The Tuition Adjustment fund for the 2025-2026 school year is fully disbursed.
Tuition Adjustment will open up again On December 19, 2025 through February 27, 2026 for the 2026-2027 school year. Very limited funding may be available for incoming grades students joining small classes for the 2025-2026 school year. Please contact [email protected] to learn more about applying for this funding.
The Tuition Adjustment program addresses the needs of families who are unable to pay full tuition.
Tuition Adjustment is available to all students from 1st to 8th grade. Very limited funding is available for our Early Childhood programs.
There are no discounts or adjustments for fees, or extended care programs.
All awards are subject to funding and based on need.
Tuition Adjustment is available to all students from 1st to 8th grade. Very limited funding is available for our Early Childhood programs.
There are no discounts or adjustments for fees, or extended care programs.
All awards are subject to funding and based on need.
2026-2027 Application Process
Application Timeline for New Families
- Families need to be enrolled or to have applied for admission to OWS before applying for Tuition Adjustment. If you would like to start the enrollment process, please visit our admission page for information.
- Apply online with BeneFAQ:
- Navigate to www.benefaq.com and create a new account if you do not yet have one.
- Once you are at the site, select the “Parent” button from the upper right.
- Create an account, entering all the information requested and clicking register which will sign you in for the first time (returning users can then sign in using the sign-in section on the left).
- Click the CREATE A NEW APPLICATION button.
- Enter the correct application year, enter our school number (55081) or name in the search window, and select it when it appears. Several schools have similar names, so please make sure you are selecting the correct school. NOTE: If the application year isn’t available, the school has not yet granted access.
- Once paid, you may begin filling out the application.
- Enter credit card details and click “Pay and Create App.” The $35 charge will appear as BeneFAQ
- Follow all on-screen instructions.
- The left-hand menu shows sections to complete. Green = completed. These must be completed in order.
- Click “Save and Continue” at the bottom of each page to proceed to the next page.
- If you need to exit and return later, you will be directed to the most recently saved page.
- For questions, use the “Messages” link in the upper right of any application page. BeneFAQ typically responds within
24 hours (closed weekends/holidays). If you experience any issues with the messaging, email [email protected]. - When BeneFAQ responds, you’ll receive an email notification. Log in, go to your dashboard, and select “Messages” from the Manage drop-down menu associated with your active application. Safelist [email protected] so their emails do not go to spam.
- Complete all application sections carefully. Do not skip any questions.
- After clicking, “Submit App & Proceed” on the last page, you will be directed to upload required documents.
- Upload one file at a time. Use the “Add” button for multiple pay stubs and “Additional Documents” for tax returns or other requested files.
- Submitting your application does not mean it is complete. BeneFAQ may request additional clarifications or documents. Check for messages and respond promptly.
Processing Time: The school’s application deadline applies only to submission. BeneFAQ’s processing timeline is separate from this deadline and typically takes 3-5 business days after receiving all required documents and requested clarifications.
If you have questions about your application of supporting documents, it is best to use the online messaging system. BeneFAQ is prompt in its replies and will be very willing to help you as necessary. You can also email [email protected].
- Upload one file at a time. Use the “Add” button for multiple pay stubs and “Additional Documents” for tax returns or other requested files.
- Navigate to www.benefaq.com and create a new account if you do not yet have one.
- Application Window: December 19, 2025 through February 27, 2026
- Adjustment Offers are considered in the order received and the process typically takes 2 weeks from the receipt of a THOROUGH and COMPLETE application. BeneFAQ will not create a report for an incomplete application, so please check your messages on their portal frequently. Incomplete applications will only be considered after all complete applications have been reviewed and awarded TA.
- Adjustment Offers are sent electronically only. Adjustment Offer notifications contain deadlines for acceptance or appeal of Tuition Adjustment offers. Offers not accepted or appealed by the deadline are returned to the TA pool.
Application Timeline for New Families
- Tuition Adjustment applications for new students are due at time of enrollment application, which opens March 1, 2026. TA applications will be accepted for new families between March 1, 2026 and March 31, 2026.
- Applications received after March 31, 2026 will be considered for financial aid until funds are no longer available.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is Tuition Adjustment (TA)?
- Who can apply?
- Are there any costs to apply for TA?
- Should I submit tax documents from last year or the previous year?
- Will our family qualify for TA?
- What is a typical TA award amount?
- How is Tuition Adjustment determined?
- Who will see our TA application?
- Will applying for TA affect our application/admission?
- Do we have to re-apply each year?
- How do separated or divorced parents apply?
- What about non-working parents?
- Why is there a month between the application deadline and award offers?
- Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
What is Tuition Adjustment (TA)?
Tuition Adjustment is a financial award, deducted from a child's tuition. The Tuition Adjustment Program is designed to bridge the gap between tuition and the amount families can afford.
Tuition Adjustment is a financial award, deducted from a child's tuition. The Tuition Adjustment Program is designed to bridge the gap between tuition and the amount families can afford.
Who can apply?
Families currently attending OWS and families who have applied for admission. We accept applications from all grade levels, with the priority given to students in the grades.
Families currently attending OWS and families who have applied for admission. We accept applications from all grade levels, with the priority given to students in the grades.
Are there any costs to apply for TA?
BeneFAQ charges a $35 fee. This fee is paid during the online application process. No fees are charged by the school to apply for TA.
BeneFAQ charges a $35 fee. This fee is paid during the online application process. No fees are charged by the school to apply for TA.
Should I submit tax documents from last year or the previous year?
Documents from last year should be submitted if they have already been completed. Previous year documents are allowed, but if you have changes between the two years that might affect your eligibility, please submit the most current documents. BeneFAQ asks for many types of financial documentation, including paystubs, to build a more complete financial picture beyond tax documentation.
Documents from last year should be submitted if they have already been completed. Previous year documents are allowed, but if you have changes between the two years that might affect your eligibility, please submit the most current documents. BeneFAQ asks for many types of financial documentation, including paystubs, to build a more complete financial picture beyond tax documentation.
Will my family qualify for TA?The best way to determine your eligibility is to submit an application and proceed through the process. Due to the variety of financial circumstances, it is impossible for us to give clear guidelines. Despite this, we get lots of requests for a guideline. The BeneFAQ system takes into account typical living expenses calculated specifically in our region, understanding that school tuition is not the only reasonable expense for a family. The system assesses income, expenses, assets and liabilities, and makes a recommendation for an award based on the amount of money within a family's budget that could be reasonably allocated to tuition. A good rule of thumb is: if in doubt, apply. It costs very little, and because so many factors are considered, it is always worth going through the process. It is important to understand that there is no specific income level at which a family will not qualify for financial aid.
What is a typical TA award amount?
Olympia Waldorf School strives to bridge the gap between tuition and what families can afford. Typically, the school can offer up to fifty percent of tuition if there is demonstrated need, and we do not award any discount of fees or extended care charges. We work with each family individually to determine if there is a possibility of awarding additional assistance based on need.
Olympia Waldorf School strives to bridge the gap between tuition and what families can afford. Typically, the school can offer up to fifty percent of tuition if there is demonstrated need, and we do not award any discount of fees or extended care charges. We work with each family individually to determine if there is a possibility of awarding additional assistance based on need.
How is Tuition Adjustment determined?
BeneFAQ collects information on income, assets and expenses. Income may be wages or business income. Assets are also considered and include items such as homes, savings accounts, retirement, etc. Assets are weighted and a percentage may be added to funds available, increasing a family's "income" for the year. Family expenses, including a system-calculated amount for food and basic expenses, is subtracted from the families income to give an amount available for spending. Again, this amount is weighted and a portion is allotted for tuition. If this amount is greater than tuition, no award is granted. If this amount is less than tuition, an award is issued for the difference, up to fifty percent of tuition.
BeneFAQ collects information on income, assets and expenses. Income may be wages or business income. Assets are also considered and include items such as homes, savings accounts, retirement, etc. Assets are weighted and a percentage may be added to funds available, increasing a family's "income" for the year. Family expenses, including a system-calculated amount for food and basic expenses, is subtracted from the families income to give an amount available for spending. Again, this amount is weighted and a portion is allotted for tuition. If this amount is greater than tuition, no award is granted. If this amount is less than tuition, an award is issued for the difference, up to fifty percent of tuition.
Who will see our TA application?OWS commits to keeping your financial information and tuition adjustment award confidential. All financial information submitted will be reviewed only by the Tuition Adjustment Committee, and the award amount will be visible to the enrollment manager and business manager on contracts and through payment processing.
Will applying for TA affect our application/admission?
No, applying for TA does not affect your application process or admission to the school. Admission to the school is determined without any consideration of finances. If your child is accepted as a student at the school, a full tuition contract would be issued and an award of tuition adjustment would come separately.
No, applying for TA does not affect your application process or admission to the school. Admission to the school is determined without any consideration of finances. If your child is accepted as a student at the school, a full tuition contract would be issued and an award of tuition adjustment would come separately.
Do we have to re-apply each year?
Yes, each year our families must reapply for Tuition Adjustment. You must also create a new account in BeneFAQ each year. You cannot use your username and password from the previous year. Returning families are given priority funding if they apply by the application deadline.
Yes, each year our families must reapply for Tuition Adjustment. You must also create a new account in BeneFAQ each year. You cannot use your username and password from the previous year. Returning families are given priority funding if they apply by the application deadline.
How do separated or divorced parents apply?
We expect that both parents will apply for Tuition Adjustment. BeneFAQ will keep your financial information separate and confidential. The school makes the same commitment. Tuition Adjustment is based on the ability to pay, rather than the willingness to pay, so both parents' income must be taken into consideration.
We expect that both parents will apply for Tuition Adjustment. BeneFAQ will keep your financial information separate and confidential. The school makes the same commitment. Tuition Adjustment is based on the ability to pay, rather than the willingness to pay, so both parents' income must be taken into consideration.
What about non-working parents?There are different reasons for a parent or guardian to not be working. In some cases, they may be the caregiver for another child or a parent. Sometimes they are disabled and receive disability instead. In these cases, income is taken as provided in the BeneFAQ application. In the case where a parent or guardian is a homemaker by choice rather than need, BeneFAQ inputs an income equal to approximately 20 hours per week at minimum wage.
Why is there a delay between the application deadline and award offers?The Tuition Adjustment Committee must allow time for BeneFAQ to verify that each family's application matches their tax return and to make other related calculations. We allow 2 weeks for that process. After that, the committee meets to work through all the applications (all of the committee work full time at the school or participate as trustees who have careers outside of the school) and then our Business manager must input and issue awards. It is possible that you may receive your award letter sooner than one month, but occasionally the process can take longer even with all of the tax documentation correctly submitted. Thank you for your patience!
Who do I contact if I have additional questions?
Please contact us at [email protected]
Please contact us at [email protected]
