Tuition Assistance

Valley Beth Shalom Harold M. Schulweis Day School is committed to providing quality Jewish education. In some cases this requires tuition assistance for families in need. The VBS Day School Tuition Assistance Committee has developed the process outlined below. Every attempt is made to meet the financial needs from year to year. Funds available for assistance are limited and we request that all information be as complete and as accurate as possible. Please note that all tuition assistance awards are for one year only and a new application must be completed each school year.

In order to process the applications that we receive in a fair and equitable manner VBS Day School uses the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management system. The Blackbaud Financial Aid Management system is designed to provide the VBS Day School Tuition Assistance Committee with an analysis that allows us to establish financial need accurately. Please know that all information submitted throughout the process is kept strictly confidential.

Here are the steps to complete the Tuition Assistance process. Applications for the 2025-2026 school year must be submitted by January 15, 2025.

STEP 1:

Apply online through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management system at https://studentfinancialaid.blackbaud.school. There is a $45 fee per family to apply online ($55 for Business Owners).

STEP 2:

The tuition assistance award will be final once you have completed the enrollment process by returning your contract, deposit and payment plan for next year. Enrollment in VBS Day School also requires membership with Valley Beth Shalom. Those who receive tuition assistance will also be granted reduced dues on their membership.

The Tuition Assistance Committee and the Temple Special Dues Committee make great efforts to distribute our limited funds in the fairest manner possible. You only need to complete the materials requested here to be considered for assistance for both tuition and Temple membership. The following general guidelines are provided to help you understand some of the factors considered in the application:

There is no set income or asset level that determines whether an applicant qualifies for aid.
We expect that if a family is applying for aid at VBS Day School and they have children in other tuition-charging schools and/or colleges, they will also apply for aid from those schools.
In cases of separated or divorced parents, we need the same documentation from both parents, regardless of court ordered custody or support. VBS Day School cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. Both households are required to submit their information on the application, and the Committee will determine financial need based on both household's financial circumstances.
All of our financial aid recipients are granted partial awards; the school expects that families will fulfill their remaining financial obligation in accordance with our regular payment schedules.

Please contact Orit Rappaport, Director of Operations at orappaport@vbsds.org or 818.530.4042 if you have any questions.

Tuition Assistance FAQs

List of 6 items.

How is Tuition Assistance Awarded?

Valley Beth Shalom Day School uses a third party company called Blackbaud Financial Aid Management, which assists independent schools in determining a family’s financial need. Families submit an application along with tax documentation to Blackbaud Financial Aid Management. From the information provided on this application, Blackbaud Financial Aid Management uses a standardized calculation nationally accepted by independent schools to compute a family’s tuition contribution. The application takes into consideration items like gross taxable income, assets, liabilities, family size, and number of children attending tuition-charging schools. The information is reviewed by the Tuition Assistance Committee at VBSDS and is used as a guideline in determining financial assistance decisions. All awards are based on a family’s demonstrated financial need.
When Do I Receive the Tuition Assistance Decision?

Returning families will receive the tuition assistance award decisions in January. Applicant families will receive their admission decision in March. The tuition assistance award decision will be included in the admission decision package.
What Payment Plans are Available?

It is the policy of Valley Beth Shalom Day School that all tuition and fees are due by the end of the school year. We offer different tuition payment plans including a 10 month payment plan. Acceptable forms of payment include ACH and credit cards (with an additional transactional fee). Payment plans must be set up at the time of enrollment or VBSDS reserves the right to forfeit your child's space.
How Can I Be Assured That My Information is Kept Confidential?

Applying for tuition assistance at Valley Beth Shalom Day School is a private matter between the family and the school. The Tuition Assistance Committee conducts a comprehensive review of a family’s personal financial situation, and that review is not discussed with any other person outside of the Tuition Assistance Committee. In an effort to protect a family’s privacy, we expect all tuition assistance applicants to exercise discretion during the process by not discussing their tuition assistance application or award with other families.

In addition, the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management system places a priority on collecting and processing a family’s documents in a safe and efficient manner. When documents are sent to the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management system, families submit their information to Blackbaud Financial Aid through a secure server. Families are able to track receipt of the documents sent to Blackbaud Financial Aid through a unique password-protected account.
What Happens If Parents Are Divorced or Separated?

In the case of divorced or separated parents or parents that have never married, the Tuition Assistance Committee considers the income and assets of both legal parents, before making any award, and cannot be bound to the assertion that one parent has disclaimed, legally or otherwise, any responsibility for educational expenses. VBSDS will not become involved in allocating the award on a proportional basis to the families involved, and the responsibility for all communications and payments ultimately lies with the custodial parent. If either parent has remarried, VBSDS will also consider the income and assets of the step-parent, always bearing in mind the financial obligations of that step-parent to his or her own natural children.
If We Are Offered Tuition Assistance This Year, Can We Expect The Same Level of Assistance In Future Years? Do We Have to Reapply For Assistance Each Year?

Yes. Families of Valley Beth Shalom Day School students must complete the financial assistance application process each year and submit the required documentation just as they did during the initial process. If a family's financial picture remains relatively the same from year to year, a family can expect to receive a similar financial award for tuition and related fees each year. The Tuition Assistance Committee will perform a full analysis each year to determine eligibility for continued assistance.

Valley Beth Shalom Day School wishes to thank the Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles for their generous support.

The Jewish Federation has partnered with Jewish day schools for over 30 years to provide financial aid support to offset the cost of Jewish day school. For the 2024-2025 school year, the Federation remains committed to opening new doors to Jewish Day School education and helping returning students with special circumstances and financial need remain in these communities. Applicants have the opportunity to opt in to be considered for Jewish Federation tuition assistance in addition to what may be provided by VBS Day School.

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