Episode 26: Accessible, Affordable Independent Schools, with Vice President Mark Mitchell

Determining financial aid is more an art than a science, explains Mark Mitchell, NAIS Vice President of Access and Affordability, in this episode of the Net Assets Podcast. Every independent school has a unique set of resources, applicants and mission-aligned goals that makes the process at each school different. On the whole, however, schools have been offering more financial aid to wealthier families and less to families with high financial need since the Great Recession of 2008. At the same time, financial aid budgets have been creeping upwards. Mitchell discusses with NBOA President and CEO Jeff Shields how school business leaders can work toward a "both/and" mindset and lead goal-oriented discussions about financial aid allocations. They also discuss effective governance practices and financial aid in higher education versus independent schools.