about our scholarship program

Open Montessori Initiative (OMI) was created in June 2007 to provide financial aid scholarships to families in the Montessori community. The purpose of the financial aid scholarship program is to:

1. Maintain current families in the Montessori school community who have demonstrated a commitment to the Montessori Approach.
2. Encourage new families to attend Montessori schools, bringing gender and age balance to the growing community.
3. Promote demographic, socio-economic, and geographic diversity within the Montessori community.

Financial aid awards are based on demonstrated need and fulfillment of the purpose of the scholarship program. The eligibility for financial aid is based on eligibility of the school, acceptance of enrollment to applied school, and a needs analysis of the information concerning taxable income, assets, and expenses indicated on a completed standard application form.

It is OMI's intention to help supplement a child's tuition, not be the sole source of funding for a child. Each scholarship will be determined by 1) need per applicant, 2) number of applicants per scholarship cycle, and 3) funds available per scholarship cycle.  OMI exists to work with families who desire a Montessori education for their children and are looking for funding to attend Montessori schools.

CONTRIBUTION MATCHING

It is the preference of OMI, though not a requirement, that the following occur:

a. An applicant’s school pledges to match OMI funds for each applicant
b. An applicant first seeks to obtain financial assistance through the school’s financial aid program before submitting an application with OMI.

Please download our school criteria policy here.

PROCEDURE

Each accepted application will be processed through the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS). The SSS is the best-known and most widely-used tool for schools that want to offer and manage financial aid programs equitably and professionally. SSS is a division of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). It provides administrators with an objective assessment of what families can pay for independent education.

Because the demand for financial aid by qualified applicants often exceeds available funds, the OMI Scholarship Committee determines the percentage of need which will be granted based on the recommendations from the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS).

Since the determination of the award is based on the analysis of the information submitted concerning the family’s ability to pay school fees, it is important to have the current and accurate information about the family’s income and assets. This information is kept in the strictest confidence and is reviewed by OMI’s accountant and the Scholarship Committee only.

Any information submitted for consideration can be returned to you upon request to the committee. If parents are separated or divorced, it is important that both parties submit a financial statement. Generally, it is expected that both parents will contribute to their child’s educational expenses.

Application forms for financial aid scholarships are received, processed, and approved according to the current award cycle, receipt of complete application, and availability of funds. We anticipate sending letters awarding scholarships within six (6) weeks of the March 1st deadline* and the September 1st deadline*.

*updated as of June 2008

OMI GRANT SCHEDULE

First Cycle -
Applications accepted from September 2nd to close of business (5:00 pm PST) on March 1st
Second Cycle –
Applications accepted from March 2nd to close of business (5:00 pm PST) on September 1st

If you have any questions about this process, please contact Executive Director of OMI, Kathleen Campos, at 503-919-9820, scholarships@montessori-omi.org.


To apply for a scholarship with OMI, please download the application here.

A complete scholarship packet will contain:

1. Complete and signed application summary form (page 1)
2. Complete and signed application form (pages 4 through 10)
3. Copy of letter of enrollment acceptance from school for which you are seeking financial aid (provided to the applicant by the school on school letterhead)