Tuition Assistance

SLC donors have made it possible for my children to have the best experiences of their lives!

– SLC Parent

Commitment to Tuition Assistance

We believe that a Surprise Lake Camp experience should be accessible for every Jewish child, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. SLC’s commitment to tuition assistance has been core to its mission ever since the camp’s founding in 1902.

In fact, according to the Foundation for Jewish Camp, SLC’s capacity to welcome families of all economic means is unparalleled by almost any other Jewish camp in North America. We’re proud of the diverse community this creates–and we’re grateful to the generous donors who share this passion by supporting the Scholarship Fund.

How Tuition Assistance Works

Surprise Lake Camp has a sliding fee scale based on family income / expenses and maintains a deep commitment to ensuring that camp is affordable to all families.

Families must reapply for assistance each year.

Application Deadlines

Your needs-based assistance discount is evaluated based on the current tuition being offered:

  • Summer Discount is in effect through Sep 1
  • Fall Discount is in effect through Oct 31

This means that the earlier you apply for assistance, the better rate we are able to offer. Once your application and ALL supporting documents have been uploaded into FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, it will take approximately 2 weeks to complete and verify your information.

How to Apply

  1. Complete the camp enrollment application by logging into the CampInTouch system.
  2. Submit a deposit of $250 per session, per camper. If the tuition assistance you ultimately receive does not meet your needs and you choose not to enroll, Surprise Lake Camp will return your deposit in full.
  3. Create or log in to your Surprise Lake Camp account on FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment, our partner in managing the application process. Follow instructions there for completing the application and submitting the necessary supporting documentation to FACTS.
  4. First time campers should apply for the One Happy Camper Grant (see our additional resources on our Tuition Discounts & Resources page).

 

FACTS Requirements

FACTS makes quality education affordable for families by assisting organizations in awarding financial aid.

After completing the online application, you will need to upload all required supporting documentation. The following supporting documents are required to complete the application process:

IRS Federal Income Tax Return, including all supporting schedules (the year of the tax return depends on the tax requirements of your camp). If applicant and co-applicant file separately, we require both tax returns for the same tax year.

Copies of all the current year W-2 Wage and Tax Statements for both the applicant and co-applicant. NOTE: If you are applying before you have received all the current year W-2 Wage and Tax Statements, please submit them as soon as they become available.

Copies of all supporting tax documents if you have business income/loss from any of the following: Business- send Schedule C or C-EZ and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization Farm – send Schedule F and Form 4562 Depreciation and Amortization Rental Property – send Schedule E (page 1) S-Corporation – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1120S (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825 Partnership – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1065 (5 pages), Schedule K-1 and Form 8825 Estates and Trusts – send Schedule E (page 2), Form 1041 and Schedule K-1

IMPORTANT: If you file a tax return but do not have W-2 wages because you are self-employed, you will be required to submit a copy of your current year Federal Form 1040 Tax Return.

Copies of all supporting documentation for household Non-Taxable Income such as: Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TemporaryAssistance for Needy Families (TANF). If you do not file a tax return, you are required to provide documentation of all income received.

All documentation received is imaged upon receipt and then destroyed. You may log in to your FACTS user account to review the status of your application. Please allow two weeks processing time before inquiring further about receipt and/or status of the uploaded documents.

NOTE: Award decisions are made by SLC, not FACTS.

Copies of these supporting documents are necessary for FACTS to complete your application:

  • Your most recent Federal tax forms including all supporting tax schedules and W-2s.
  • Supporting documentation for Social Security Income, Welfare, Child Support, Food Stamps, Workers’ Compensation, and TANF, if applicable.

You may submit these materials online by uploading them in pdf format within your FACTS account.

Or, if you prefer, you may mail them to FACTS (not to Surprise Lake Camp). Please include your applicant ID on all mailed correspondence. Your applicant ID will be created when you create your FACTS account.

  • Mail to:
    FACTS Grant & Aid Assessment
    P.O. Box 82524
    Lincoln, NE  68501-2524

 

Questions?

Please contact Abbe, Assistant Camp Director, for a confidential conversation about any questions, concerns, or needs in the Camp office at 845-265-3616 or [email protected]. Please call FACTS Customer Care at 866-441-4637 for help with your FACTS application.