Financial Aid

Financial Aid at Honolulu Waldorf School

A shared commitment

At Honolulu Waldorf School, we believe a thriving school is woven from many kinds of families and life circumstances. Our intention with Financial Aid is simple: to help as much as we can, to as many as we can, in support of our community.
Because our resources are limited, we use a structured, consistent process each year, so that applications are reviewed with care, confidentiality, and fairness.

What financial aid is

Financial Aid at Honolulu Waldorf School is need-based and merit-based tuition assistance awarded for one school year at a time, subject to available funding. Families must reapply annually.

Eligibility

To be eligible, all of the following must be true:

• Full-time enrollment (5 full days) is required. Part-time programs (including 3-day
  options) are not eligible.
• The student is a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident (self-attested in FACTS;
  documentation may be requested if flagged).
• An enrollment agreement (new students) or re-enrollment agreement (returning
  students) is signed before the application is reviewed.

What financial aid can cover

Aid applies primarily to tuition; however, school fees and incidental expenses may also be considered.
FACTS fees are excluded.

Annual timeline and key dates

• Applications open: typically October (for the following school year)
• Priority deadline: February 28, 2026 (complete application required for priority
  consideration)
• Decisions posted in FACTS: March 31, 2026
• Award acceptance / opt-out deadline: April 10, 2026
• If the award is not accepted by the deadline, it is forfeited and tuition is billed at
  the full rate.

Tuition deposit

• Deposit amount: $1,000
• Due date: April 15
• Invoiced and collected through FACTS
• If a family withdraws by April 10, the deposit is waived or refunded (whether already paid or not).

How to apply

New families

1. Apply for admission
2. Student is admitted
3. Family signs the enrollment agreement
4. Family submits the FACTS Financial Aid application
5. Financial Aid application is reviewed when complete

Returning families

1. Family re-enrolls/signs
2. Family submits the FACTS Financial Aid application
3. Financial Aid application is reviewed when complete

What a “complete” application means

We can only review complete applications.
A complete application includes:

• A submitted FACTS application
• Form 1040: prior year required (prior two years recommended)
• W-2 and 1099 forms: prior two years required
• Any additional items FACTS requests based on your family circumstances

We do not review incomplete applications.
For priority consideration, your application must be complete by February 28, 2026.

Rolling applications (after February 28)

Applications submitted after February 28 are reviewed as needed only if funds remain. Typical turnaround is 2–4 weeks after a complete file.

How awards are determined

FACTS calculated need is used as the baseline. The committee may adjust awards based on factors such as:

• Family stated ability to pay (as stated in FACTS)
• Enrollment priorities (varies year-to-year by grade-level needs)
• Multi-child (sibling) considerations as an internal adjustment (not a universal discount)
• Special circumstances (documented medical, family, or extraordinary hardship, mission alignment, etc.)

Divorced/separated households

We require information from both parents/guardians. Each household must submit a separate FACTS application (separate FACTS accounts).
Non-custodial information waiver: In limited cases (non-contact or unknown whereabouts), a waiver may be requested via a written letter uploaded to FACTS, along with supporting documentation.

Communications and privacy

• All award decisions (need, merit, or grant) are communicated through FACTS
  notifications only. Award amounts are not communicated by phone.
• Families may email process questions to: financialaid@honoluluwaldorf.org
• Do not email sensitive financial documents. Supporting documents must be uploaded to FACTS.

Appeals and mid-year reviews

Appeals are permitted when information has changed since the family applied or when material corrections are needed.

• Deadline: within 7 calendar days of decision notice
• Submit request by email to financialaid@honoluluwaldorf.org (do not email sensitive documents)
• Supporting documents must be uploaded to FACTS
• Outcome is communicated through FACTS notification

Mid-year reviews will be considered only in the event of a significant and documented change in financial circumstances and are subject to available funds.

• Any change may be submitted; the committee determines whether an adjustment is warranted
• If adjusted, changes take effect the next billing cycle
• Outcome is communicated through FACTS notification

FAQ

Additional Financial Aid Resources

Preschool Open Doors PATCH

This program is a separate subsidy program with limited funds that provides services state-wide to families sending their children to a licensed preschool during the school year prior to kindergarten entry.  The goal of POD is to promote school readiness for children, and the program focuses on meeting the needs of the child.  Parents are not required to have an eligible activity, unlike the CCCH Subsidy program, but they must meet income and other eligibility requirements. For POD, there is a time-limited application period established and published each year.

Child Care Subsidy Program
Helps low-income families to sustain their employment, educational efforts, and job training by paying a subsidy for their children who are in the care of DHS-approved Child Care Providers.

Child Care Connection Hawaii (aka Arbor Child Care)
Applications accepted state-wide, year round

Pauahi Foundation Kahapua‘ohai Tuition Assistance

Kahapua‘ohai from the Pauahi Foundation provides tuition assistance to ‘ohana with keiki ages 3 to 5 who face financial barriers to accessing quality early learning programs during these critical developmental years.

Kīpona Scholarship
The Kīpona Scholarship provides need-based financial assistance to children attending participating private schools in Hawai‘i (other than Kamehameha Schools). Review the link for eligibility information

 Keiki O Ka ‘Aina’s HELP Program