Apply for Financial Assistance

Financial Assistance Application Instructions

Summary

Before discussing the application itself, a couple of items bear mentioning regarding the overall process.

First, Laurence School’s Financial Assistance Committee is sensitive to the type of information collected from your application and, accordingly, will maintain strict confidentiality in its deliberations.

Secondly, the Committee endeavors to distribute awards among qualified applicants on the basis of performance, academics, and behaviors that meet the standards and expectations of Laurence School, as well as the assessed financial need. Should you feel that the application questions do not fully capture the circumstances affecting your family, please feel free to attach a note or explanation to your application.

The Committee will consider all information that is made available. Award notifications will be mailed out in March.

Applications

The full application consists of two components: the School's Confidential Financial Assistance Application (or “CFAA”) form which is available below under the Application Forms and Links tab below; and the FAST application, which is reviewed by our independent evaluator from whom we seek guidance. The FAST application may be filled out via a secure website - a link is included below under the Application Forms and Links tab below.

Required Documents

Before you begin filling out the forms, you will need to collect the following items:

• All 2022 and 2023 W-2 and 1099 forms from your employer(s).
• Your completed 2022 and 2023 federal tax return (e.g., form 1040) and all supporting schedules.
• A check register or similar method for calculating monthly household expenses (e.g., mortgage and rent, insurance, groceries, etc.).

Submission of Forms

After completing your forms, please mail the CFAA form to Shawn Shahmiri in the Business Office at Laurence School, 13639 Victory Blvd., Valley Glen, CA 91401, or drop it off in person. You will submit the FAST application online, which requires a $48 processing fee (to be paid online with a credit card or debit card). Remember to include (scan and attach) all necessary supporting documentation as listed and required by FAST. For assistance in submitting the FAST online application, please call FAST directly at (877) 326-3278.

Other Requirements and Information

Families who are currently receiving assistance must reapply each year and be current with all prior financial obligations to the School (i.e., tuition, fees, etc.) before being eligible to receive assistance for future attendance. Financial Assistance applications for each year are evaluated independently and are not considered based on prior history of financial assistance for the applicants.

Questions

If you have any questions about this information or filling out the CFAA form (the School’s form), please do not hesitate to call the Business Office at (818) 782-4001. In order for your application to be reviewed, all information must be completed and received by the Business Office on or before the February 5, 2024 deadline. Applications which are received after the deadline, or which are incomplete, will be considered only after our initial awards have been made and will be subject to the availability of funds.
 

Frequently Asked Questions

• What if my 1040 form and supporting schedules for the 2023 calendar year are not completed?

You do not need to rush through your 2023 federal tax return in order to apply for aid. It is certainly helpful if the return is available since it presents your most recent financial information. However, if it is not available before the application deadline, fill out the FAST and CFAA forms using estimated 2023 values. In the absence of your 2022 tax return you MUST include your 2022 form 1040, supporting 2022 schedules, and W-2/1099 form(s) for 2022. Applications not supported by your 2022 or 2023 tax return will not be considered under any circumstances.

• I am a divorced or separated parent. Does my former partner need to fill out the application?

Laurence School will consider the assets of both natural parents before making any award and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses, unless a court order is in place to such effect. If such a court order exists, a copy must be submitted along with the application. In addition, Laurence will consider the assets of stepparents; however, we understand that the stepparent’s first obligation is to his or her natural children.

• What do I do if I don’t have all of my 2022 W-2s or 1099s?

Your reported W-2 and 1099 earnings are essential factors in reviewing your application. The most effective way to receive them in a timely fashion is to contact your employer(s) now and confirm that they will be mailed prior to the IRS deadline of January 31.

Applications not supported by your 2023 W-2 and 1099 earning statements will not be considered under any circumstances.

• Do I list all of my children on the top section of the CFAA?

No, only list those children for whom financial assistance is requested. Children for whom assistance is not requested should be listed at the bottom of page 1.
 

• On the CFAA form, there are expense columns for each guardian. My household expenses cannot be separated that easily between parents / guardians. How should I fill out the form?

The two-column format is designed to accommodate dual households or separated families. If this is not your case, include all of the expenses in the “Guardian 1” columns and ignore the “Guardian 2” columns.

• What information is sent to the School and/or FAST?