Financially Supporting an Independent Waldorf Education

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Summerfield’s Board and Faculty are deeply committed to keeping tuition as low as possible so that all who want to attend our school can do so. 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 Andrea Trinei, andrea@summerfieldwaldorf.org.

Tuition and Fee Schedules:

2023-24 School Year:

2022-23 School Year:

New to Summerfield?

Please do not apply for Financial Assistance until after you have completed the application to the school. Click here to apply to the school. New applicants can apply for financial aid once the application has been completed.

Important Dates for the 2023-24 School Year

  • January 27, 2023: Tuition Assistance applications for all prospective 9th graders are due. Grants for this group will be offered by February 10, 2023.
  • February 17, 2023: Tuition Assistance applications for all other grades are due. Grants will be offered by March 3, 2023. After this deadline, you may still apply for the second round of grants.
  • April 30, 2023: Upload a copy of last year’s Tax Return(s), W-2(s) and supporting documents. Email andrea@summerfieldwaldorf.org if you file an extension.

Currently accepting applications for 2023-2024

Tuition assistance grants are based on financial information submitted by parents and processed through an independent company, FACTS Grant and Aid. The total amount of tuition assistance funding in the school’s budget is determined by the Board of Directors and is set at the time of drafting the operating budget for the school year. The report we receive from FACTS is a required additional tool for our Tuition Assistance Committee to use in meeting our intention of awarding tuition assistance grants in the most objective way possible.

Tuition assistance is not offered for the following programs:

  • Preschool program (Seedlings & Rosebuds)
    • Tuition assistance is not offered prior to Kindergarten
  • Farm Class program
  • Students who attend SWSF on an F-1 Visa

How to Apply

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.

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.

Other Info

  • 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 Andrea Trinei, TA Coordinator 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 22-23 school year application in order to qualify for aid in 2023-2024.

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