TUITION AND FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

The Watershed School Financial Aid Guidelines and Instructions Academic Year 2010 - 2011

Download this document in pdf format here.

Tuition for 2010-2011 is $16,900

Financial Assistance

At Watershed School we seek to find the best fit between the school and student, and strive to make the school accessible to as many families as possible. We are committed to maintaining an economically diverse school community and are proud that approximately 40% of our families receive financial scholarships every year.

Following is the process for applying for financial assistance:

STEP 1: FACTS Application
The first step in applying for financial assistance is to submit an online application to FACTS, which will look at the big picture of your finances and help assess an amount that your family is able to pay for tuition. The online application can be found at www.factstuitionaid.com. If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, you may speak with a FACTS Customer Care Representative at 1-866-315-9262.

STEP 2: Financial Essay for Watershed School
All families applying for financial aid are asked to submit an essay outlining their need for financial aid and the circumstances of their financial situation. This essay can be 1-2 pages in length and is submitted directly to the Director of Admissions at Watershed School.

STEP 3: Financial Aid Committee Review
Each application and essay will be reviewed by The Financial Aid Committee, which grants financial aid on the basis of demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. The Committee must balance the family’s ability to pay tuition against standards that ensure equitable distribution of awards. Award decisions are based on the FACTS assessment and factors such as income, assets, extenuating circumstances and a demonstrated commitment to a Watershed School education.

Financial assistance will be considered in three (3) rounds. In the first round approximately 75% of the available financial assistance funds are awarded for the upcoming school year. In phase 2 we will award approximately 15% of available funds. Phase 3 will be distributed at the discretion of the committee. Please see the table below with dates and deadlines.

The Financial Aid Committee is made up of the Director of Admissions and other members named by the Head of School who will hold the information provided in the strictest confidence.

Two Financial Assistance Options:

To determine financial aid, the committee will consider and/or recommend the following two options:

Educational Loans
Watershed School partners with Sallie Mae – the nation’s leading provider of private student loans – to offer loans to families who are pursuing financial aid options. To learn more about Sallie Mae educational loans, please visit www.salliemae.com/k12loan. The Watershed School code is 607491.
Financial Aid
If loans do not cover the full amount of financial need, Watershed School is able to provide a limited amount of financial aid. Financial aid is awarded with the expectation that a student will meet and exceed all expectations of scholastic work and community participation. Funds are limited, so we suggest you enter the admissions process early and submit your financial aid application for Round 1 if you anticipate needing financial aid to attend.

IMPORTANT DATES*

ROUND 1
February 19, 2010	Deadline for Round 1 applicants
March 26, 2010	Round 1 award letters mailed with enrollment contracts
April 9, 2010	Signed enrollment contract, deposit, and tuition forms due
ROUND 2
March 19, 2010	Deadline for Round 2 applicants
April 23, 2010	Round 2 award letters sent with enrollment contracts
May 14, 2010	Signed enrollment contract, deposit, and tuition forms due

*Dates have not yet been set for the 2011-2012 school year.

Financial Aid Guidelines

Priority is given to returning students and to those who complete the process on time.
Awards are granted only to families for whom all school accounts are current. If a family's accounts lapse after an award is made, then that award may be revoked or reconsidered
Financial Aid awards are for tuition only, not for fees. If annual school fees pose a hardship for your family, please contact Shoney Sien.
Prospective parents may apply at any time. The application will be processed once the student is accepted.
An application can only be considered after all paperwork has been received by the Financial Aid Committee (see Application Instructions).

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS FOR FINANCIAL AID

Fill out the FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment online at www.factstuitionaid.com. You will be asked for the following:
a. Watershed School’s zip code: 80302
b. Copies of your most recent tax forms, including all supporting tax schedules.
c. Copies of your current W-2 form for both you and your spouse/partner (these can be mailed or faxed).
d. Copies of supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TANF. These can be mailed or faxed to: FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment
P.O. Box 82524
Lincoln, NE 68501-2524
Fax Number: 866-315-9264
If you have any questions or concerns about the application process, you may speak with a FACTS Customer Care Representative at 1-866-315-9262.
Retain a copy of the application for your records.
A personal letter outlining your situation and any extenuating circumstances you would like considered with your application. Such a letter can be mailed or delivered to Watershed School, attn. Shoney Sien, and must be received by the deadline for each round of financial aid applications.
Both parents retain the obligation to contribute what they can afford to the education of their children regardless of any divorce or agreements stating otherwise. Financial need is determined by a family’s ability to meet educational expenses, not on a willingness to pay.
Non-custodial parents must also complete the FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment form by the due date of the round for which the family is applying.
If either parent has remarried, the financial information of the stepparent must be included on the Facts Grant and Aid Assessment form.
If one parent is not involved in the child’s life, a statement to this effect from a third party that is aware of the situation in a professional capacity (a lawyer, therapist, member of the clergy, etc.) may be substituted for the financial documents from that parent.

We strongly recommend that families apply by the above date, as most available funds are awarded in Round 1. This deadline (and all subsequent deadlines) applies to all components of the application: the FACTS application, tax returns, and financial essays.

Download this document in pdf format here.

TUITION MANAGEMENT SERVICES (TMS)

Watershed School partners with Tuition Management Services to manage tuition. If you already have a TMS account, you can access it here: www.afford.com. To enroll in TMS, please call 1-800-722-4867.