All parents have an obligation to contribute to their child’s education.  We cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed legally or otherwise any responsibility for educational expenses. Nor can we be bound by one parent refusing to participate in the process.

Viewpoint considers the assets of both parents in reviewing students for a financial aid award. Custodial and non-custodial parents are responsible for educational expenses and therefore both must participate in the financial aid process by submitting the financial aid application form and tax information.

Unless both parents complete the process, the Financial Aid Committee cannot review the request for aid.

If either parent has remarried or is living with another adult who is contributing to the household income, the school will consider the assets of the step-parent or partner, always bearing in mind that the primary responsibility for payment rests with the natural parents.

Requests to not consider a missing parent need to be confirmed by a third party, usually associated with the court. 

The Financial Aid Committee uses the Clarity financial aid application as the basis for its determination of what a family is expected to contribute toward educational expenses. The methodology takes into consideration such things as taxable and non-taxable income, assets and investments, and makes allowances for things such as daily living expenses. The formula also considers family size and the number of children attending tuition-charging schools. We also account for factors relevant to living in Los Angeles and attending Viewpoint School.

Viewpoint’s Financial Aid program requires the submission of tax returns in order to conduct a review. We are unable to consider financial aid applications where no taxes have been filed, or where extensions have been filed.

First, consider the true cost of an independent school education, including tuition, books, lunches, transportation, and other costs, and calculate your ability to cover these costs. 

If you are counting on gifts from relatives, it is important to discuss with them whether or not they can maintain that help over the course of your child’s years at Viewpoint School. Loans are not advisable for secondary education.

If you think you might need financial aid, the time to apply is during the admission process, not after.

The financial aid application process, although separate and distinct, runs concurrently to the admission application process.  It does not follow it. All applicants for admission are evaluated without regard to a request for Financial Aid. However, because we often admit more students who require aid than we are able to fund, admitted students do not always receive aid even if they do qualify. It is possible to be accepted for admission, but wait listed for Financial Aid.

Because Financial Aid is a limited resource, with more applicants than funding available, we do not distribute the awarding of Financial Aid dollars evenly throughout the grades. Generally speaking, older students have a higher priority than younger students. When possible, the Financial Aid Committee strives to make awards throughout all grades, with the exception of Transitional Kindergarten.  At this time, TK students are not eligible to receive financial aid awards. 

The Financial Aid Committee considers candidates the Admission Committee rates highly. While there is a sizeable aid budget, financial aid resources are finite, and we are unable to offer financial aid to all who apply.

Assuming you continue to show demonstrated financial need, we will do our best to continue our financial commitment to your family. You must reapply for financial aid every year with updated information.

Yes. Each year we will ask you to file a new financial aid application and submit your tax declarations and W-2 and/or 1099. The school evaluates financial aid awards annually.

Financial aid applies to tuition and all required school programs. Families receiving financial aid at Viewpoint who also ride the bus may receive a discount in cost equivalent to the percent discount of their financial aid award, assuming that there is space on the bus.

Viewpoint does not offer any merit, talent, athletic, or academic scholarships. All Financial Aid awards at Viewpoint are based on demonstrated economic need that is determined using a national, standardized formula that employs an impartial third-party analysis of a family’s financial situation. The primary responsibility for financing a child’s education rests upon the family.

The deadline to apply for Financial Aid for the next academic year is January 15, 2025 Late applications are considered when there are still funds available, after on-time applications have been reviewed.

Viewpoint expects both parents to contribute financially to their child’s education. If a parent is not receiving a salary, the school will make a financial adjustment to the application to account for the income the parent might receive if she or he chose to work.

Since each application is reviewed individually, there may be a number of exceptions to this policy. Please supply as much information as you can on your application.

Viewpoint maintains a small emergency fund for continuing families who entered as full-pay students, but then later, after enrollment, encountered dramatic, unforeseeable financial reversals. We are certainly happy to help where we can, but this fund is extremely limited. We strongly discourage the approach of applying as a full-pay student if a family knows that they have pre-existing financial needs not disclosed at time of admission. This is a risky proposition because there is no guarantee that Viewpoint can provide assistance, meaning that the student may have to withdraw.  

When a family submits an application for admission without a corresponding financial aid application, they are, in effect, stating that they believe they will be able to cover educational costs for the upcoming year and foreseeable future. Viewpoint then budgets accordingly and commits its limited financial aid funds to other families.

If we can assist you with anything else not covered here, please feel free to contact us at any time:

Patrick LaBo, Admission & Financial Aid Coordinator, patrick.labo@viewpoint.org, 818-591-6560

Laurel Baker Tew, Assistant Head for Enrollment, laurel.bakertew@viewpoint.org, 818-591-6580