What is Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST)?

FAST is a web-based system developed by ISM which provides a need-based financial assistance analysis service which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition.

Who Makes Tuition Financial Assistance Decisions?

It is important for you to remember that:

• FAST DOES NOT make decisions about the amount of tuition financial assistance awarded by CSCS
  nor does it provide any of the funding for this program.
• All information from FAST is kept confidential. Results are reviewed by the Financial Assistance Committee who makes recommendations to the Superintendent based on next year's budget.
• Awards of tuition financial assistance are made under the direction of the Superintendent and Business Manager, based upon the suggestions received from FAST, and in consideration of the budgeted funds available. Upon approval by the Superintendent, financial assistance offers are then sent to families.
• Funds are provided from donations to underwrite this program.
• You should direct any questions you have about tuition financial assistance awards to the Admissions Coordinator at (719) 268-2188 and not FAST.

Who Will See the Financial Information on my FAST?

As you complete the FAST, you should know that:

• The information you provide will be received and held in complete confidence by FAST.
• The information you provide will not be sold or issued to any credit agency.
• FAST will issue to the Admissions Coordinator a statement which includes FAST's suggestion as to how much tuition you should be able to pay.

CSCS 2013/2014 Tuition Financial Assistance Program Directions/Deadlines

Carefully read through guidelines below.

As a reminder, you must reapply each year. To start the process, please do the following:

*Click on the FAST Icon - 

*The application process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program allowing you to partially complete an application and go back to it at another time. Online e-mail and a 24/7 helpline is provided. Please do not call the school with questions.

*The charge for the application is $38.00 (as of November 1, 2012) and to be paid by credit card at the end of the session. If you do not have a credit card, please call the Admissions Office at (719) 268-2188 for assistance.

*After completing the online application you will be required to mail your 2012 tax returns for both state and federal taxes with all schedules and W-2's along with the Quick Processing Wizard bar code to:

FAST Processing
ISM
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington DE 19806-2594

*Including the School's name on the outside of the envelope will ensure faster processing of your application.

* Current Families - The 2013/2014 Re-Enrollment Application filed with CSCS. Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) Application and the 2012 Tax Returns along with the Quick Processing Wizard bar-code submitted to FAST by March 20, 2013.

* New Families - The 2013/2014 New Student Application filed with CSCS. FAST application and 2012 Tax Returns to FAST along with the Quick Processing Wizard bar-code submitted within four weeks of the New Student application submission. If submitting an application after April 1st, highly recommend submitting the FAST application and tax returns as soon as possible since fewer funds may be available late Spring and Summer.

PLEASE NOTE: Financial assistance will not be awarded until a student has been accepted through either the Re-enrollment or New Student Admissions process.

*Make your tax appointment early if you have an accountant who prepares your taxes.

The goal is to have Tuition Contract issued as soon as possible so decisions can be made. The signed Tuition Contract will secure your student's seat. This new process that has been selected should serve our school family well. Among its many features will be the ability to further secure your financial data and maintain the high degree of confidentiality that past recipients most appreciated.

If you have any questions, please call Kathy Turner at (719) 268-2188 or email her at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .

How do I secure consideration for Tuition Financial Assistance?

A. Returning Families:

1. The 2013/2014 Re-Enrollment Application along with the appropriate non-refundable fees per students must be filed with CSCS. Parents must indicate on the 2013/2014 Re-Enrollment Application that they want to apply for Tuition Financial Assistance while also indicating which Tuition Payment Plan they prefer.

2. The Family Aid for School Tuition (FAST) Application and the 2012 Tax Returns must be submitted by March 20, 2013. Complete the Quick Processing Wizard which is part of the FAST application. Once completed, print out the Quick Processing Wizard bar code and mail it along with the 2012 Tax Returns. Failure to include the Quick Processing Wizard bar code will delay the processing of your FAST application.

3. If the family has any new students to be enrolled in 2013/2014, a New Student Application with appropriate non- refundable fee must be filed for each new student at the same time returning students are re-enrolled.

Returning Families who submit their Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) applications after Wednesday, March 20, will only be considered if there are Tuition Financial Assistance funds remaining after those families who have met the deadline are first considered.

B. New Families:

4. The 2013/2014 New Student Application along with the appropriate non-refundable fee per student must be filed with CSCS Parents must indicate on the 2013/2014 New Student Application that they want to apply for Tuition Financial Assistance while also indicating which Tuition Payment Plan they prefer.

5. The Family Aid for School Tuition (FAST) Application and the 2012 Tax Returns must be submitted within four weeks of when the New Student Application was submitted. Complete the Quick Processing Wizard which is part of the FAST application. Once completed, print out the Quick Processing Wizard bar code and mail it along with the 2012 Tax Returns. Failure to include the Quick Processing Wizard bar code will delay the processing of your FAST application.

C. All Families:
Filing a FAST application will assure their student(s) place(s) is reserved for 2013/2014 during the FAST application process only if all fees are current (review paragraph A or B above.)

6. For those families who meet their respective deadlines, FAST will process their applications and submit its recommendations to CSCS. Tuition Contracts will be prepared by CSCS indicating how much, if any, Tuition Financial Assistance has been awarded to the families. The Tuition Contract will need to be signed and filed with CSCS within (10) Business days from the date the contract was prepared or prior to the student starting school, whichever comes first. If a family does not meet the ten (10) day deadline, their student(s) place(s) will be open to students in the waiting pool and the family will be considered as not returning 2013/2014.

7. Families who did NOT meet their respective deadlines will be sent a Tuition Contract without any financial assistance issued. The Tuition Contract will need to be signed and filed with CSCS within ten (10) Business days from the date the contract was prepared or prior to the student starting school, whichever comes first. If the Tuition Contract is not received by CSCS within the ten (10) Business day period, the family will be considered as not returning in 2013/2014 and the student(s) place(s) will be open to new students in the waiting pool. If FAST application was filed after the respective deadline but the Tuition Contract was returned in a timely manner, the request for financial assistance will be considered to the extent there are funds remaining after the initial awards for financial assistance are completed. Fewer funds may be available late Spring and Summer.

PLEASE NOTE: Financial assistance will not be awarded until a student has been accepted through either the Re-enrollment or New Student Admissions process and the acceptance fee has been paid.

What happens if I miss the FAST Submission Deadline? 

Current Families

If the FAST deadline of March 20, 2013 is missed, the request for financial assistance will be considered to the extent there are funds remaining after the initial awards for financial assistance are completed. Fewer funds may be available late Spring and Summer.

New Families

Please see Program Directions & Deadlines for New Family deadlines.