council, the Columbus Foundation, the Nationwide Foundation, the Erdis Robinson Trust, the Reinberger Foundation and other corporate and individual contributors, underwrite administrative expenses and make our programming possible.
Assistance: Payment Schedule
If a schedule of smaller payments would assist your family in affording the tuition costs associated with study at the Jefferson Academy of music, please download and complete our financial aid application and return by mail or in person to 630 E. Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215. When completeing your application, rather than filling out the information under Financial Information make your request under the Special Circumstances section. The tuition for the term will be divided into three payments, with about 40% of the total due one week before the semester begins and the balance in two later payments due on scheduled dates. We prefer authorization to charge those payments to a Visa, Mastercard, American Express or Discover Card whenever possible. It is important to note that this form of financial aid does not alter the obligation to pay the full tuition for the semester. Refer to our statement on withdrawl/refund policy if the student should decide, for any reason, to discontinue participation during the term.
Notification of Application Status
The Financial Aid and Scholarship committee meets in early August to consider completed applications received by that time. Other requests will be considered within ten days after receipt of the completed application. We will attempt to notify you immediately as to the availability and amount of assistance by phone or email in addition to providing you a letter to sign and return.
Awards depend on the circumstances of a family, available funds, and other requests per term. The $40 non refundable, annual registration fee is required of all students. Awards covering more than 65% of the full tuition are generally not given.
Families must apply for tuition annually. Financial Aid is awarded for the current school year only. It is pro-rated over two semesters contingent on satisfactory attendance, participation, progress and payment of remaining fees. Renewal is not automatic and a new application must be submitted each year. A positive recommendation from the instructor is required for financial aid to continue following the first year.
Extenuating Circumstances
If you feel your family requires financial aid in order to cover the tuition amount, but you are unlikely to receive financial aid based on the criteria of the Jefferson Academy of Music, you may still seek other forms of assistance. Begin by filling out our financial aid application and highlight the nature of your need through the Special Circumstances section. You may also apply to pay your full tuition in installments via a payment schedule (see above). Finally, you may seek assistance through a school, church or other organization with which the child you are enrolling is connected. These organizations may be able to provide further assistance or have different criteria which may make your family a better candidate for assistance.
