Financial Aid

This year we will utilize the online service of Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) to process applications. FAST will be the standard submission format for all applications.

FAST does not decide whether financial assistance will be given or how much to give; rather FAST provides a need-based financial aid analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. All information from FAST is kept confidential. Results are reviewed by the Financial Aid Committee that will make determinations based on next year’s budget. The Head of School will then send financial aid offers to families.

As a reminder, you must reapply each year. To start the process, please do the following:

*Log onto the School’s website at www.wvms.org
*Click on the “FAST” button in the left margin of the home page.
*The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. Online e-mail and a 24/7 helpline is provided. Please do not call the school with questions.
*The charge for the application is $34.00 and to be paid by credit card at the end of the session. If you do not have a credit card, or cannot budget the fee, please call the Head of School for assistance.
*After completing the online application you will be required to mail your 2009 tax returns for both state and federal taxes with all schedules and W-2’s to:

FAST Processing
ISM
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington DE 19806-2594

*Including the School’s name on the outside of the envelope will ensure faster processing of your application.
*The online submission deadline for all applications is March 1, 2010.
*Your tax return must follow the submission, and be postmarked by March 15, 2010.
*Make your tax appointment early.

The goal is to have an award determination made by April 1, 2010 for returning families. While no financial aid procedure can be entirely equitable – there are simply too many individual factors and extenuating circumstances – this new process that has been selected should serve WVMS well. Among its many features will be the ability to further secure your financial data, and maintain the high degree of confidentiality that past recipients most appreciated.

Sincerely,

Mark DiPippa
Head of School