Your family’s ability to contribute toward tuition is calculated based on several factors, including your income, assets (such as your house and investments), debts (mortgage and other obligations), family size, and the number of children enrolled in tuition-charging schools or colleges.

After accounting for essential expenses like basic necessities, taxes, and certain other costs, as well as considering the local cost of living, Clarity estimates the portion of your remaining funds available to cover school costs. Clarity then provides the analysis results as a recommendation of your ability to pay to Walker’s. However, the final award determination always comes from Walker’s based on the school’s policies, practices, and available budget. It is important to note that the award decision is not made by Clarity. Failure to comply with financial aid deadlines may disqualify a student from receiving aid.

To apply for financial aid, submit the completed Clarity application. Sign and submit Form 4506c to allow Clarity to request your 2022 taxes from the IRS for automatic uploading of your 1040 and W2s (this process is similar to the FAFSA federal college financial aid application and is fast and secure.). Ensure that your address matches the one on your most recent Form 1040 or your submission could be denied.

Business owners should check the document section for K1/1099s, 1120S, or 1065 tax documents.

For special considerations, contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.

If you have questions while completing your application, you can access Family Support in both English and Spanish, and the application itself is fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner. Additionally, in-app support is available through the “Help” button in the lower left corner or by contacting support@claritytuition.com or +1-206-210-3752.

Families do not need to request or apply for a fee waiver from the school. When a family submits their financial aid application, Clarity automatically evaluates eligibility and applies fee waivers for qualifying families. The assessment considers family size, income, and asset information provided in the application.

Unmarried Couples and Single Parents
The birth parent(s) and guardian(s) must report all income and assets.

Divorced or Separated Parents

Walker’s holds a strong belief in the shared responsibility of both parents for a child’s education. Any legal arrangements or commitments that go against this belief are the parents’ responsibility to negotiate between themselves. In the financial aid assessment process, Walker’s considers the income and assets of both natural parents, even if only one parent supports the student’s attendance at Walker’s. Additionally, in cases of remarriage, the assets of the stepparent will also be taken into account, while keeping in mind their primary obligations to their own children.

Each parent is required to submit their individual financial aid application within Clarity. Please be assured that no financial information between parents will be shared, and each parent’s financial details will be treated as strictly confidential. For further information regarding this policy please contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.

Tuition does not include: books for grades 6–12 (books are purchased online); field trips, such as international trips; some athletic equipment; optional sports fees; and riding lesson fees. For more information, please contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.

The Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) at The Ethel Walker School affords recovery of some or all tuition payments in accordance with the TRP provisions in the event the student does not complete the academic school year. The TRP fee is due in full at the same time as the first tuition installment on or before September 2. The TRP is 3.1% of the net tuition. For more information see the Tuition Refund Guide.