Introduction

Eton School is proud to offer need-based financial aid to families in support of their investment in an Eton School education. Providing equitable access to the education that Eton School and its mission provide is the top priority of Eton School’s financial aid program. The amount of each award is determined by the current funds available at each grade level, the number of families applying for assistance, and the demonstrated need of each family.  A family’s financial need is determined by the calculations provided by the services of Clarity. 

It is the goal of Eton School to provide a consistent message to parents, students, faculty, board members and administration regarding financial aid.  As such, the School endorses the NAIS Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid Administration.

It is the policy of Eton School that no person shall be subjected to discrimination because of race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, marital status, or the presence of any physical, mental or sensory disability.

Financial Aid Committee

The Financial Aid Committee consists of the Head of School, Director of Equity and Belonging, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, Assistant Head of School, and Contracted Chief Financial Officer.  In addition, the Head of School may appoint other committee members at their discretion.
 

Financial Aid Timeline

1. Starting on 1 December parents/guardians can begin the online financial aid application using Clarity.
    
2. Clarity generates a computerized Report of Recommended Award regarding financial aid, which the Financial Aid Committee utilizes in determining awards after the Financial Aid Application Deadline.
    
3. Financial aid awards for returning students are provided prior to re-enrollment in February. Financial aid awards for new students (including siblings of current students) are provided upon acceptance.
    
4. Any applications submitted after the deadline will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis, assuming financial aid is still available to be awarded. 
    
5. Families reapply for financial aid annually prior to re-enrollment.

Required Documentation

The committee will make a decision based on a family’s most current year tax return documentation.  The School reserves the right to request additional information or documentation to verify and/or further clarify a family’s financial profile.  If it is determined that false, inaccurate, or incomplete information was provided by the family, Eton School reserves the right to immediately modify the amount of the financial aid award. All financial information is held in strict confidence by Eton School, including keeping financial aid information separate from admission decisions and academic faculty.

Non-Working Parent

Private education is a family commitment requiring the contributions of all parents. When all children in the household are school-aged, income will be imputed for a non-working parent at the level of Washington State minimum wage in calculating the family's gross income. The Financial Aid Committee can waive this imputation if there is a disability involved of either the non-working parent or a household member, requiring the non-working parent to take a custodial role.

Separated and Divorced Parents

Financial Aid at the School is determined by a family’s ability to meet educational expenses; it is based on need, not on a willingness or unwillingness to pay.  It is the position of Eton School that divorced and separated parents retain the obligation to contribute to the education of their children whether or not there is a legal agreement between them to do so.  Many divorce settlements stipulate the exact amount each parent must contribute toward educational costs, or which parent is responsible for costs and for how long.  We do not follow such guidelines when determining aid and instead require each parent to contribute as much as our calculations show they can afford. In some instances this amount is less than the court’s decision, in others, more. The Financial Aid Committee considers the assets of both parents, if living, before making any award, and cannot be held by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, we also consider the assets of the stepparent, always bearing in mind the obligation of that stepparent to their own children.

The committee may waive the requirement of financial information from the non-custodial parent and their spouse when the non-custodial parent’s whereabouts are unknown or when the non-custodial parent has given no financial support to the student for more than two years and has made no contact with him or her during this time.