Tuition Assistance FAQs

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

• Q. What is the Clarity code for Open Window School?

  Open Window School’s Clarity code is 8834.

• Q. Does Open Window School provide full tuition financial aid?

  Open Window School policy is that families receiving aid will be required to contribute at some level to the cost of tuition. There will be no awards of 100% of tuition.

• Q. What percentage of tuition is awarded?

  Demonstrating a wide range of financial needs in our community, current financial aid awards range from 4% - 93% of an individual tuition.

• Q. Who sees the financial aid application information that I submit?

  Open Window’s Financial Aid Office consists of the director of finance and operations (DFO) and controller. These financial aid officers determine a student’s eligibility for aid and the amount of the award based upon the family’s demonstrated need. All financial award recommendations by the Financial Aid Office are reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee for final approval. The Financial Aid Committee includes the controller, the DFO, the head of school, and the director of admissions. All discussions and communications regarding the determination of eligibility for aid are kept strictly confidential.

• Q. Does the Admissions Office take into consideration that I’m applying for financial aid when they decide whether my child is eligible for being admitted?

  Admissions decisions are based on a variety of factors; however, a student’s eligibility for admission is assessed separately from the financial aid process. In determining eligibility for admission, the Admissions Committee is not aware if a family has applied for financial aid.

• Q. Who is aware that my child receives financial aid?

  The financial aid process requires families to provide information of an inherently personal nature and Open Window School adheres to the highest standards of confidentiality. Applicants are evaluated for eligibility for admission prior to the sharing of any financial aid information with the admissions office. The Financial Aid Committee reviews the applicant’s financial information in order to approve award decisions. The school does not disclose the financial status of families to teachers or other families. In the case of separated and/or divorced parents, no information will be given by the school to either parent regarding the other parent’s financial disclosures. The school safeguards the confidentiality of financial aid applications, records, and decisions while respecting the right of each family to discuss its own financial aid outcomes in an appropriate manner. 

• Q. Do families get financial aid every year?

  In order for a family to be considered for financial aid for the next school year, they must apply by the deadline each year. The size of awards will continue to depend upon demonstrated need, the number of financial aid applicants, and dollars available.

• Q. We are currently receiving financial aid for the 2023-2024 school year. Do we wait until we receive our 2024-2025 aid determination before returning our 2024-2025 enrollment contract and tuition deposit?

  Current families applying for financial aid must submit an Academic Enrollment and Tuition Contract and the required deposit by the re-enrollment deadline. In the event that the financial aid award is insufficient for re-enrollment, contact the Controller by the requested aid acceptance date and the paid tuition deposit will be refunded.

• Q. Our student is currently enrolled and we need to apply for financial aid for the first time. What do we do?

  Submit the financial aid application materials by the financial aid deadline and return the Academic Enrollment and Tuition Contract and required deposit by the re-enrollment deadline. In the event that the financial aid award is insufficient for re-enrollment, contact the Controller by the requested aid acceptance date and the paid tuition deposit will be refunded.

• Q. We are currently enrolled at OWS and have had a change in financial circumstance. Can we apply for aid mid-year?

  Most financial aid awards are made in the spring following the Financial Aid Deadline. However, please contact Hongmei Li, Controller, at faoffice@ows.org to find out if any aid remains available and review mid-year procedures before submitting financial aid application paperwork.

• Q. Our family is made up of multiple households. Which household should submit the financial aid application and supporting documents?

  Financial aid at Open Window is determined by a family’s ability to meet educational expenses. It is the position of the school that divorced or separated parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their children unless one parent has legally been granted sole custody of the student and assumes all financial obligations for that child. The assets of both parents will be considered before making any award; the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility, without legal authority, for educational expenses does not apply. If either parent has remarried, we will consider also the assets of the stepparent, always bearing in mind the obligation of that stepparent to his or her own natural children.
  
  The income and assets of all parents and guardians who have never been married or who are separated or divorced will be used to determine the family’s need for aid.