Plan A - code red
MONDAY, JANUARY 26, 2026 & TUESDAY, JANUARY 27, 2026:
Montgomery County Schools decided to close schools, therefore our school is running on Plan A.
- All classes are cancelled.
- All evening events are cancelled, except if they are online.
- The Online Info Event on Monday at 1pm with Joahannes Wentzel on "Keeping children safe in everyday digital life" will take place. See Wednesday Mail for zoom link.
- The community event Pizza Night at Potomac Pizza on Monday is canceled and may be rescheduled for a later date.
Nachdem Montgomery County Schools beschlossen hat die Schulen im County zu schliessen, gilt an unserer Schule Plan A.
- Der Unterricht fällt vollständig aus.
- Es finden keine Abendveranstaltungen statt, ausser sie sind online.
- Die Online-Informationsveranstaltung am Montag um 13 Uhr mit Johannes Wentzel zum Thema "Kinder sicher in die Medienwelt begleiten" findet statt. Der Zoom-Link ist in der Mittwochspost.
- Die Community-Veranstaltung Pizza Night bei Potomac Pizza am Montag ist abgesagt und wird voraussichtlich zu einem späteren Zeitpunkt stattfinden.
Financial Aid / Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
The German International School Washington D.C. provides need-based financial aid to members of the community who cannot afford tuition and qualify for aid. All information in the application is kept strictly confidential, and ONLY members of the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP) Committee have access to this information. We utilize an independent third party, Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST), in making award decisions. FAST provides the School with a financial need analysis which is based on the Washington Metropolitan area's cost of living and ensures that the process for establishing financial need adheres to nationally established standards. The School encourages all families to apply if they feel they qualify.
Gross household income for families currently receiving Financial Aid from us:
To apply for financial aid, please follow this link to FAST: apply.ismfast.com
Or click this icon: 
Grants are made for one school year only. Therefore, you must re-apply each year.
The FAST process is self-guided. You may navigate in and out of the program, allowing you to partially complete an application and return it later. The charge for the application is $60, which needs to be paid by credit card when the application is submitted.
After submitting the online application, you will be required to mail or upload your 2025 Federal and State tax returns with all schedules and W-2s. If you do not have your 2025 returns, please provide your 2024 tax returns along with your 2024 W-2’s and your 2025 W-2s. If you do not file tax returns in the US, please provide documentation, which supports your financial status and include a letter from your employer with your rate of pay (and that of your spouse if he/she works). Awards typically range from 10% to 40% of tuition. The maximum amount for Preschool is $4,000 per student.
Regarding voluntary unemployment or under-employment (e.g. parent returns to school, decision to stay at home with school-age children), GISW will impute income at the current US Minimum Wage for Montgomery County in the State of Maryland which equates to approximately $16.00 per hour or $33,000 per year. This amount will be added to your reported income when determining qualification for an award. Certain parents who are caring for very young children, a disabled child or elderly relative may qualify for an exemption.
These documents should be uploaded (preferable) or mailed to: (please include the school's name on the envelope):
FAST Processing
ISM (German International School Washington D.C.)
1316 North Union Street
Wilmington, DE 19806-2594
FAST provides phone support Monday - Friday 8:00am – 4:30pm and also provides online email support if you have any questions about the FAST application process. Their phone number is 302.384.9340. Their email support is accessed through the online portal link at schoolsupport@ismfast.com.
All financial aid applications must be submitted by February 15, 2026. The application includes an opportunity to provide any additional information you would like the committee to consider. GISW will email decisions by March 25, 2026. After receiving your award decision, you may ask the Committee to perform a second review if you believe there was an error. Should you decide, based upon the award decision, to withdraw your student's enrollment, you may do so by a date that will be communicated as soon as it is determined, and will be released from the related tuition obligation.
Since funds are limited and demand is high, late filing of materials may result in not receiving a grant. Any application received after the deadline will be accepted for review only. Financial aid may be awarded if funding is still available. Please note that if you experience a change in financial circumstances during the school year which changes your ability to make tuition payments, you may apply/reapply to have your award amount reviewed.
The following links provide information that will guide you through the financial aid application process:
> Family Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
> FAST - Tips for Tax Submissions
> Instructions for the tuition assistance application process
Video tutorials:
> Guide to Completing the FAST Family Application
> How to Upload Additional Documents
With questions please contact April Floyd at 301.767.3810 or afloyd@giswashington.org.
