Tuition Assistance
Making a CLWS Education Accessible to All Families
We recognize and value the importance of making a City of Lakes Waldorf School education affordable to families of diverse economic means. Socio-economic diversity is an important part of our inclusive school mission. CLWS strives to make an independent school education accessible to qualified students in Kindergarten through 8th grade, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. Our goal is for all accepted students and families to be able to join and participate fully in the school community and experience a transformative Waldorf education.
Tuition Assistance Awards
We strive to make CLWS affordable for all families through tuition assistance, sibling discounts, and payment plans. Each year, one-third of CLWS families receive some level of financial aid. Financial need is calculated by a third party. Many factors are used to determine financial need, including income, assets, family size, financial responsibilities, and the number of children attending tuition-based schools.
Award Decisions
Eligibility is determined in part by application through the TADS financial aid service using a standard calculation process. Tuition Assistance award decisions are made by the Tuition Assistance Committee following a review of the TADS determinations. All information required for the application process is kept in strictest confidence. If a current family’s financial situation changes significantly due to unforeseen circumstances after joining the school, we encourage the family to apply for financial aid. All families follow the same process for application and decision.
Important Dates
Returning families should complete the Tuition Assistance application by January 15, 2026.
New Families can submit Tuition Assistance applications beginning November 1, 2025 through February 20, 2026 via TADS. All tax documents and supporting data must be submitted by March 15, 2026 for priority consideration.
Tuition Assistance FAQs
What is the process for applying for Tuition Assistance?
- Families new to CLWS must first submit an Admissions application for their student(s). Be sure to indicate your plans to apply for tuition assistance on your application.
- All TADS Financial Aid applications must be submitted to the TADS system by February 20, 2026 to be considered for an award.
Applications are considered complete when the following is received in TADS:
- A completed Financial Aid application.
- A copy of your completed previous year’s tax return.
What else do I need to know about applying for Tuition Assistance for the first time?
- If all students in a family are in Grade 1 or older, City of Lakes Waldorf School assumes that each parent has the capacity to earn a minimum of $20,000. If this minimum per parent income is not reported, it will be added to your income estimation. This may have an impact on your award. If there are special circumstances that do not allow both parents to work, you may request an exception in writing.
- Families with separate households must have each parent complete a TADS Financial Aid application for tuition assistance. If there is only one legal guardian (and there is no financial support from another parent/guardian), that parent must state so in writing as a part of the application and include legal documentation from a judge, attorney, or licenced therapist, stating the sole financial responsibility rests with one parent/guardian. Parents must restate/resubmit this in writing on an annual basis.
- Any extenuating financial circumstances that are not captured in the application should be detailed in an attached letter and submitted at the same time the application is submitted.
- Final award decisions are made by the Tuition Assistance Committee based on the recommendations from TADS. All information is held in the utmost confidence.
- CLWS does not offer scholarships or merit-based awards at this time. All awards are need-based awards.
- Tuition assistance awards are gifts, not loans; they range greatly in amount but are not full tuition awards.
When will we know if we have received a Tuition Assistance Award?
Tuition Assistance is only awarded to families once a student has gone through the Admissions process and been accepted.
For mid-year applications: A minimum of 2-weeks processing time will occur between the time of all documentation and application parts submitted, to receiving an award response. Mid-year TA awards are based on aid-availability.
Awards are announced by April 1 to all new families who have completed the process within the due dates.
If we receive a Tuition Assistance award this year, will it be the same next year?
Financial need and awards are recalculated every year, using current information. Families are required to re-apply for Tuition Assistance yearly. If there is little change in a family’s circumstances, one can expect that awards will be renewed at a similar level. Should your need increase or decrease significantly, CLWS will reevaluate your financial award.
We’re a current family that has never sought tuition assistance before, but our circumstances have changed. Does it make sense for us to apply this year?
If your financial situation has changed significantly since your child/children started at CLWS, you should consider applying for tuition assistance. CLWS makes every effort to be helpful when circumstances are beyond a family’s control (i.e., loss of job, death in the family, or unexpected illness). The school is usually not able to support parents who choose to make a change in their employment status that reduces their income (i.e., a working parent who returns to school, or a parent who chooses to quit his/her job to start a business).
Who can I contact if I have additional questions?
Please contact Geneva Redmond, Tuition Assistance and Administrative Coordinator, at 612.767.1506, or genevaredmond@clws.org.
