Please read the enclosed information carefully if you are interested in applying for reduced tuition for school year

2012-2013.

 

The Austin Waldorf School is determined to make an AWS education accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds. Among our families are those who can afford tuition at the highest level and whose philanthropic generosity provides a vital component of annual operating expenses. There are also those families who manage to pay full tuition only by making substantial sacrifice, those who are able to afford only minimal tuition and a full spectrum in between. 

 

Additionally, circumstances such as loss of employment, new business starts or unusual medical expenses may impact a family’s financial means dramatically from one year to the next. At Austin Waldorf, we understand that change is a part of life and that continuity of your child’s educational environment is critically important during times when other factors may put unusual stress on parents and guardians. 

 

We don’t want to lose families who have chosen an AWS education simply because tuition costs are beyond their reach. For that reason we offer both Financial Aid for families who qualify and a monthly payment plan for families whose income allows them to pay full tuition, but for whom paying tuition in a lump sum before school starts may be difficult.

 

It is important to our accreditation processes that AWS follow the “best practice” guidelines determined by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) program. Please keep in mind that timing and careful compliance with our process is important in receiving financial aid. You must qualify prior to receiving a full tuition contract (it is important to return the Request for Financial Aid form to the business office or your re-enrollment contract will automatically be issued at the full-tuition rate). You are required to re-qualify annually, even if you already receive a reduction in your tuition in the current school year and/or past years. Also, you are required to substantiate the information submitted on your Parents’ Financial Statement by providing the school with a copy of your tax return by the deadline. Financial aid is funded almost completely out of the school’s operating funds, so our budget is limited. A late application could severely impact your financial aid allocation.

 

 

The deadline for submitting the 2012-2013 financial aid applications to SSS is January 15, 2012.  Applying online speeds the process. You may apply online at the School and Student Services(SSS) website. The Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) application is available here and on the SSS website's Forms and Resources for Families page.  Please make sure that, in addition to submitting your application directly to SSS, you return the AWS Financial Aid Request Form directly to the school as well as the SSS Business and Farm statement if you are a business owner. All financial information submitted as a part of the process is held in strict confidence by the school’s Administrator and Finance Director. 

 

Answers to frequently asked questions about the Financial Aid process are available here, or you may phone the school’s business office at 288-5942 extension 102, or email .