Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid is award on the basis of a family's financial need. A variety of criteria are considered, including income (taxable and nontaxable), assets, number of dependents, age of parents, number of children attending tuition-based schools, number of parents who are working, etc. This information is balanced with data about living expenses, medical costs, indebtedness, and other factors such as child support and legal expenses. 2012-2013 financial aid applications are due February 10, 2012.

To gather information and objectively evaluate it, OWS subscribes to School and Student Serves (SSS) for Financial Aid, a service provided by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS).

All discussions and decisions about financial aid applicants are kept strictly confidential.

What is the range of income of current OWS financial aid recipients?

In the 2011-2012 school year, the income level ranges between $30,000 and $260,000.

What percentage of tuition is awarded?

In past years, financial aid awards met 5%-90% of an individual tuition.

Do families get financial aid every year?

Families must apply for financial aid each year. The size of awards will depend upon demonstrated need and the number of applicants.

Accepted students will be notified of their financial aid award when they receive their letter of acceptance and contract.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

By the Febraury deadline :  February 10, 2012
Submit directly to the "School and Student Service" (SSS): after November 1, 2011

1. Parents' Financial Statements (PFS) - Original

a) You may complete the PFS online by going to www.sss.nais.org and entering the page for families.

OR

b) You may request a hard copy of the PFS form from the Business Office and send the completed PFS by mail.

 Be sure to complete all applicable fields and schedules and provide the required explanations. In particular, the Non-Cash Income Schedule 8c MUST be completed.

Submit directly to the Open Window School Business Office:

1. A copy (not the original) of your 2011* income tax return (including all schedules)
2. A copy (not the original) of your 2011 W-2 form(s)
3. A copy (not the original) of (each) PFS**
4. If applicable, the SSS Business/Farm Statement submitted to the Open Window School Financial Aid Office. This form may be found online by going to www.sss.nais.org and navigating to the Download Forms section under the Admission and Financial Aid tab in the website for families. Or you may request a copy from the OWS Business Office.

*If your 2010 income tax return is not available, please submit a copy of your 2010 return (including all schedules) and a cover memo explaining any significant differences in financial information between 2010 and 2011. A copy of the 2011 tax return may be requested prior to financial award offer.

** If you are separated or divorced, a separate PFS from each parent is required. The PFS from the parent not submitting the primary application, should be sent directly to the Open Window School/Vista Academy Business Office – not to SSS.

Please contact Michelle Gretsch, Controller, at 425.747.2911, ext. 415 or faoffice@ows.org if you have any questions.