Tuition Assistance Program

Our Philosophy

The Waldorf School of Garden City values and actively seeks a student body reflecting the ethnic, racial, cultural, and socioeconomic diversity of our Long Island community. Our program of tuition assistance supports this diversity by making the School more accessible to families of varying economic backgrounds. While demonstrating this commitment by dedicating a sizable share of the annual budget to need-based support, the School also recognizes that the primary responsibility for financing a student's independent school education rests with his or her family. As a result, the School is not in a financial position to support lifestyle choices that have a negative impact on a family's ability to pay tuition. We expect all parents to contribute honestly toward tuition, including seeking employment in order to help defray school costs.

Tuition Assistance Policies

All tuition assistance at the Waldorf School is need based, and amounts awarded are based solely on demonstrated financial need. Admission decisions are made separately from decisions regarding tuition assistance.

Awards are determined by the Tuition Assistance Committee (TAC), a small group appointed by the Board of Trustees. In determining awards, the Committee relies upon the expected family contribution as calculated by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS), the family's submitted tax returns, and any special financial considerations communicated by the family. Final aid decisions are based on the TAC's assessment of the family's needs and the budgeted funds available. There is always a greater demand for aid than there are resources.

The range of need-based assistance is generally between 5% - 50% of tuition for grades five and above, and 5% - 25% for the early childhood programs and lower grades. Tuition assistance must be applied for annually. While the School cannot guarantee the same level of financial support beyond any single year, the goal is to continue offering an award consistent with a family's demonstrated need whenever possible.

Information related to tuition assistance is kept in strict confidence, and students receiving assistance are not held to different academic or behavioral standards. The School allocates tuition assistance systematically, with priority given first to returning students, followed by new students. Please note that in order to be considered for tuition assistance, the payment of open tuition balances must be current. Families requesting need-based support are not required to make a binding commitment to the School until a decision has been reached regarding their tuition assistance application.

Appeals of tuition assistance awards should be made in writing, addressed to the TAC, and must include additional information and/or describe special circumstances occurring since the submission of the original application. An interview may be arranged by the TAC to fully understand the family's financial situation, including personal and lifestyle choices.

Tuition Assistance Checklist

The deadline for submitting all required items, as outlined below, is April 1st for families currently in the school. Applications received after this date are assessed a penalty of $500 which is deducted from the tuition assistance award. New families are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance as early as possible in their admissions process.

The following information is mailed directly to School and Student Services (SSS):

• The completed Parent's Financial Statement (PFS), appropriate for your family's circumstances.

  • A PFS form must be completed by both of the student's parents or guardians. (Please see the note, below, regarding divorced, separated or never married parents.) 
• For self-employed individuals, please complete the Family Farm & Business Form, available online at www.nais.org.
• Families with other financial resources, regularly assisting with the payment of tuition, are required to disclose this information in Column J of the PFS form.
• The code for the Waldorf School of Garden City is 1081.
• Include a check, payable to SSS, to cover processing fees. <br> <br>

All forms are available from the Business and Admissions Offices. For answers to questions or assistance with completing the PFS and other tuition assistance forms, we encourage families to contact School and Student Services directly at (866) 387-2601.

The following additional information is submitted to the Waldorf School of Garden City, Attention: TAC, for each parent completing a PFS form:

•  Copy of the PFS form submitted to SSS. 
• Copy of current year W-2 and/or 1099 tax forms. (New families are requested to include two years.)
• Copy of current year Federal Tax Return, including all schedules. For self-employed individuals, please submit a copy of both business and personal tax returns. (New families are requested to include two years.)
• A written explanation of any special circumstances you want the TAC to be aware of.

Please note that incomplete or delayed information regarding any of the above items may result in a reduction in the amount of tuition assistance offered and the School reserves the right to require additional documentation of family resources when determining financial need.

Requests for tuition assistance are reviewed only after the enrollment contract and appropriate deposit have been received. Should the amount of assistance awarded be insufficient to meet a family's anticipated need, the student contract may be withdrawn and the deposit refunded for up to 30 days after notification regarding the tuition assistance award.

Important note regarding divorced, separated, or never married parents: It is the School's position that both parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their child(ren), whether or not there is a legal agreement between them to do so. Therefore, the School considers the financial situation of both parents and requires that each complete and submit a PFS Form to SSS, along with the appropriate tax forms and schedules to the school.