Open Window - Financial Aid

Financial Aid Information

Financial Aid is awarded 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. Financial aid applications are due February 3, 2011.

To gather information and objectively evaluate it, OWS subscribes to School and Student Service (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?
The income level ranged between $20,000 and $180,000.

What percentage of tuition is awarded?
In past years, financial aid awards met 5% - 80% 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 February 3, 2011:

Submit directly to the “School and Student Service” (SSS):

1) Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) – Original

a) If you prefer, you may complete the PFS on-line by going to www.nais.org and selecting “School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS)” under the “Admission and Financial Aid” tab.

b) You may send the completed PFS by mail. (You may request a blank form be mailed to you by sending a request via e-mail to faoffice@ows.org.)

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 2010* income tax return

(including all schedules)

2) A copy (not the original) of your 2010 W-2 form(s)

3) A copy (not the original) of (each) PFS**

4) If applicable, the SSS Business/Farm Statement should be

submitted to the Open Window School Financial Aid Office. This

form may be found on-line by going to www.nais.org and

navigating to the SSS section under the Admission and

Financial Aid tab. Or you may request a copy from OWS

Business Office.

* If your 2010 income tax return is not available, please submit a copy of your 2009 return (including all schedules) and a cover memo explaining any significant differences in financial information between 2009 and 2010. A copy of 2010 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 Business Office – not to SSS.

Please contact the OWS Controller, at 425-747-2911, ext. 411; or faoffice@ows.org if you have any questions.