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Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Admissions

How does financial aid work exactly? Like what qualifies a family?

Harvard-Westlake School offers a need-based financial aid program designed to ensure that qualified students can attend regardless of their family's financial circumstances. Approximately 20% of the student body receives some form of financial assistance.

Coverage of Financial Aid Financial aid grants cover more than just tuition; they also include expenses for books, course materials, required athletic equipment, school-related trips, and allowances for the bookstore and cafeteria.

Eligibility Criteria

  • Demonstrated Need: Families must show an inability to pay full tuition based on total income and assets.
  • No Income Cutoff: There are no specific income limits; families can use an online estimator to assess potential tuition responsibilities based on their income range.
  • Application Timing: Financial aid applications must be submitted at the time of admission; late applicants generally cannot receive aid unless facing unforeseen financial changes.
Application Process Applications are submitted through the Clarity Application platform, requiring documentation such as household income, asset values, and tax returns. The application fee is waived for those applying for financial aid. Key deadlines include:
  • Returning Families: November 20, 2025
  • Applicant Families: January 16, 2026
Decisions are announced online on March 13, 2026, alongside admission notifications. For further inquiries, families can contact the Financial Aid Office at (818) 487-6562 or via email at financialaid@hw.com.

Recent questions at Harvard-Westlake

Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Admissions

Given that re-enrollment contracts are due February 13 what is the procedure for families awaiting conditional financial aid appeals before committing to the 2026–2027 tuition deposit

Families at Harvard-Westlake who are waiting for financial aid appeal decisions before the February 13, 2026 re-enrollment contract deadline should take proactive steps to ensure their needs are addressed.

Direct Communication Required It is essential for families with significant extenuating circumstances to reach out to the Financial Aid Office as soon as possible. This communication is crucial for discussing the potential for conditional enrollment based on the outcome of their appeals.

Documentation for Appeals The school typically requires documented proof of unforeseen emergencies or financial reversals for an award review. Families should prepare any necessary documentation to support their appeal.

Contact Information For specific instructions or to inquire about the status of an appeal, families can contact:

  • Greg Gonzalez, Director of Financial Aid: 818-487-6607 | ggonzalez@hw.com
  • Marian McCorry, Associate Director: 818-487-6605 | mmccorry@hw.com
  • General Email: financialaid@hw.com
Financial Aid Resources Further information can be found on the Harvard-Westlake Financial Aid page, which outlines the application and review process.

picmapped98
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Registrar

Sorry for the complex q - with HW summer program registration opening this month, which for-credit courses are recommended to clear the summer health or speech requirements to make room for a dual-language schedule in the fall? thx!!

With the Harvard-Westlake summer program registration opening this month, students aiming to accommodate a dual-language schedule in the fall can benefit from specific for-credit courses designed to fulfill graduation requirements.

Recommended Courses

  • Speech Requirement: The Public Speaking course is the primary option available during the summer, which is essential for fulfilling the communication requirement.
  • Health Requirement: The Health course offered through HW Online is a common choice for students, allowing them to clear this requirement and free up their fall schedule for dual-language studies.
Additional Options

While the focus is on Health and Speech, students may also consider other for-credit courses such as Geometry, French 1, and Spanish 1 & 2 to meet year-long requirements.

For more details on course offerings and registration, please visit the Harvard-Westlake Summer Programs portal.

Anonymous
•This response has been verified in line with school guidance.
Wellness

Does my son have a personal counselor who can work with them for college admissions, or do we need someone outside the school?

At Harvard-Westlake, each student is assigned a personal counselor, referred to as a Dean, starting in their sophomore year. This model ensures that your son will have consistent support from the same Dean throughout his junior and senior years, providing a tailored approach to college admissions.

Counseling Support

The Deans at Harvard-Westlake integrate academic advising with college counseling, offering:

  • Expert Guidance: They are well-versed in recommending colleges that fit your son's profile and can provide insights into admission statistics relevant to Harvard-Westlake students.
  • Individualized Sessions: Your son will have one-on-one meetings to discuss college selection and application strategies, ensuring a personalized approach to his college journey.
Considering External Counselors

While the support from the Deans is comprehensive, some families opt for external college consultants for additional assistance. This may be beneficial if your son requires:

  • Intensive daily oversight
  • Specialized support for athletic recruitment
  • Additional brainstorming for essays beyond what the Dean can provide
Firms like Cardinal Education and Ivy Coach are known for their experience with Harvard-Westlake students, should you consider this route.

For more information, you can access the official College Counseling Handbook through the Harvard-Westlake Student/Parent Portal.

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