NYSAIS Financial Assistance

OVERVIEW

NYSAIS is committed to its Organizational Principle of promoting professional growth as a critical pathway to achieving its mission. We realize that some schools exclusively serve populations in financial need; and that others can find themselves caught in the spiral where professional development is the best solution, but the cost makes it too great to pursue. Therefore, NYSAIS is willing to consider limited financial support to schools in two separate categories:

1. Access-based, Eleemosynary Financial Structure – Those schools focused on marginalized populations that are funded virtually 100% by charitable contributions
2. Financial Hardship, demonstrated by at least one of three categories:
   1. Accreditation provisions regarding financial health
   2. Structural deficit position with extant recovery plan
   3. Short-term institutional crisis with financial impact

The initial process only establishes a qualifying pool of schools. Receipt of an aid award is not guaranteed. Schools must qualify for the pool annually, with aid granted for the current school year only. A decision in one year does not imply a similar decision in the following year. No school can expect to receive 100% aid for NYSAIS programming.

Note: Financial assistance awards may be applied to any NYSAIS professional learning event. Facilities fees (such as Mohonk accommodations) are separate from NYSAIS charges and therefore are not subject to NYSAIS aid.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Schools must qualify as part of the financial assistance pool for consideration throughout the year. There is a modest application process to qualify as part of the pool. To request eligibility, schools have until February 14 to submit a single email to NYSAIS Support, indicating:

1. The category under which the school seeks aid, and
2. Relevant supporting documents

NYSAIS staff will consider each request individually and inform the school of its status by March 1. NYSAIS may request further documentation to support the school’s request.

SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS

The email request must contain or attach the following information:

Category 1

• Copy of the signed Page 1, plus pages 8, 9, and 10 of the most recently submitted IRS Form 990
• School Mission Statement

Category 2A

• Language from the Commission on Accreditation or Accreditation Report within the last three years, showing recommendations or provisions to address financial hardship
• Copy of the signed Page 1, plus 8, 9, and 10 of the school’s most recently submitted IRS Form 990

Category 2B

• Copy of the signed Page 1, plus pages 8, 9, and 10 of the most recently submitted IRS Form 990
• Board-approved financial recovery plan

Category 2C

• A brief written explanation (not to exceed 400 words) of 1) the school’s short-term impacting event and 2) how financial aid for professional development will help support the school’s recovery
• Copy of the signed Page 1, plus 8, 9, and 10 of the school’s most recently submitted IRS Form 990

NYSAIS personnel may reach out for further detail or other information, depending on individual circumstance.

APPLICATION DATES FOR 2025-2026 AWARDS

Application acceptance begins – January 1, 2025

Application deadline – February 14, 2025

Award announcements – March 1, 2025