Step 1.  CLICK on this icon: 

FAST requires a fee of $53.00* payable by Visa or MasterCard. 

FAST HELP is only a phone call or e-mail away.
E-mail: help@ismfast.com
Toll-free phone (24/7): 1-877-326-FAST (3278)

*This fee is determined by FAST and is subject to change without notice.

Step 2.  FILE your 2023 tax return early in 2024. 

• The FAST deadline for receiving your 2023 tax information is April 15, 2024.
• Once the April deadline has passed, families may still apply for aid with the understanding that financial aid funds may not be available. If applying after the April deadline, please contact Brooke Adams at (407) 206-1900 x3324 to discuss availability of funds prior to completing the FAST application.

Step 3. Upload or mail copies of your 2023 tax return(s) (1040) and W-2 form(s) to your FAST profile or to the address below: 

FAST Processing
1316 North Union St. Wilmington, DE  19806

IMPORTANT:
If mailing, you must put "Lake Highland Preparatory School" on the front of the envelope under your return address. Please, also, use the FAST Quick Processing System to print a bar code page to mail with your tax documents.  Bar coded taxes get priority handling!

For assistance in filling out the FAST application, please reference FAST’s Family Manual here: https://www.ismfast.com/pdf/EN/FamilyManual.pdf.

No, Lake Highland Prep has an aid-blind admission policy. Admission Committee members do not know who is requesting financial aid.

Financial aid awards at Lake Highland Prep are based strictly on 1) financial need of the family, as demonstrated through the FAST application and a review of the parents’ 2023 1040 and W-2 tax forms and 2) available financial aid funds. The income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of both parents are considered.

No, Lake Highland Prep enlists FAST to precisely compute each family's need for assistance.  Financial aid decisions are definitive and not subject to appeal following the communication of awards.

Yes, Lake Highland Prep limits the awarding of financial aid to two children per family at a time.

Yes, if all minor children in the family are in school.

Yes, for audit and compliance purposes, the income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of both parents are required. Custodial and non-custodial parents must complete the FAST application and submit copies of their 2023 tax returns and W-2 form(s).

Remarriage of either parent creates a new family unit. On the FAST application, each parent should include information relating to their “new” family, specifically financial information on a new spouse (step-parent).

The Financial Aid Committee at Lake Highland Prep considers both parents’ ability to contribute to tuition, not their willingness. It is the custodial parent’s responsibility to ensure that the FAST application is completed by all parties by April 15, 2024.

The School recognizes that, at times, unusual circumstances may make it difficult for both parents/guardians to obtain and supply financial information. In these cases, an electronic request form must be submitted for the School’s consideration before further review of the financial aid application. Each request is reviewed on a case-by-case basis and parents/guardians may be asked to submit additional documentation. If either parent/guardian declines to submit the required information, the decision to award aid and/or the amount of aid may be affected. For access to this electronic request form, please email Brooke Adams at badams@lhps.org.

Unfortunately, financial aid is not available to mid-year starts.

Unfortunately, financial aid is not available to international students.

No. Lake Highland families who currently receive financial aid must re-apply annually.

Lake Highland does not accept federal scholarships such as the McKay or Step-Up for Students scholarships.

Lake Highland does not offer any other form of financial assistance outside of need-based financial aid.