Tuition Assistance

Northern Light School is committed to providing a high quality education for children from all socioeconomic and cultural backgrounds, especially those who would not have the opportunity for a private school education. Need-based tuition assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis. Families requesting tuition assistance are encouraged to submit their application and supporting documents to Clarity, an independent third party, as early as possible.

Please note: Northern Light School does not provide full tuition assistance. All families are eligible to apply for tuition assistance since financial profiles vary from family to family. Families approved for sliding scale tuition must reapply annually. Tuition assistance decisions are made independently from admissions decisions.

Tuition Assistance Application

The Northern Light School Tuition Assistance program is designed to make a Northern Light education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. Northern Light School is proud to 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.

Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity Application, as Northern Light School requires you to upload additional supporting financial documentation.

The deadline for completing the financial aid application including relevant supplemental documents is January 31, 2025 for new families, February 28, 2025 for returning families

Please note that submission of the Clarity Application does not constitute automatic approval for tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are no longer available.

Priority Round Applicants (New Families)	January 31, 2025
Returning Families	February 28, 2025
Rolling Admissions	Immediately after you complete the NLS online application

Please Note: 2025-2026 Clarity Financial Aid Application will be available November 2024.

Forms (Click Below for Application):

2025-2026 Clarity Financial Aid Application

Clarity Application Guide

Clarity Quick Reference Guide

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at [email protected] or (206) 210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

BASIC Fund Scholarship

BASIC Fund Scholarships are awarded to low-income families who qualify for the Federal Free or Reduced Price Lunch Program, are entering private school for the first time, and have children entering grades K-8. BASIC Fund Scholarships awarded are up to $2,400 per child per year.

All families that fall within the income eligibility guidelines are

required to apply for the BASIC Fund scholarship

Household Size	Maximum Annual Household Income
2	$45,780
3	$57,580
4	$69,380
5	$81,180
6	$92,980
7	$104,780
8	$116,580

Household Size includes you, your spouse (if living at the same address) and all other family members living at your address for which you claim financial responsibility on your federal tax return. Household income includes the total gross income of all household members.

Please keep in mind that you can only apply the first year your child enters Northern Light School. And the earlier you are able to send in your completed application, the more likely BASIC Fund will be able to provide a scholarship. Applications are due no later than March 15, 2025. Scholarships are awarded on a first come, first serve basis starting in January, until the deadline in March. Complete applications received after the deadline will be placed on a waitlist. Waitlisted applications will be entered into a lottery at the end of the summer.

If you have any questions regarding the application process, feel free to call the BASIC Fund at (415) 986-5650 or visit the BASIC Fund website.

Subsidy Programs

In collaboration with our tuition assistance program, we are proud to partner with local organizations to ensure that our students receive equitable opportunities in education. Below are some child care subsidy options available to qualifying families which further support affordability of tuition and/or extended care fees.

4Cs OF ALAMEDA COUNTY: 4Cs provide access to affordable, quality child care and essential needs by connecting families and providers to a wide network of family-focused resources, financial assistance programs, and community partners. Learn more at www.4calameda.org/

BANANAS: BANANAS mission is to partner with families and child care providers to raise happy, confident children. They offer child care referrals and resources to families with young children and child care professionals in the Northern Alameda County cities of Oakland, Berkeley, Albany, Piedmont, Emeryville, and Alameda. Learn more at www.bananasbunch.org.

HIVELY: Hively believes that everyone should have the resources and support they need to feel supported, cared for, and able to thrive. They help parents find and pay for quality child care, provide parent education and support to ensure that children get the best start possible, provide guidance and training for people interested in building sustainable, high quality child care businesses. Learn more at www.behively.org/