Financial Aid

Should I Apply for Aid?

Our answer is simple: If you feel that you’ll need assistance to attend The Lighthouse, we encourage you to apply.

We know that some families hesitate to apply for various reasons, including the paperwork involved in the process, or fear that a child’s hopes will be raised but no aid offered. We encourage you to apply, and we’re here to support you throughout the process.

Families who anticipate needing financial aid at any time during their child’s years at the Lighthoouse Schools should request aid when they apply. Financial aid may not be available in subsequent years unless there’s been a significant change in a family’s financial circumstances.

We’re here to help. Call us or email: 563 –249-4566, finance@tlhschools.org

The Lighthouse Schools provide financial aid to help families afford the cost of a boarding school education. The process for applying for financial aid is straightforward and can be completed online. Families must submit all required documents, including tax returns, bank statements, and other financial information to demonstrate their need for assistance. Once approved, the amount of aid awarded will depend on the family’s individual circumstances and the availability of funds. Financial advisors at The Lighthouse Schools are available to assist families through this process and answer any questions they may have about their eligibility for assistance.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Eligibility:
1. The Lighthouse Scholarship will cover up to the full amount of the annual tuition, which is $25,600 and it is open to students who will enroll in grades 6-10 at Lighthouse Schools for 2023-2024 school year.

2. Applicants must demonstrate outstanding academic achievement, leadership potential, and a commitment to community service.
3. Applicants must have a financial need and provide documentation to support their application.

Application Process:
1. Application Form: Interested students must complete the official Lighthouse  Scholarship application form. Click here to download the form.

2. Personal Statement: Applicants are required to submit a personal statement detailing their academic achievements, leadership experiences, community service involvement, and how the scholarship will help them achieve their educational goals.
3. Letters of Recommendation: Applicants must provide two letters of recommendation. These letters should come from individuals who can attest to the applicant’s character, academic abilities, leadership skills, and community service involvement.
4. Financial Documentation: Applicants must submit financial documentation to demonstrate their need for financial assistance. This may include tax returns, pay stubs, or other relevant financial records of their family.
5. Deadline: The Lighthouse Scholarship application deadline is August 10, 2023. Late applications will not be considered.
6. Review and Selection: A scholarship committee, composed of representatives from the Lighthouse Schools administration, faculty, and community members, will review the applications. The committee will evaluate each application based on academic achievements, leadership potential, community service involvement, financial need, and the quality of the personal statement and recommendation letters.
7. Interview: The scholarship committee may choose to conduct interviews with shortlisted candidates to gain further insight into their qualifications and aspirations.
8. Award Notification: Selected scholarship recipients will be notified in writing or via phone call. They will be required to accept the scholarship offer within a specified time frame to secure their award.
9. Scholarship Disbursement: The Lighthouse Scholarship will cover up to the full amount of the annual tuition, which is $25,600. The scholarship funds will be disbursed directly to the Lighthouse Schools to cover the student’s tuition fees.

Non-U.S. residents:

• • Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement with School and Student Services (SSS). Note that the Parents’ Financial Statement for the 2023-2024 school year will be available September 2022. Please be sure to complete the form for the 2023-2024 school year.
  • For families living outside the United States and who do not file U.S. tax documents, please submit official income/asset documentation for 2020 and 2021, such as foreign tax returns and/or official wage statements from employers. If tax information is in a language other than English, please submit a translated copy.
  • We also ask families to complete the International Student Financial Aid Profile form.
  • All supporting documents (official wage statements, the International Student Financial Aid Profile, etc.) are to be uploaded as “Additional Documents” since they are not “required” within SSS.

For questions about using SSS, please call them directly at 800-344-8328.

Supplemental Information

TLS’s financial aid program hinges on parents financing their children’s education to the extent they are able. We assume that each parent in a family will work if there are no elementary school age children in the household. Parents who are not working should be prepared to share why that is the case, and understand that TLS may assign an income for a non-working parent in determining a family’s financial need. Please note:

• • Families who anticipate needing financial aid at any time during their child’s tenure need to apply for financial aid at the time of admission.
  • TLS considers the financial resources of both legal parents, if living, before making an award. The Lighthouse does not feel bound by the assertion, if it is made, that one parent disclaims responsibility for educational expenses. If either legal parent remarries, we consider the obligations of that parent to his or her new family. When a parent with custody remarries, we consider the resources of the stepparent. However, we do bear in mind the obligations of the stepparent to his or her own children.
  • In a divorced or separated family, a separate Parents’ Financial Statement should be submitted for each household.

We appreciate that every family’s situation is different. If you have questions, we are here to help. Please contact Matt Verdi at: matt@tlhschools.org

If you change your mind about requesting aid, please let the Financial Aid Office know immediately.