AFFORDING CHA

Chatsworth Hills Academy supports a strong, diverse student body that values both socio-economic and cultural diversity. Teaching children to respect and appreciate the beliefs, values, and histories of all individuals is as necessary for success in their world as is a solid grounding in science, math, social studies, and language.

We understand that the cost of attending an independent school is a significant investment in your child's educational future. Chatsworth Hills Academy expects that all families will make reasonable sacrifices to finance the education of their children. Recognizing that every situation is unique, each family's circumstance is thoughtfully reviewed.

Admission and Financial Assistance
It is CHA's policy to admit students without regard to family financial circumstances. The admission process and the financial assistance process are separate processes. Families are encouraged, however, to apply for admission and financial aid at the same time to ensure that the Financial Assistance Committee is able to make decisions in a timely manner.

Applying for Financial Assistance
Chatsworth Hills Academy offers financial assistance grants to qualified Pre-Kindergarten through Grade 8 families based on demonstrated need. CHA uses a third party to evaluate the financial ability of each applicant and to determine an estimate of need. CHA determines financial need through FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition), a service provided by Independent School Management. A FAST form will assist the School's determination of a family's ability to afford the costs of private education.

CHA takes into account income from 2011 for awards made for the 2012-2013 academic year. To apply, please click the FAST button on the right side of the page to access the online, confidential application.  Please follow the application directions carefully. You may complete the application in multiple sessions. 

Financial Assistance Application Deadlines

January 30, 2012 for currently enrolled CHA families
February 17, 2012 for new financial aid applicants

Copies of 2011 federal and state income tax returns (personal and business, if applicable), including all W2 forms and/or 1099s and all schedules must be submitted to FAST by March 1, 2012. Instructions for submitting these documents are included on the FAST website. Please do not submit this paperwork to CHA.

Financial Assistance applications received after the deadline will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis.

Notification of Award
Notifications of tuition assistance awards are generally issued with admission decision letters and re-enrollment contracts. When both the admission application and the Financial Aid application process are completed, a family will receive a Financial Aid decision letter along with the admission decision letter. Current families will receive provisional Financial Assistance awards with re-enrollment contracts. Awards will be confirmed upon receipt and review of the 2011 tax documents. Late forms, errors, or omissions in the FAST application may seriously jeopardize a child's chance of receiving an award.

If you are self-employed and cannot submit your tax returns by the deadline, you can approximate your taxes and submit to us that information. Any award made will be conditional upon receipt of the returns and subject to reconciliation with the new information provided.

Divorced or Separated Families
Chatsworth Hills Academy expects both the custodial and non-custodial parents to participate in the support of their child at CHA. It is up to all parties involved to communicate and participate in good faith in this responsibility. In the case of separation or divorce, the assets of all parents are taken into consideration. Both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete a FAST application and submit the necessary documentation. If a child is living with a parent and step-parent, CHA will also consider the step-parent's income; therefore, the assets of the step-parent should be included in the FAST application. Please note that omission of this information may be a determining factor in the granting of financial aid.

Non-Working Parent
CHA requires that families with a non-working parent submit a statement, along with the Financial Assistance application, if there are no children below school-age at home. The School expects that both parents make every attempt to contribute to the education of their child.

All information received by the Chatsworth Hills Academy Financial Assistance Committee is held in the strictest of confidence. Financial information is never shared with faculty members, donors, or among family members who maintain separate households.

Financial Assistance Requirements
Each Financial Assistance recipient is expected to maintain appropriate academic standards, to behave in a responsible and honorable manner, and to play a positive role in the daily life of the school community. Failure to maintain grades acceptable to the administration will disqualify a student for future Financial Assistance awards. Parents' fulfillment of financial and other obligations to the School will also be considered in renewing Financial Assistance. Summer programs do not qualify for Financial Assistance.

Tuition Discount Program
The Tuition Discount Program is unique from the Financial Assistance Program, and is designed to enhance Chatsworth Hill Academy's ability to reach out to families who may not qualify for Financial Assistance.

This program provides eligible families tuition discounts of up to $2,000 per student for families that would otherwise find it difficult to send their child(ren) to CHA.

If you have any questions, please contact Nancy Salyers, Admission Director, at nancy.salyers@chaschool.org (818) 998-4037, ext. 275.

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