Traditional Financial Assistance - Returning WNS Families

Instructions for Returning Families for the 2013-14 School Year

WNS values you, the families in our school community. The financial assistance program is an integral part of achieving the school’s mission to “create a community of lifelong learners that nurtures students from diverse backgrounds…” Continuance of current financial assistance awards is key to that goal, as well as assisting WNS families who are applying for the first time.

To help us determine each family’s eligibility for financial assistance, WNS collects financial data from parents, and, like most other independent schools, WNS uses a third party service. Independent School Management (“ISM”) offers a program called Financial Aid for School Tuition (“FAST”). FAST is used by many schools nationwide and is considered both user-friendly and an effective analytical tool.

FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be awarded or the amount; rather, FAST provides a recommended tuition per family based on the school's policies and the information provided by each applicant. A committee of WNS administrators makes the decisions. Every family's personal and financial information is kept strictly confidential. In the case of two-household families, each parent's data is submitted and stored separately and neither parent has access to the other's information.

See below for a downloadable statement of WNS's financial assistance policies and tips for filling our your application. The 2013-14 FA Calendar can also be downloaded.

The timeline and due dates for reenrollment of current families is:

• Monday, January 14, 2013 - Due date to file online application for TAP or FA on FAST website (see link below). This information will be based on your 2012 income and expenses, assets and liabilties.
• Friday, January 25, 2013 - Due date for parents to submit copies of 2012 W-2s if available, or final 2012 pay stub(s), to WNS, c/o Carol Garvey
• Friday, January 25, 2013 - Due date for parents to submit the 2013 Family Financial Profile (FFP) to WNS, c/o Carol Garvey. The FFP gives you an opportunity to look forward and report any significant changes that you anticipate in your family finances in 2013. If none, then your FFP will mirror the 2012 data you have entered in FAST.
• Thursday, February 14, 2013 – WNS issues reenrollment contracts and financial assistance awards. Finalization of awards is contingent upon timely submission of 2012 tax returns to FAST--by March 1 or earlier.)
• Friday, February 22, 2013 – Due date for parents to return reenrollment contracts & deposits
• Friday, March 1, 2013 - Due date for parents to mail signed copies of 2012 state and federal tax returns and supporting documents to FAST. It is not necessary to use a courier or overnight mail.

Make your tax appointment early!

Note: All parents of each WNS student must complete the FAST application online, including custodial and non-custodial, biological parents and step-parents. Parents living in separate households apply individually, as "Family 1" and "Family 2"of the same application.

To gain access to a secure FAST website specifically for WNS, click on the link below. Once there, click the Get Started button at the bottom of the first page. It will take approximately one hour once you have assembled the necessary data. For your convenience, FAST has a 9-page downloadable worksheet. You may complete the application in multiple online sessions. Much of the information needed (but not all) is the same as what you need for your 2012 tax return.

When you are ready to submit the application, you will be asked to pay a $38 fee using a credit card. If you do not have a credit card, contact Carol Garvey, the WNS financial assistance administrator (310-574-8650, ext. 415 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you do not have access to a computer, Mrs. Garvey can arrange access at WNS.

NOTE: Print FAST's bar-coded Quick Processing Wizard and send it with your tax returns to expedite FAST's handling of your documents. The Wizard will provide you with a customized list of forms and schedules to be submitted, based on how you file your taxes.

Mail to:
ISM-FAST Processing
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806

Click here to download the 2013 Family Financial Profile (FFP). (Use Adobe Acrobate Reader to edit this form)

Click here to download the WNS Financial Assistance Policies and Tips for Parents.

Click here to download the 2013-14 FA Checklist.

Click below for the link to the online FAST application.