Last Updated: 18/06/2024

UWC ISAK Japan Financial Assistance Policy
Created by: Elizabeth Oswald, Director of Financial Assistance (2022)
Reviewed by: Nicolas Carter, Director of Admissions andMalcolm McKenzie, Head of School

Introduction
UWC ISAK Japan is a fully residential international high school for students from ages 15-19
with an annual enrollment of approximately 200 students in Grades 10, 11, and 12.
Approximately 70% of students receive some level of need-based financial assistance.

Programme Philosophy
At UWC ISAK Japan, we believe that all students should have access to an outstanding
education, regardless of financial circumstances. We make every effort to provide financial
assistance to meet the full, demonstrated need of students admitted to the school. In return, we
expect families to be honest about their financial situation, and to make some lifestyle sacrifices
in order for their child to attend UWC ISAK Japan.

Eligibility
All UWC ISAK Japan applicants are eligible to apply for financial assistance, regardless ofnationality or country of residence. UWC ISAK Japan does not discriminate in the administrationof its financial assistance policies due to race, religion, national or ethnic origin, gender, age orsexual orientation.
Students who did not apply for financial assistance at the time of enrollment are not eligible toapply for financial assistance in subsequent years, barring a family emergency or othersignificant, unanticipated change in family circumstances (death or illness of a parent, job loss,etc.). Even in the case of such events, UWC ISAK Japan cannot guarantee that financial
assistance will be awarded.

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Resource Limitations
While we are dedicated to offering financial assistance to as many students as possible, it islikely that we will not be able to meet all requests for financial assistance.

Family and School PartnershipAt UWC ISAK Japan, we feel that students benefit most when families are active partners ineducation. While we are dedicated to providing financial assistance to students in need, we also
expect families to contribute financially to their child’s education whenever possible, even if theamount is small. Families who are unable to provide any financial support are encouraged tosupport their child and the UWC ISAK Japan program in their own way.

Application Process
Any applicant who feels that they are unable to afford the full cost of a UWC ISAK Japan
education is able to apply for financial assistance during the admissions process. Financial
assistance awards are decided by the Financial Assistance Office, independent of admissions
decisions.
We are unable to provide families with an estimate of the amount of financial assistance theymight be awarded if they apply and are admitted to UWC ISAK Japan. All financial assistanceawards will be confirmed and shared with families at the same time as final admissions
decisions are communicated to applicants.

Documentation
In addition to the Financial Assistance Application Form requesting information about family
income, expenses, and assets, parents must submit requested documentation in English orJapanese in order to be considered for financial assistance. In general, parents must submit tax
returns from the most recent fiscal year. If tax returns are not available, parents must submit
official income statements from each employer or other proof of income. Additional documents,including bank statements, rent income statements, etc. must be submitted if requested.

Submission Requirements and Information Accuracy
Financial assistance is awarded based on need. If we discover that we have awarded financial
assistance to a student based on incorrect information, we have the right to reduce or deny
future financial assistance to that student.

Parent Contributions
If parents are divorced or separated with shared custody or financial responsibility for theapplicant, both parents are expected to contribute to their student’s education and will berequired to submit the required documentation as part of the financial assistance application

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process. In addition, the income of stepparents with custody of the applicant will also be taken
into consideration when determining the level of financial assistance awarded.
In the case of two-parent families where only one parent works, UWC ISAK Japan has the rightto adjust the financial assistance calculation based on the non-working parent’s ability to work.
Unless presented with extenuating circumstances, we will assume that the unemployed parent
has the ability to work at least part-time to contribute toward school fees. Families with young
children and/or elderly family members requiring care at home should make us aware of this.

Financial Assistance Awards
UWC ISAK Japan uses a bespoke financial need assessment tool to determine the suggested
family contribution for successful applicants. Prior to determining each family’s financial
assistance award we will evaluate this suggested contribution by considering the limitations ofour tool’s ability to consider contextual information about the national context and family
circumstances of our diverse pool of applicants. After determining the value of any FinancialAssistance to be offered to each family, this will be signed off for final approval by the Head ofSchool before being communicated to the family.
Some families will have a level of income and/or assets that disqualify them from receiving
financial assistance. This decision will be shared with families prior to announcing admissions
decisions to confirm if the family wishes to continue with the student’s application without theprospect of receiving any financial assistance.

Additional Costs
UWC ISAK Japan works to keep additional expenses to a minimum. The cost for National
Health Insurance is included in school fees and, in general, the cost of school activities andProject Week is covered by the school, or funds are available for students with high financial
need who are not able to pay for extra expenses.
The school charges an IB Years Fee for students in Grades 11 and 12. This fee is waived forstudents accepted through the National Committee entry pathway, and for all other students theIB Years Fee is prorated in line with their financial assistance award, if any. Additionally, we
have a budget for School-Supported Self-Taught (SSST) IB Language course tutoring fees, andstudents who are receiving full or high financial assistance can have their SSST tutoring feespartially or fully paid for by the school.
Except in extremely rare cases, the following are examples of items that are generally NOT
covered by financial assistance at UWC ISAK Japan.
●●●●

Airfare to/from Japan and transportation to campus
School supplies
University application fees and standardized testing fees
Pocket moneyLast Updated: 18/06/2024●●Security Deposit
Travel money during long school breaks

A limited number of waivers are available for standardized tests for university applications andthe University Advisors can also help students with limited financial resources request
application fee waivers for university applications. In addition, students receiving full financial
assistance for tuition are eligible to borrow a laptop computer and graphing calculator for theduration of their time at the school.

Appeals
If a family believes that the financial assistance awarded is insufficient to meet its needs, they
may file a written request to the Financial Assistance Office. Appeals have to include informationthat was not previously available, clarification of an item, or an extenuating circumstance.

Ongoing Commitment from UWC ISAK Japan
In general, we will provide the same level of financial support during a student’s time at UWCISAK Japan, as long as the student remains in good standing and the family’s financial situation
has not changed significantly. Families must re-apply for financial assistance each year bysubmitting an up-to-date financial assistance renewal application form and relevant supporting
documentation. Families with more than one child at the school only need to submit one form.

Student Responsibilities
A student’s attendance, academic performance at UWC ISAK Japan, maintenance of strong
character, and cooperation within the school community are required for continued financial
assistance at UWC ISAK Japan. If a student does not meet his or her responsibilities, UWCISAK Japan has the right to withdraw financial assistance in subsequent years.

Family Resources
We reserve the right to adjust or withdraw financial assistance if a family’s lifestyle does notreflect the information provided on the financial assistance application form. Financial
assistance may be reduced or eliminated if it becomes clear through spending, travel, or otherhabits and behaviours that the family as a whole has more disposable income than originallydeclared.

Confidentiality
UWC ISAK Japan respects the privacy and confidentiality of students, parents, and spouses
through the Financial Assistance process. All information submitted to UWC ISAK Japan will beheld in strict confidence and we will use the information for determining financial assistanceawards only. UWC ISAK Japan maintains confidentiality and expects the same of parents andguardians.