Financial Aid

Here is a video that will give you an overview of how to create an account within the Smart Aid system. Please note that this login is different from the one that you will use to submit your admission application to Headwaters. 

You will need the following information to successfully complete your application: 

• Headwaters School ID: #14236
• Grade your child is applying to or entering in the next school year cycle (please note, the system uses PS for our YCC and PK for our Primary program).
• Financial documentation: 
  • Most recent pay stub
  • Most recent W-2s and 1099s for all jobs
  • Most recent federal tax returns
  • Most recently filed business tax returns, as applicable
  • Other supplemental income information, as applicable: unemployment, veterans’ benefits, welfare, food stamps, child support, workers compensation, housing allowance, etc. 
  • If you are not able to provide any of the documents above, please submit a special circumstances letter with your application detailing which items you are not able to provide and why
  • If you have a monthly family budget or bank statements, those will also be helpful in completing the application, but are not required to be uploaded to the system. 

We wanted to share this chart to help families know in advance if they are likely candidates for financial aid at Headwaters School. 

In the chart, you will see income levels and average tuition paid by families.

Creating Your Account
Please visit this link and create your account by entering your primary email address as your username. Smart Aid will use this email address to contact you in the event that your application is “on hold” for missing documentation. Once you create your username and password, you will receive a verification email. Once you click the verification link to verify that you are the account holder, you will be able to log in using the username and password you created. Please be advised that if you do not click the verification link that is sent to your email address, you will not be able to log in or reset your password.

Submitting Documentation
Documentation should be submitted at the time the application is completed. Application IDs must be included on all documents. Failure to include your ID will delay processing of your application. Please be advised that each document must be uploaded separately under the appropriate document type in order for your application to automatically move into the review status.

• Direct Upload Link: https://smartaidforparents.com (login with your username and password)

Application Rollover
If you created a Smart Aid account to apply for financial aid in a prior year, your application will roll over into the next school year. Your username and password will remain the same, as well as your application ID number (with the exception of the first two digits as that indicate the school year). The Parent/Guardian and Dependents section of the application will be auto-filled for you, you will simply need to confirm the information before advancing to the next sections of the application. If any information from the Parent/Guardian and Dependent section should be updated, please make the necessary changes.

Smart Aid Contact Information
Phone Support: (800)-360-8027
Email Support: support@smartaidforparents.com

Notification of Financial Aid
Once your application is processed, a financial aid recommendation will be forwarded to Headwaters School. All final financial aid decisions, including notification of an award amount (if any) will be made by Headwaters School. Decisions for returning families will be released prior to the  re-enrollment period, usually in mid-January. Decisions for new families will be released on a rolling basis after that, as funds and budget allow.

Section 1 – Household Information
Parent/Guardian: Enter the parent or guardian’s contact information. Dependent: Enter all dependents that live in the household. For dependents in college, select the “attending another private school” status option.

Section 2 – Selecting A School
Enter Headwaters School’s five-digit code (14236) or name in the search box. Make your selection by checking the select check box. Once a school or multiple schools are selected, you will then need to select the student(s) you wish to apply for aid at the appropriate school(s). After the school(s) have been selected, you will then need to select the upcoming grade for the student, student code (if applicable), and expected tuition (if applicable) for the upcoming year. Clicking “next” after each section will allow you to move on to each subsequent section.

Section 3 – Income & Expenses
Enter any income the household receives; employment, business or supplemental. If the work status is selected as ‘employed’, ‘self-employed’, ‘unemployed, receiving benefits’, or ‘disabled, receiving benefits,’ you will be required to enter this income source in the appropriate section before moving through the application. Please enter all expenses as they pertain to your household.

Section 4 – Assets & Debts
Enter all assets and debts as they pertain to your household.

Section 5 – Special Circumstances
Check off any special circumstance that pertains to your household. If no option available best describes your household’s circumstance, please check ‘other’ and describe your situation. This information is confidential and will only be available to designated School Administration and Smart Aid staff.

Section 6 – Submit
If your school uses family school codes, please make the appropriate selection. Agree to Smart Aid’s terms and conditions, then click SUBMIT to complete your online application.