When should I apply to SJND?
Applications are available in the Main Office and in the Admissions Office in September. The application deadline is Jan. 9, 2009. Office hours are Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Will I be able to afford SJND?
Yes. SJND has financial assistance available in addition to scholarships based on merit and/or specific categories of studies. 

If I indicate that I need financial assistance, will it affect my chances for admissions?
No. Admission into SJND is based on academic ability in addition to good student conduct, effort, and attendance. We also take into consideration test scores, your interview, and recommendations.

Is SJND a diverse community?
SJND is one of the most diverse Catholic high schools in the East Bay. We are made up of 29 percent European American, 24 percent Asian, 22 percent African American, 20 percent Latino, 4 percent Multiethnic, and2 percent American Indian and other.

What does SJND have to offer students outside of the classroom?
SJND offers competitive athletics such as basketball and golf, and clubs and organizations such as Amnesty International and Dance Club. Students also can participate in Pep Band, drama and musical productions, and PRISMS (National Award Winning Literary Magazine).

What percentage of SJND students is admitted to a four-year college/university?
Ninety-nine percent of SJND graduates go on to college. This past year students were admitted into colleges/universities such as the University of California, Berkeley, Yale, and Stanford University, to name just a few. For a complete list of where SJND graduates were accepted from 2004-2007, go to our matriculation page.

Why would I want to attend SJND?
SJND is a small, dynamic Catholic college preparatory high school that offers many opportunities academically, spiritually, and socially. You will graduate from SJND with critical thinking skills, an openness to diversity, and enhanced leadership qualities.

Programa de Asistencia de Matrícula
Preguntas hechas con frecuencia

Who is eligible for tuition assistance?
All families who have a student at or applying to SJND are eligible to apply for tuition assistance. The process has two parts—the Private School Aid Service (PSAS) application and the SJND tuition assistance application or Programa de Asistencia de Matrícula 09-10.

How does the school determine a family’s eligibility for tuition assistance?
All tuition-assistance granted is based on financial need. This is determined from a combination of the PSAS application and the report on each family that it provides to the school as well as information obtained from the SJND application. There is no maximum or minimum family income limits that affect eligibility. We look at family income as well as other circumstances affecting a family’s ability to pay.

Who determines the amount of assistance each family receives?
The SJND Tuition Assistance Committee reviews all applications and determines the amount of assistance to be provided to each family based on the amount of money available, the number of families who apply and each family’s financial need.

Does SJND give out scholarships based on academic merit?
The SJND Presidential Scholarship is awarded to a number of incoming ninth-grade students each year who demonstrate leadership, service and academic scholarship. These scholarships are worth $10,000 over a four-year period. The Presidential Scholarship is available to students who have a cumulative 3.5 GPA in seventh and eighth grade and score above the 80th percentile in the High School Placement Test. A family may apply for and receive additional tuition assistance on top of this scholarship if there is a demonstrated financial need. There is a separate application process for the Presidential Scholarship.

How much tuition assistance can a family receive? Is there a cap or a cutoff amount?
While there was a cap in the past (35 percent in 2007-08 school year), SJND has revised its policy and will no longer use any cap or cutoff amount. Instead, the grants will be determined on a case by case basis, looking at each family’s specific economic circumstances.

What other types of assistance is available?
PSAS also forwards every tuition-assistance application to Family Assistance for Catholic Education (FACE). FACE is a program funded and administered by the Diocese of Oakland. These funds come from contributions and gifts solicited by FACE in support of students in Catholic schools in the Diocese of Oakland. These awards are administered by a committee of FACE; they are not administered by SJND. FACE awards are considered in the SJND tuition assistance needs determination process.

How do I apply for FACE?
The PSAS application is used from both FACE and SJND. PSAS will forward your application information to FACE. There is no need to apply separately.

If I applied for and received assistance last year, do I have to apply again this year?
Yes. Each family must apply every year in order to receive tuition assistance. Returning families who have significantly different economic circumstances this year may receive more assistance than they received last year.

What is the maximum amount that a family might receive?
It is difficult to provide a definitive answer but there are grants based on financial need that may approach 90 percent to 100 percent of tuition costs. Families eligible for this level of aid include those who meet the federal guidelines for reduced price lunches. For 2008-09, a family of four making less than $39,220 qualifies for reduced price lunches.

What is the total amount of aid available?
In 2008-09, SJND distributed approximately $367,00 to 107 students (25 percent of the student body).

We are paying tuition for other children. How does the school treat that expense?
Tuition assistance is based on the need of the family. The process takes into account other tuition-based expenses when making grants. Families who have other children in Catholic education at any level may be considered for additional assistance. The level of tuition assistance received from other schools will also be considered.

What if my taxes are not completed by the application deadline?
In order to facilitate the application process, we encourage you to get your taxes done early. However, the school will accept your 2007 Federal Income Tax return(s) if they are accompanied by 2008 W-2 forms. Your 2008 federal tax return(s) must be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than Feb. 28 for incoming Freshman families and March 15 for all other families in order for the application to be considered.

What are the important dates I need to know about?

Tuition assistance amounts are determined in March from applications received. It is unlikely that aid will be available after the due dates noted above. It is vital that applications for all families be received by the specified due date. Families who have not previously applied for assistance and are unsure if they might qualify, and feel they might be financially constrained to pay the full tuition for the forthcoming year, are strongly urged to apply. Once the timeframe for applying for assistance expires, the school might not be able to provide any assistance to the family.

Checklist

The following items must be submitted to SJND as part of the
tuition-assistance application process:

____ PSAS application form with $20 application fee. Check should be made payable to PSAS. Form and check should be dropped off at SJND no later than February 6 (new students) or Feb. 13 (returning students). Do NOT mail your application to PSAS.

_____ SJND tuition assistance application form dropped off at school or postmarked no later than Feb. 6 (new students) or Feb. 13 (returning students). Accompanying this form must be:

• 2008 Federal Income Tax return (with all supporting schedules)
• 2008 W-2

(2007 federal tax return(s) may be submitted if your 2008 federal tax return(s) is not complete at the application date, but your 2008 tax return(s) must be submitted in order for the application to be finalized and student registration to be completed).