Tuition Assistance

Cascadia School Tuition Assistance Policy

Requirements: 

In order to receive financial assistance, the parent must complete the SSS1 application process and be one of the following:

• New Students: Must submit an Application for Admission to Cascadia and non-refundable fee.
• Qualified for financial need/assistance by the SSS, defined as the calculated Estimated Family Contribution being less than Cascadia’s tuition.
• A prior recipient of financial aid AND still be able to qualify under the same circumstances and/or policy that was in effect during the first grant of assistance while in the same classroom (grades 1-3, 4-6, OR 7-8) or the current policy.

This is a subjective evaluation that will consider the documents sent, as well as the child’s tenure at Cascadia and the family’s contribution and commitment to Montessori education and the Cascadia community.

Application Process:
An application consists of several different forms all due in mid-April prior to the school year you are applying for:

1. Cascadia School Financial Aid application, including signature of agreement to volunteer ten hours of time to the school per child for every year of financial assistance granted. This form is submitted to Danielle Benge at Cascadia School.
2. Parents’ Financial Statement for the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) to be filled in online. The due date for Cascadia to receive all information is mid-year prior to the school year you are applying for. The application process requires the submission of a fee. All information is kept confidential and shall be processed and submitted to Cascadia with a recommendation of how much the family should be able to contribute to the tuition for their children (Estimated Family Contribution). The process is very detailed and takes into account such factors as number of children, tax information, debt, special circumstances, etc.
3. Copies of both Parents’ 2021 IRS 1040 Forms and W-2 Forms . Tax returns must be signed and include all schedules. You must file your taxes so that we receive the actual filing. These forms are submitted via secure upload to SSS.
4. Current payroll stub or wage verification submitted via secure upload to SSS.

Deadlines:

All items must be received by mid-April (exact date is listed on the application) to be considered on time and complete.
Once we have received all the components of your application, your request will be considered by the Administrator. Notification of assistance will be made by mid-May.

Awarding Process:

1. Each year the Board of Trustees of Cascadia Montessori School will authorize a maximum amount of funds to be awarded as financial assistance. The amount and/or the number of the awards given each year shall vary based on those budgetary and operational considerations. Awards will not exceed 50% of the current annual tuition per applicant. Awards will be made for one year at a time. Families must reapply annually for continued assistance.
2. Priorities of Awards – Returning Students: All returning students will be given top priority for tuition assistance, with priority going to previous recipients of assistance. In addition, the parents’ prior volunteer services to Cascadia will be taken into consideration.
3. Priorities of Awards – New Students: New applicants from the list will be granted enrollment at Cascadia based on the openings or need for students in a specific class and/or specific grade level. There are many other factors that shall be considered in the award decision-making process – this list includes but is not limited to:
4. Siblings attending Cascadia, applying to Cascadia School at the same time, or currently attending a Montessori preschool.
5. Prior Montessori experience.
6. Any other family members, who attend Cascadia, work at Cascadia, are on a board or committee for Cascadia, or are otherwise a “Friend of Cascadia.2”
7. Recommendations, including those from a “Friend of Cascadia.”
8. Those applicants that help to diversify the school and enrich the student population.
9. Prior attendance at Cascadia.
10. Parent’s prior volunteer service to Cascadia or other non-profit organizations.
11. Tuition Assistance will be awarded to applicants at the discretion of the Administrator under review by a designated Board Member and/or Finance Committee Member.
12. The Administration shall give notice to all applicants about Cascadia’s final Award Decision via letter.
13. Applications received for consideration will be held in strict confidentiality and will be retained in confidential files on the premises of Cascadia School.

Commitment to Diversity

Cascadia Montessori School welcomes students and staff of any race, color, nationality, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and family constellation to all programs and activities at the school. The school does not discriminate in its educational, hiring, admission, or school-administered policies. It is our goal that the school reflects the rich diversity of our community, including varied cultures, economic status, and individual or special education needs.

Our decision for aid is not based on race, color, national and ethnic origin, or sexual orientation.