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)

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
• 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. You can apply here.
• 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.

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.

When making tuition assistance decisions, the tuition assistance committee takes into consideration the financial resources of both parents, regardless of their marital status. Since The Winston School is not bound by court orders as to financial responsibility for a student's education, both parents are required to submit all required financial documentation, including annual tax returns.

Returning Families:

Current families will not be required to submit their 2025 tax return.Current families must submit 2025 W2 for both parents by January 26, 2026. The business office may require additional documentation.

New Families:

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

• 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.