I�d like to make a few comments after reading this thread.
I have never been through the tuition/scholarship application process. B�H I am was able to afford paying for mine and other children as well.
That said, having been onThe boards of Yeshivas, Day Schools and Camps; I detested the committee system.
It is demeaning and unhealthy for fellow parents and school staff to have access to and make judgmental decisions about the finances and lifestyles of families. Too much information was leaked/shared and discussed that was hurtful to the applicants.
Years ago in a local city the boards of 6 of these type of institutions turned the process over to the local Jewish Family Service. They set up a committee of professionals who handled the process for all 6 institutions. They received the cost to attend, but not the name of the institution. They received handled each applicant discreetly. The offices had separate entrances and applicants were never in A waiting area where they could see others coming for the interview.
The operational costs was provided by a grant by Federation.
It worked well for more than 20 years. The school administrations were relieved not to be in the position of negotiating and dealing with unhappy parents.
Next: Parsonage
This is a misunderstood concept, it should not be applied to teachers.
In the old days the local church provided a place for the Parson to live. American synagogues followed suit owning a house used by the Rabbi. When clergy started buying and supplying their own homes, the IRS code allowed them to consider a small portion of their salary as parsonage. Often they met privately with congregants in their homes, hosted learning groups and the wife might teach a woman�s class.
Today Parsonage is a term often used by those in their homes religious education world to justify a system of tax avoidance. It is definitely a grey area