Need-Based Financial Aid Process

 

Our desire is not that others might be relieved while you are hard pressed, but that there might be equality. At the present time your plenty will supply what they need, so that in turn their plenty will supply what you need. Then there will be equality, as it is written: "He who gathered much did not have too much, and he who gathered little did not have too little." Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift — Jesus Christ!     II Corinthians 8:13-15, 9:15

 

Key dates:

• February 23, 7-8pm (see website for date, time, details, and RSVP) – Attend our Annual "How on Earth do I Pay for/Finance Christian Education for Heaven's Sake? (A practical workshop)." All families applying for financial aid are asked to attend.  If you are/were not able to attend this event, you may call Mr. Dan Heidelberger, with Thrivent Financial for Lutherans, at 949-639-0396, and set up a personal appointment with him for the purpose of becoming aware of tips and financial management tools and tax-advantaged savings plans which are helpful in paying high school tuition as well as future college tuition.

 

• March 1 – All completed online FAST applications for financial aid are due. (This means completed, and submitted, not in process.)   

  NOTE 1:  The FAST-required financial forms (prior tax returns, etc.) should be post-marked by March 1. 
  NOTE 2: Since there is a charge ($34) for making application for financial aid, please call the office AFTER March 1 before completing an application to see if there are still financial aid funds available. This is an outside financial aid firm and therefore CLS cannot refund application fees.

  NOTE 3:  It is not necessary to disclose Social Security Numbers in the applications (or on tax forms).  However, if you do (or have), please know that all submitted information is secure and confidential.

 

• April 15 – Financial aid notification.

 

• April 30 -- Deadline for acceptance of aid. If financial aid is not accepted by the family through finalizing the enrollment process, the award may be withdrawn and/or redirected.

 

Dear Families,

 

This year we have made a change in our financial aid process. Families seeking financial aid must file an application through the Independent School Management Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) Program. There will still be personalized input and oversight in the financial aid process.  However, many families appreciate the confidentiality of this service as it analyzes each family's need based on financial aid best practices, and adjusted according to zip code cost of living.

 

Our already established deadline of March 1, remains in effect. We have changed to the FAST program because it is designed to be very responsive to our families. It is more flexible in terms of the information it will accommodate, thus allowing families to represent their own particular circumstances more accurately. To ease the online application process, FAST provides 24/7/365 help desk support -- CALL 1-877-326-3278.  There is also a very helpful Parent User Guide that can be downloaded (see left side once you enter the site).  

 

Like the system we used in the past, FAST provides Crean Lutheran a need-based financial aid analysis service which ensures that our process for establishing financial need adheres to nationally established standards of best practice. All information from FAST is kept confidential, as is all information pertaining to a family's financial aid request.

Financial Aid grants are made for one year only and, therefore, you must reapply each year. To start the process you may click the icon below.

 

 

The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program, allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. Online e-mail and a 24/7 helpline is provided. The charge for the application is $34.00, to be paid by credit card at the end of the session.

 

After completing the online application, you will be required to mail your 2009 tax returns for both State and Federal taxes with all schedules and W-2's to:

FAST Processing

ISM

1316 North Union Street

Wilmington DE 19806-2594

Including the School's name on the outside of the envelope will ensure faster processing of your application.

 

 

Financial Aid notification will be April 15. Families will need to formally accept the award by signing a tuition agreement as a part of the completion of the registration process.

 

Because financial aid funds are limited and demand is high, late filing of materials may result in non-renewal of a financial aid grant.

 

If you need more information or assistance, please contact Office Manager, Gina Hylton at 949-916-0897 or Hylton@clshs.org .

Anyone may apply for financial aid. We do not discriminate with regard to race, national origin or sex.  Crean Lutheran South High School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to the students of the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school administered programs.

 

We look forward to working with you on your child's education at Crean Lutheran South High School

 

In Christ,

 

The Financial Aid Committee