Tuition Assistance

• Create an IRS.gov account if you do not already have one. 

  • At the end of the application, if you are a US taxpayer, you will follow the steps to authorize the IRS to share a transcript of your W2(s) and personal tax return. Clarity has found that US taxpayers who have IRS.gov accounts before starting the Clarity Application have a much easier time completing this Verification process.

• Gather Documents & Data:

  • Taxable & non-taxable income details
  • Monthly household expenses (mortgage payment, utilities, groceries, etc.)
  • Out-of-pocket expenses incurred during the year (ex. Car repairs, medical bills, vet expenses, funeral costs, etc.)
  • Assets (home value and other real estate, vehicles, 529 plans, retirement accounts)
  • Liabilities (debts and business information)

IMPORTANT: In order for returning families to apply, you will need a special access code. Please reach out to [email protected] for assistance. 

Please do not apply for Tuition Assistance until your student has completed the initial review and their admission shadow visit. Winston is unable to refund Tuition Assistance fees. Award of tuition assistance is not a guarantee of admission to The Winston School.

• January 5, 2026: Tuition Assistance applications open for new families. The link to apply is below and will open on this date.
• January 26, 2026:  2025 W2 due
• In order for your application to be complete, you must submit your 2025 Tax Returns. We recommend you file your taxes as soon as possible.
• Families will be receive notification of their award concurrent with or shortly after their admission decision.
• The Tuition Assistance application will remain open until funds are exhausted. We recommend families who are in need of assistance apply early. 

Apply for Tuition Assistance

• November 1, 2025: Tuition Assistance applications open for current families.
• December 1, 2025: Tuition Assistance application closes for current families.
  • All current families must complete the application by this date, including submitting relevant documents, to be considered for assistance. Applications submitted after December 1, 2025, will be processed with new family applications and will be subject to the availability of funds. Families who do not submit additional required documents by the stated deadlines will not be considered in the current family distribution.
• January 26, 2026: 2025 W2 due
• By February 2, 2026: Current families will be notified of their tuition assistance awards for the 2026-2027 school year.
• By May 15, 2026: 2025 Tax returns submitted to Clarity

APPLY FOR TUITION ASSISTANCE

IMPORTANT: In order to apply, you will need a special access code. This access code was provided to all returning families on November 1, 2025 via an email titled Tuition Assistance is Now Open for Current Families. Please reference this email or reach out to Shannon Roberts for assistance. 

Our administrative team, along with the Board of Trustees, have been thoughtfully studying the TEFA program and its educational, financial, and operational implications. At this time, The Winston School will not participate in the TEFA Program. We will continue monitoring any future developments in the program and remain open to participation in the future.

We recognize that a private school education is a significant financial investment, and we hold firm to our commitment to offering need-based tuition assistance to qualified Winston students.

If a parent of school-age children chooses not to work, The Winston School imputes an annual income of $25,000 for a non-working parent.

For parents/guardians who are divorced, separated, or never/not married to each other, each parent/legal guardian is required to submit a Clarity application. While Winston is not bound by court orders regarding financial responsibility for a student’s education when Winston apportions private, voluntary financial assistance, it may take into consideration what a court has ordered a parent/guardian to pay or financially cover.  Regardless of any court order, all legal guardians are considered in the tuition assistance calculation and are responsible for tuition obligations outlined in the enrollment contract.

Returning Families:

Current families must submit 2025 W-2s for both parents by January 26, 2026. All 2025 tax returns must then be submitted to Clarity by May 15 for annual verification.

The Business Office may request additional documentation if needed.  

New Families:

Your 2025 tax return is a mandatory component of your tuition assistance application, and it must be complete in order to finish your application.

• We understand that our yearly application period starts earlier than the IRS deadline.
• If you are in need of tuition assistance, we highly advise you complete your return as soon as possible in order to apply in a timely manner and have the best chance for an award.

No, families must reapply for tuition assistance each year.

• The amount of assistance will vary from year to year based on available funds and the family’s changing financial situation.
• As a family’s income grows, tuition assistance will decrease accordingly. Should a family’s financial situation weaken, the School will endeavor to increase the level of assistance if funds are available.

No, the admission application process and financial aid process are separate. The admission committee does not factor in a student’s financial need into the decision making process. We encourage families who think they might need aid to apply early, as funds are often not available at a later date.

We do not offer admission fee or enrollment waivers at this time. If there are extenuating circumstances, please contact Mario Porro at [email protected]. 

Tuition assistance funds are always limited and the needs of the community can shift from year to year which means applying early is always in your best interest. Priority consideration is given to on-time applications. 

• Students who enroll mid-year may not receive tuition assistance for the current academic year as the allocated funds will most likely be exhausted. Families are always welcome to inquire about available funds, and if they are not available, they can apply for the following year during the open enrollment period.

We recognize that families may experience unexpected changes in their financial circumstances due to job loss, illness, or other life events. There will be an opportunity within the Clarity application to explain or offer details concerning a change in income or other financial circumstances.