Why did VES choose Clarity?
a. We have chosen Clarity as our financial aid application provider in order to better serve both our current and prospective families. We are confident that this change is going to make the process of applying for financial aid easier for families.
How does Clarity make it easier for me to apply for financial aid?
a. Clarity offers a streamlined, mobile friendly application that can be completed in as short a time as 20 minutes. Additionally, Clarity removes the need to upload your 2023 W2 and 1040 by transferring them directly from the IRS. This reduces the amount of information that you will need to enter manually and makes it possible to complete the application quickly and efficiently.
Is my information secure with Clarity?
a. VES takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.
Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?
a. Yes, you will need to submit a financial aid application through Clarity each year in order to qualify for a need-based financial aid award; however, Clarity retains your information from previous applications, so it will be even easier to reapply.
Can I complete my financial aid application on my phone or tablet?
a. Yes. Clarity’s application is fully mobile-friendly so you have access wherever you are.
How do I get help if I have questions or encounter issues while completing my financial aid application?
a. You can contact Clarity Support directly by calling 206.210.3752, sending an email to support@clarityapp.com, or by clicking the “Help” button on the lower left-hand corner of each page of the application to connect with In-app support.
Can my financial aid application be evaluated before my student’s admission application is complete?
a. No. Admission applications must be complete before we will evaluate a family’s financial aid application.
Does Clarity determine the financial aid award that my family will receive?
a. No. Clarity collects a family’s financial information – income, assets, expenses, tax documentation – and provides a baseline assessment of a family’s demonstrated need for the VES Financial Aid Committee to consider. The Committee evaluation is governed by a set of standards applied to each application, includes any special circumstances associated with the application, and weighs the application against the prioritization and availability of funds to determine an award.
How are financial aid resources prioritized?
a. Due to limited resources, the submission of a financial aid application does not guarantee a financial aid award offer. Ultimately, the Committee acts in accordance to the strategic priorities and needs of the School. Financial aid resources are awarded in the following priority order:
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Returning families who currently receive financial aid who meet published deadlines
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New families with students entering the 9th or 10th grades who meet published deadlines
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All other families as funds remain available
When do I need to apply?
a. Returning families should submit their financial aid application by December 1 each year. For new families, application deadlines vary depending on the admission deadline you intend to meet. Please follow the below deadlines when submitting both your admission application materials and your financial aid application:
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Early Action (All Students): December 1
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Regular Deadline for Day Students: January 10
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Regular Deadline for Boarding Students: February 1
Please note, if you are a returning VES family who does not currently receive financial aid, your application will be considered after award determinations have been communicated to new families and returning families who already receive a financial aid award.
