Financial Aid & Scholarships
The Washington Waldorf School’s financial aid program has two goals: to provide qualified students with a Waldorf education who might not otherwise be able to afford one, and to develop a student body that is reflective of the School’s values and mission regardless of financial status. Financial aid decisions in no way impact student admissions decisions.
- Approximately 20% of the WWS annual operating budget is devoted to financial aid.
- 38.4% of students received financial aid this school year.
- The average financial aid award is $17,200.
- Full need financial aid is available for the high school (up to 95% of tuition) through the Susan Anderson Nash Grant. Learn more about the grant below.
We have one of the highest percentages of annual budget devoted to financial aid among independent schools in the DC area which is indicative of our commitment to providing affordable Waldorf education. Financial limitations should not deter a qualified student from applying to the Washington Waldorf School, and parents are encouraged to apply for financial aid. At the same time, the Financial Aid Office is mindful of its obligation to assign funds responsibly, prudently, and consistently.
How to Apply for Financial Aid
We use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.
To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The Clarity Application is also mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.
Aid Priority Deadlines for 2025-2026: Jan 3 for returning WWS families; Jan 31 for prospective families.
Reach out to enrollment@washingtonwaldorf.org with any questions.
WWS offers a rich and engaging curriculum where students experience their learning through lab-based science courses, in-depth mathematics, rich humanities seminars, and a wide range of arts courses. Students engage in theatrical productions, play afterschool sports, and enjoy a range of clubs and electives. We invite students who are interested in broadening their perspectives through study and engagement in a variety of content areas to apply for this new scholarship.
Waldorf Fellowships will be offered to students who have a desire to engage intellectually in multiple academic disciplines and explore a breadth of extracurricular activities throughout middle and high school.
We will offer fellowships in each grade, entering Grades 6 through 12 in the 2025-26 school year, with awards ranging from 30% to 90% of tuition. Scholarships will carry through the term of the student’s enrollment at WWS (e.g., if a student is granted a scholarship in 6th grade, their scholarship will carry through 12th grade).
Eligibility: Open to all prospective students Grades 6-12.
Application Criteria:
Families interested in a Waldorf Fellowship should indicate their interest by submitting a fellowship application.
Students will be assessed for eligibility based on interest and merit in academics, athletics and the arts. Assessment will be based on the fellowship application, as well as admissions application materials. Admissions application materials should be submitted through Ravenna Admit. Fellowship applications should be submitted within a week of the admissions application. Fellowship awards will be announced with admissions decisions.
In keeping with our desire to make it possible for committed WWS/Waldorf families to choose our high school and allow their children to complete their Waldorf education, we offer the Susan Anderson Nash grant.
Any high school student at WWS whose family applies for financial aid and qualifies for assistance beyond our regular 50% cap, will have their high school student’s full need met by a combination of financial aid and the SAN Grant, up to 95% of tuition.
The following describes the process for receiving the grant:
- The family must apply for tuition assistance through our regular financial aid process.
- Families whose financial aid exceeds the WWS 50% financial aid cap, will automatically receive an additional grant to meet their high school child’s full need.
- Families receiving the SAN Grant will be notified at the same time they receive their financial aid award.
- There is no requirement for the high school student to apply or participate in a process to receive this grant.
We are sure Susan Anderson Nash would be very pleased with this award that bears her name. We think she would whole-heartedly approve of the opportunity it offers for many more to have the crowning experience of a full Waldorf education.