Financial Aid and FAQs

If your family does not currently receive financial aid, or receives financial aid through SSS, please follow the directions below. 

STEP ONE: COMPLETE THE PARENTS' FINANCIAL STATEMENT

Navigate to the School and Student Services (SSS) website, and create an account (or login to an existing account). Carefully read the instructions and complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) online. As you begin, be sure to write your PFS password and SSS PIN in a safe location.

• Create your PFS Online account with your email address and a password. If you applied for financial aid last year, simply login to the PFS Online as a Returning Family, using the email address and password you set up last year.
• Begin a PFS for Academic Year 2026-2027. You can log out of the PFS Online at any time, then return later to complete it.
• After you have pressed submit, you'll be brought to a payment screen. The fee of $60 is nonrefundable. Once your PFS is submitted, it cannot be withdrawn from the SSS system.
• After you pay for and submit your PFS, you'll have access in the PFS Online to a section called "My Documents." You can upload the additional documents we require there.

Be sure to note our full school name, School Year Abroad, and our partner code, 7216, in the appropriate sections of the PFS. Click here for more tips on SSS.

STEP TWO: PREPARE YOUR TAX RETURN AND SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

Prepare your tax return as soon as possible. Then, upload to SSS your signed and completed Form 1040 for the year 2025, including all schedules and W-2 forms. Tax returns must have been received  by February 2026. If you have not completed this year's tax return, please submit your most recent tax return and this year's W-2. 

STEP THREE: FILL OUT IRS FORM 4506-T

Complete sections 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 (enter the type of form you filed - most families file a 1040) of IRS Form 4506-T; date the document, sign and send it to SYA. Do NOT include a check with this form. SYA will pay the fee if we request information from the IRS. The form is available online at www.irs.gov/formspubs. Select form and instruction number (PDF) from the download forms and publications menu. You can also click here for a PDF of the 4506-T form.

In order to be assured of full consideration as we begin to allocate funds, you must submit your completed application by the deadline. We will not be able to calculate aid until we have received all the required components of the financial aid application.

Please note: If the student's parents are divorced or separated, or were never married, each birth parent and spouse (that is, both households) must complete and submit the PFS, current Income Tax Return and IRS Form 4506-T before SYA can calculate an award.

Mail the IRS Form 4506-T to:
School Year Abroad
Financial Aid Office
120 Water Street, Suite 310
North Andover, MA 01845

SYA partners with 49 Member Schools. SYA works with these Member Schools to honor their student’s financial aid awards. Please follow the instructions applicable to your specific case as are listed below.

• If the student currently receives financial aid from an SYA Member School, they do not need to complete the SSS or Clairty application for SYA. The student should select “Yes, I am applying for need based financial aid” on the “Student Information Form" in their application. SYA reserves the right to ask families to provide financial information, if necessary (such as current pay stubs, tuition invoices, tax documents, etc.).
   
• If the student receives tuition remission from an SYA Member School, a Clarity application must be completed.
   
• If the student does not receive financial aid from an SYA Member School but would like to be considered for financial aid with SYA, a Clarity application must be completed. Please follow the financial aid application instructions above.

If your family currently receives financial aid through  Clarity, you may submit your SYA financial aid application through Clarity.
Select "School Year Abroad" when promoted to choose a school.