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The Accessible Education Grant (AEG) is designed to make Waldorf education accessible to more families, ensuring financial circumstances are not a barrier to enrolling at Madison Waldorf School.
What is the AEG?
The AEG is a separate application processed by FACTS Grant & Aid, a third-party entity. Grants are awarded from a limited fund based on your income, expenses, ability to pay, and family circumstances, as determined by your AEG application and most recent 1040 Federal Tax Return and W2(s).
How much aid can I receive?
Grants vary by family, depending on financial circumstances and the number of children enrolled.
For example:
Family A
Two working parents with four children, enrolling three.
Family B
One working parent, one stay-at-home parent, and one enrolled child.
Although Family A has a higher income than Family B, Family A may receive a larger grant due to their larger family size and enrollment of more children.
Eligibility Requirements
Early Childhood
Students enrolled in 4 or 5 full days (morning and afternoon) are eligible to apply.
Grade School:
All students are eligible to apply.
How to Apply
Submit the completed AEG application through FACTS Grant and Aid.
Include your 1040 tax return and W2(s) from the previous year or utilize the IRS Integration and allow FACTS to pull these documents directly from the IRS.
Applications are processed on an individualized basis, considering many financial factors beyond just income and household size.
Important Dates
February 1
FACTS Grant & Aid opens the AEG application.
April 1
Deadline for first-round funding consideration.
May 1
Award letters begin to be sent out. Recipients must sign and return the accompanying tuition contract within 10 business days. Award money not accepted within this timeframe will be revoked and returned to the grant fund.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment work?
FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment uses key personal and financial information to evaluate your need for financial aid. By completing an application, you will provide the necessary information to help MWS make an informed decision about awarding a grant. The first step of the process is to complete the online application as accurately as possible, and either complete the IRS Integration step OR upload your Federal income tax return and W-2 forms.
Who is eligible to apply for the AEG?
All enrolled or in process grade school students can apply, as well as any Early Childhood students who will be enrolled for 4 or 5 full days (morning and afternoon). Your child(ren) must be enrolled or in the admissions process in order for your AEG application to be considered. Unfortunately, we cannot award grants or even give an estimate until your child has been conditionally admitted and the AEG application has been processed and returned to us.
I probably don't qualify for aid. Should I apply anyway?
FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment does not set any income guidelines or have restrictions on who may apply for financial aid. If you feel your family should receive financial aid, it is to your benefit to apply. Please note that FACTS Grant & Aid charges an application fee for processing and submission of an Accessible Education Grant application does not guarantee an award.
When can we apply for the AEG?
FACTS Grant & Aid opens the application on February 1 for families who are applying for the upcoming school year (beginning in fall). Applications completed by April 1 are considered within the first round of funding. Families who are applying during the summer or mid-year can apply at any time and are encouraged to do so at the same time as they submit an application to the school. They will be considered for remaining funds on a first-come-first-served basis.
What are the requirements to apply for the AEG?
- Submitted new student application to Madison Waldorf School or re-enrollment paperwork for the upcoming year
- Your previous year’s completed 1040 Federal Tax Return and previous year’s W2(s) OR
- IRS integration in your Accessible Education Grant application
What information should we include in the application?
We recommend that you be as thorough and comprehensive as possible in sharing your expenses and family circumstances. Examples of additional expenses can include, but are not limited to, therapy (ie, occupational), financial support for extended family, student loans, etc.
Why do I have to provide all of this personal and confidential information in my application?
What happens to the tax forms and W-2 information that is submitted to FACTS Grant & Aid?
All documentation received from an applicant is imaged upon receipt and then destroyed for security purposes.
What happens if I do not provide all of the necessary information to complete the online application? Will I have to start over?
What if I do not know my Ability to Pay?
Please take the time to review your family’s financial situation to assess your ability to pay.
What if I need to make changes to my application?
You may log back on to the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment website and make your changes. Some restrictions may apply to making changes to an application. Please contact the MWS Business Office if you need assistance
Will FACTS Grant & Aid send me a copy of my assessment?
No. The assessment of your application will be sent only to the Bookkeeper at MWS. The information entered into the application is held in strict confidentiality and is not shared with anyone else.
When will we know about our award?
How much will I receive?
Understandably, many families wish to know what their potential grant might look like before filling out an application. Because the process is so thorough, individualized, and dependent on many financial factors that go beyond simple income and household size, we cannot predict what your family’s grant award will look like before processing your application.
What about parents who are divorced?
For families in which the parents are divorced, separated, unmarried, or who otherwise file their taxes separately, both parents are required to complete their own separate FACTS application.
Where can I find more information on required tax documents and possible IRS integration?
You can find more detailed information in the FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment Fact Sheet or in the IRS Integration Guide.
Who do I contact if I have any questions?
You may contact our Bookkeeper, Kara, with questions regarding the Accessible Education Grant and tuition-specific matters.
