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Tuition Assistance Guidelines

Kindergarten teacher talking to her students at The Willows, a private school in Los Angeles
Students participating in Jog A Thon at The Willows, a private school in Culver City

While we seek families who make education a priority in budgeting their financial resources, we recognize that different circumstances create different financial needs. There is no single factor, such as family income, which determines who should apply for financial aid, or who is eligible for aid. Tuition Assistance is not a loan but reduces tuition for qualifying families. While we make every effort to continue to offer assistance to families each year, families must apply each year and demonstrate financial eligibility. 

The following general guidelines are provided to help you understand some of the factors considered in the application:

  • There is no set income or asset level that determines whether an applicant qualifies for aid.
     
  • We consider all available monies, assets, and expenses: parents‘ income, child‘s income, family partnerships, gifts, and any other beneficial interests from which income or principal is derived.
     
  • We expect that if a family is applying for assistance at The Willows and they have children in other tuition-charging schools and/or colleges, they will also apply for assistance from those schools.
     
  • In cases of separated or divorced parents, we need the same documentation from both parents, regardless of court ordered custody or support. The Willows cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If a custodial parent has remarried, the Tuition Assistance Committee will consider the assets of the stepparent; however, the Committee will also bear in mind the stepparent‘s obligations to his or her other children. In addition, The Willows cannot be bound by the assertion that each household is responsible for half the cost of education and therefore, one household should be considered for tuition assistance. Both households are required to submit the tuition assistance application, and the Committee will determine financial need based on both household's financial circumstances.
     
  • Most of our tuition assistance recipients are granted partial awards; the school expects that families will fulfill their remaining financial obligation in accordance with our regular payment schedules.