Tuition Assistance
We offer a generous Tuition Assistance Award for students in Kindergarten through Grade 12 as part of Summerfield Waldorf’s commitment to providing our greater community with access to a Waldorf Education for their children.
Through a process developed over the years, and using an outside analysis provided by the company FACTS Grant and Aid Management, the community members who make up the Tuition Assistance Committee engage in a transparent conversation about what each family is able to pay towards tuition costs so that their children can receive a Summerfield education. Questions regarding this process may be submitted to a member of the finance office at: finance@summerfieldwaldorf.org.
2025-2026 School Year
Early Decision Discounts
At Summerfield Waldorf School and Farm, we are dedicated to fostering the growth of young human beings from 18 months through high school graduation. Rooted in our mission to cultivate well-rounded, compassionate, creative, and critical thinkers, we strive to guide students through each developmental stage with intention and care.
In alignment with this mission, we are pleased to offer an Early Decision Discount for prospective families of 9th-graders who are not yet currently enrolled at Summerfield Waldorf, but are committed to beginning an experiential educational arc with us, starting in Grade 9, their for high school years of Grade 9-12. The discount is applied in their first year with us in Grade 9. Click here for full discount details, enrollment process, and deadlines.
2025-2026 Tuition Assistance Timeline
Tuition Assistance Timeline Table PDF
| Tuition Assistance (TA) Applications | Rising 9th Grade families following the Early Decision Timeline | Rising 9th Grade Families NOT following the Early Decision Timeline and Perspective High School Families | All Other Families (Kindergarten – 8th grade and returning High School) |
|---|---|---|---|
| TA Applications Open: | November 15, 2024 | December 1, 2024 | December 1, 2024 |
| TA Application Due: | December 2, 2024 | January 17, 2025 | February 7, 2025 |
| Award Sent to Families: | December 16, 2024 | February 7, 2025 | February 28, 2025 |
| Award Acceptance Deadline: | January 6, 2025 | February 14, 2025 | March 7, 2025 |
2024-2025 School Year
We offer generous Tuition Assistance for Kindergarten through Grade 12 students, however there are no financial aid programs available for Preschool at this time. Please note: Tuition Assistance awarding for the current 2024-2025 school year has been completed.
If you have questions about affordability, please reach out to our Finance Office as additional awards will be reviewed on a case by case basis for Kindergarten-Grade 12 students. We encourage those wishing to apply for financial aid in the upcoming 2025-2026 school year to do so by February 7, 2025 deadline.
Tuition Assistance in 2024-2025
| By Grade | % of Total Students Awarded | Average Assistance Award |
|---|---|---|
| Kindergarten 5-Day | 35% | $8,870 |
| Grade 1 | 43% | $7,261 |
| Grade 2-8 | 44% | $8,794 |
| Grade 9-12 | 66% | $13,853 |
How to Apply
Please do not apply for Tuition Assistance until AFTER you have completed the enrollment application to the school. New applicants can apply for Tuition Assistance once the enrollment application has been completed.
Students with Multiple Households
In the case of multiple households where separated parents in two different households share custody, it is assumed that parents have a joint financial obligation towards tuition (joint custody), and each parent’s financial position will be considered separately based on the percentage of tuition for which they are responsible. Both parents must fill out an individual FACTS application. If one parent claims 100% financial responsibility towards tuition, a legal document demonstrating that sole legal responsibility to support the child is required.
Parent with Sole-Custody
In the case of single parent with a 100% financial obligation towards tuition, a legal document demonstrating that sole legal responsibility to support the child is required. In these circumstances only the sole responsible parent must fill out the FACTS application.
Additional Information
- We offer generous tuition assistance for Kindergarten- Grade 12. There is no Tuition Assistance for Preschool at this time.
- Students who attend Summerfield on an F-1 Visa are not eligible for Tuition Assistance.
- The Tuition Assistance Application must be completed through FACTS. Go to https://online.factsmgt.com/signin/3F63P to login and select the “Start Application” link.
- There is a $40 application fee payable directly to FACTS.
- Where the FACTS questionnaire is asking for “most recent tax return” info, they are referring to your 2022 income. Please complete the questionnaire with estimated 2022 income amounts.
- Once you file your taxes, upload them to your online FACTS application; you may mail all documents directly to FACTS at P.O. Box 8252, Lincoln, NE 68501-2524; or give a copy to the Finance Office who will upload them on your behalf.
- Tax returns for the current year must be uploaded into FACTS in order to qualify for tuition assistance in the next school year. For example, a family currently receiving assistance must have uploaded their 2021 tax returns to the 2022-23 school year application in order to qualify for aid in 2023-24.
First Time at a Private School?
If your family has a student in Kindergarten through 8th grade and is exploring the private school option for the first time, you may also look into scholarship availability through The BASIC Fund, www.basicfund.org. The BASIC Fund is a separate fund from Summerfield’s financial assistance program and offers scholarships based on its own criteria. The BASIC Fund offers scholarships on a first-come, first-served basis to families in financial need. The awards are based on household size and income and cover up to $2,000 of the tuition per child each school year. Here is the Basic Fund website application page to learn more and apply: www.basicfund.org/apply.
Tuition and Fee Schedules:
2025-26 School Year:
2024-25 School Year: