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Financial Aid

The Highlands School offers financial aid for those students whose families qualify for financial assistance as determined by the school and the recommendations of Clarity. The Highlands School is extremely fortunate to have the community’s support from a wide network of donors, including Board members, faculty, businesses, foundations, and past and current parents that make scholarships available to our students. Application for financial aid is online only and requires completion of the Clarity Online Application,  The Highlands School Financial Aid Form, and the submission of specific tax documents.

The following forms are required in order to be considered for financial aid awards:

  • W2 Form & 1040 (submitted through Clarity)

Why did you switch to Clarity?

Our goal is to make The Highlands School application process as easy as possible for your family. 

You will find that Clarity offers a streamlined and user-friendly financial aid application process that can take as few as twenty minutes to complete. It is mobile-friendly, so you can complete your application on your phone or tablet and, if you apply before January 15, your 2021 1040 and W2 will be automatically transferred from the IRS, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually. These are just a few ways in which Clarity enhances the The Highlands School application process.   

We know that you may have questions about this change and how it will impact your family. We welcome you to reach out to us with any questions or concerns. We also invite you to review the FAQs on this page to learn more about Clarity!

Do you offer full scholarships?

Financial aid will cover a portion of tuition. Families are expected to contribute financially to their child’s education to the extent they are able. Contact the Admissions Office for more information regarding payment plans and loan options that can help you more easily manage tuition payments.

Who can apply for financial aid?

Any student in good standing, current or new, is eligible for aid, based on financial need. Families should reapply for aid each year that they require assistance. Priority is given first to eligible students currently receiving aid who continue to demonstrate need, second to other current students, and third to students new to The Highlands School.

Do we make too much to apply for financial aid?

There is no specific income cut-off to determine eligibility. We consider the financial circumstance of each family individually.

Who sees my information?

All information on financial aid forms will be held in the strictest confidence. This information is available only to our Scholarship Committee and Clarity.

What is the deadline for returning students to submit an application?

Completed applications for financial aid must be received by February 15th. Applications after this date will be reviewed after the first round of aid determination is completed. Families receiving an award letter will have ten (10) days from the date of the letter to contact the Admissions Office and acknowledge acceptance of the award or request an appeal. If the Admissions Office is not notified of acceptance or an appeal request within ten days, the award will be rescinded. Families who have had awards rescinded will need to begin the application process again if they wish to be considered.

What is the deadline for new students to submit an application?

Completed applications for financial aid must be received by February 15th. Applications after this date will be reviewed after the first round of aid determination is completed. Families receiving an award letter will have ten (10) days from the date of the letter to contact the Admissions Office and acknowledge acceptance of the award or request an appeal. If the Admissions Office is not notified of acceptance or an appeal request within ten days, the award will be rescinded. Families who have had awards rescinded will need to begin the application process again if they wish to be considered.

What is your policy regarding divorced/separated parents?

In cases where the parents of the student are divorced or separated, both parents are required to complete applications for financial aid, regardless of custody status or legal financial arrangements. In cases where a custodial parent has remarried, the stepparent will also need to complete the application.

Parent FAQs

Why did The Highlands School choose Clarity?

We have chosen Clarity as our The Highlands School application in order to better serve both our current and prospective families. We are confident that this change is going to make the process of applying for The Highlands School easier for families.

How does Clarity make it easier for me to apply for The Highlands School?

Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile friendly application that can be completed in as short a time as 20 minutes. Additionally, if you apply before January 15, Clarity removes the need to upload your 2021 W2 and 1040 by transferring them directly from the IRS. This reduces the amount of information that you will need to enter manually and makes it possible to complete the application quickly and efficiently.

Is my information secure with Clarity?

The Highlands School takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.

How will this impact my award?

Just as in prior years, if your financial circumstances have not changed, you will not see significant changes to your award. If you have any questions about your individual circumstance, please reach out to us.

Will I still need to apply every year?

Yes, you will need to submit a Clarity application each year in order to qualify for The Highlands School; however, Clarity retains your information from previous applications, so it will be even easier to reapply.

Can I complete my Clarity application on my phone or tablet?

Yes! Clarity’s application is fully mobile-friendly so you have access wherever you are.

What is the Automated Tax Pull Deadline?

Currently, the IRS is experiencing delays in their automatic processing of tax documents. The Automated Tax Pull Deadline ensures that your tax information will be verified prior to the review process for The Highlands School, so that you do not need to manually upload your 1040’s or W2’s.

When do I need to apply?

You must submit your full completed application by January 15. If you apply before January 15, your W2s and 1040 will be automatically pulled from the IRS. If you apply after January 15, you will need to upload your W2s and 1040 manually.