Tuition Assistance Process

Families requesting tuition assistance must demonstrate financial need and submit applicable United States IRS tax documents. Nantucket Lighthouse School requires all families applying for tuition assistance to complete the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management™ application online each year. As of January 2026, the Blackbaud application fee is $45. Blackbaud determines need using a comprehensive formula that evaluates all aspects of a family’s financial profile.

Blackbaud Financial Aid Management™ processes the information provided and sends the results to Nantucket Lighthouse School. These results help guide the Tuition Assistance Committee in determining eligibility and award amounts. We understand that financial data alone may not fully reflect your family’s unique circumstances, and we strongly encourage applicants to submit a Letter of Support to accompany their financial aid application. Letters may be hand-delivered or emailed to the school’s Business Manager.

Submitting a complete and accurate Blackbaud application by the deadline may positively impact your likelihood of receiving an award.

All tuition assistance applications and related information are kept in the strictest confidence.

Please note that admissions decisions are made independently of tuition assistance awards.

Questions?

For a conversation about our Tuition Assistance Program, kindly contact our Business Manager Olga Vasko at 508-228-0427 or ovasko@nantucketlighthouseschool.org.

Blackbaud Financial Aid Management™ Application Steps

Step 1: Create Your Account

Visit Blackbaud Financial Aid Management™ and create an account using your primary email address as your username. This email address will be used for all communication, including notifications if your application is placed “on hold” due to missing documentation.
After creating your username and password, you will receive a verification email. Click the verification link to activate your account and log in.

The Nantucket Lighthouse School Blackbaud School ID# is 14559.

Applications should be submitted on or before Monday, February 9, 2026.

Step 2: Upload Required Documentation

Upload all supporting documents directly to your Blackbaud Financial Aid Management™ account. Required documentation includes:

• Most recent pay stubs
• Most recent W-2 forms for all jobs
• Most recently filed federal tax returns with all schedules (1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ)
• Most recently filed business tax returns (1120, 1120S, or 1065), if applicable
• Supplemental income documentation such as Social Security income, Welfare, Food Stamps, Child Support, 1099-M forms, Workers’ Compensation, Unemployment benefits, Veterans’ Benefits, Housing Allowances, etc.

If you are unable to provide any of these documents, please submit a special circumstance letter explaining which documents you cannot provide and why. This information will be shared with the Tuition Assistance Committee for review.

Please note:

• If parents file taxes separately, both parents must submit their tax information.
• In cases of divorce or separation, assets of both parents are considered. Both custodial and non-custodial parents must complete the required forms and upload all tax documentation.
• When a parent has remarried, stepparent assets may also be considered, while recognizing their obligations to their own children. Stepparent financial information should be included on the custodial parent’s application.

Step 3: Submit a Letter of Support (Optional but Encouraged)

If you feel the Blackbaud application does not fully represent your family’s financial circumstances, you are encouraged to submit a Letter of Support to the Tuition Assistance Committee. Currently enrolled families may also describe ways they have contributed to the school through fundraising or volunteer efforts.

Letters may be mailed to:
Nantucket Lighthouse School
1 Rugged Road

Or emailed to: ovasko@nantucketlighthouseschool.org