The Laboratory Schools administration is testing a new pilot program to cover nontuition items for students with Lab-funded financial aid this year.
Every student who receives Lab-funded financial aid qualifies for this new program. Foreign exchange trips are already covered for these students, but this program makes more trips available to them. Students who receive financial aid can now choose to attend either a club trip — specifically for Model United Nations, robotics or debate team — or a domestic trip within the United States and its territories. Students will receive the same percent of financial aid as they do for their tuition costs.
Irene Reed, enrollment management director, said the program was introduced to expand financial support for students to nontuition items too.
“Lab is always attempting to expand nontuition coverage because we know that tuition is only a part of the cost of coming to Lab,” said Ms. Reed.
Ms. Reed believes the policy can allow students to experience things without money being a dealbreaker.
“We know that we can’t cover everything,” Ms. Reed said, “but we also wanted to put ourselves in a position where if a student really wants to do something, that the money is not what keeps them out.”
While it is uncertain if this policy will remain after this year, the administrators continue to look for solutions to support students financially; not solely relating to tuition or school-sponsored trips, but all around.
“We are really continuing to think about other places where we can lend support,” Ms. Reed said. “This is something that is constantly evolving.”
