How is Financial Need determined?

SmartAid determines need by using a formula which takes into consideration all areas of a family’s financial situation.

Required Supporting Documentation include:

• Most recent paystubs
• Most recent W-2 forms for all jobs.
• Most recently filed federal tax returns: 1040, 1040A, 1040EZ with all schedules.
• Most recently filed business tax return: 1120, 1120S, 1065 (if applicable).
• Supplemental income documentation: Social Security income, Welfare, Food Stamps, Child Support, 1099-M Forms, Worker’s Compensation, Unemployment, Veterans Benefits, Housing Allowance, etc.
• If you are unable to provide any of the aforementioned items, please submit a Special Circumstance Letter indicating which document(s) you are unable to provide and why. This information will be shared with your school for consideration.

Applications submitted without documentation will not be processed.

Please remember that because a family’s financial situation may change from year to year, it is necessary to apply for aid annually.

How do I apply for Financial Aid?

Step #1:

Submit a completed application online at https://smartaidforparents.com. You will be asked to set up an account (no access code needed).

Creating Your Account
Please visit https://smartaidforparents.com and create your account by entering your primary email address as your username. Smart Aid will use this email address to contact you in the event that your application is “on hold” for missing documentation. Once you create your username and password, you will receive a verification email. Once you click the verification link to verify that you are the account holder, you will be able to log in using the username and password you created. Please be advised that if you do not click the verification link that is sent to your email address, you will not be able to log in or reset your password.

Our school's Smart School ID# is 14559.

Please note that there is a Smart Aid Application Fee of $35 and that your application should be submitted no later than Friday, March 10, 2023.

Step #2:

If you feel the Financial Aid application does not fully capture your family's financial situation, please feel free to send a letter to the Lighthouse School Financial Aid Committee.  If you are a currently enrolled family, you may also list the ways in which you have participated in the fund raising and/or maintenance of the School in 2023-2024.

Your letter should be submitted to Lighthouse School no later than Friday, March 10, 2023. Letters can be dropped off at 1 Rugged Road or emailed to awaig@nantucketlighthouseschool.org.

Step #3:

Upload a signed copy of your 2019 Federal Tax Form 1040 with all your supporting schedules and a copy of your 2019 W-2 to SmartAid no later than Friday, March 10, 2023.

If parents file separately, both parents must submit their tax information.

Awards will be announced by mail on or before April 3, 2023.

In the case of divorce or separation, the assets of both parents are taken into consideration. Both custodial and non-custodial parents are required to fill out the PFS and submit the necessary tax documentation. When a parent has remarried, the assets of the step-parent may also be considered a resource, bearing in mind the obligation of the step-parent to his or her own children. The assets of the step-parent should also be included on the custodial parent PFS. Note: the omission of this information may be a determining factor in the granting of financial aid.

All financial aid applications and information are held in the strictest confidence.

Late forms, errors, omissions in the SmartAid application or letter may negatively effect your chance of receiving an award.

Questions?  Call or email our Business Manager AdaRuth Waig at 508-228-0427.