Tuition Assistance

Shepherd Valley Waldorf School Tuition Assistance is a need-based program provided to help qualifying families with school tuition. Applicants apply to FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment. This organization provides the school a standardized assessment of a family’s finances and recommends an amount for their contribution to educational expenses. The FACTS analysis is based on the prior year income and expenses and current family assets. Shepherd Valley‘s Tuition Assistance Committee then reviews the recommendations, requests any additional information needed, and makes award decisions.

As you complete the Tuition Assistance application, you should know that the information that you provide will be seen only by FACTS and the Tuition Assistance Committee, which holds all records in complete confidence.

Tuition Assistance Guideline

  • Tuition assistance is available based on assessment of the family’s financial need, demonstrated commitment to Waldorf education and the availability of funds.
  • Maximum awards are 40% of tuition for Pre-K/Kindergarten, and 50% of tuition for grades.
  • 2 and 3-day Kindergarten programs are eligible for tuition assistance if there is a sibling in the 5-day Kindergarten program or the grades program.
  • Sweet Pea and Summer Camp programs are ineligible for tuition assistance.
  • Returning Shepherd Valley families are given priority consideration for assistance.
  • New applicants to the school may apply for tuition assistance only after the child is accepted
  • Materials fees and Enrollment Deposits are not eligible for tuition assistance.

Tuition Assistance Timeline

  • Consideration for Tuition Assistance is assured only for qualifying applications submitted by February 15th.
  • After February 15th, funds are awarded as applications are received based on continued availability of funds.
  • FACTS may take up to two weeks to return the award recommendation to the school. The Tuition Assistance Committee will review applications within a week of receiving the recommendation.
  • To be eligible for consideration, applicants must also submit signed contracts with their enrollment deposit. Once applicants have received their written award letter, they have two weeks from the date of the letter to request that we void their contract and return the deposit, should the award not meet their needs.
  • Applicants who come mid-year, or outside of the active enrollment cycle, are handled on a case by case basis by the Tuition Assistance Committee.

Tuition Assistance Process

  • Applicants may get applications from the Shepherd Valley office. There is a $20.00 nonrefundable fee per family for processing.
  • Applications are also accepted online at www.factstuitionaid.com
  • Applicants must submit a copy of the application to the Shepherd Valley office. Copies can be made in the office if needed.
  • FACTS will send an award recommendation to the school, whereupon the Tuition Assistance Committee will make award decisions based on availability of funds.
  • Families will be notified of tuition awards by letter and/or by phone, and have two weeks to accept the award by completing their contract.