Financial Aid. Tuition Assistance. Scholarships. FAST gives you the right information to make the right decisions.

For the first time, you have a financial aid option that is easy to understand, easy to use, and easy to adjust. That's FAST, powered by ISM, and it's the most precise way to make financial aid award decisions that benefit your families and your school.

• FAST will help you put your dollars in the right hands—and quite possibly improve your full-pay numbers.
• The FAST formula is automatically adjusted to your local cost of living—and you can make other adjustments based on your knowledge of the area and your families.
• FAST results are immediate and confidential. Once a family clicks "submit," the application is available to you. And FAST does not send any award recommendations directly to applicants. Only you see those recommendations.
• We take care of all the paperwork. All tax and other forms come to us for verification and scanning. You have access to all documents via PDFs.
• FAST lets you include extra questions that are important to your school, and send e-mail blasts
  out to your families. And you can generate any kind of report you want.
• Our customer service is unrivalled—available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to you and your families. And FAST never closes. You can use FAST year-round.

Join the rapidly growing number of schools that are using FAST, and seeing the difference in their awards!

Already signed up for SSS, FACTS, TADS, or any other financial aid service for next season? No problem. FAST will reimburse you upon receipt of your paid invoice!

School General Questions

• How do I contact the good people behind FAST?
  
  
  We're available to take administrators' calls at 302-384-9340 from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EDT Monday through Friday. If you find you can't reach us—or you just don't feel like picking up the phone—you can send an e-mail to help@ismfast.com any time, day or night, and we'll get back to you.
• How much is FAST going to cost my school?
  
  
  We know what you're thinking—a program with all these benefits and options will easily cost your school thousands of dollars a year. FAST is FREE for ISM's Consortium members (membership has its privileges) and costs a mere $200 per year for non-member schools. There are no hidden fees, either. Parent user guides, tax envelopes, and any other paper you might need are free to you.
• Families come in all shapes and sizes. Can FAST handle my diverse application pool?
  
  
  Yes. FAST is designed for all kinds of families, and separated or divorced parents can fill out the application from different locations at different times. Financial information is kept separate and private, which is particularly helpful in cases of joint custody.
• How long do I have to wait for application results with FAST?
  
  
  We hate waiting just as much as you do, and we want you to do as little of it as possible. So we designed FAST to be, well, FAST. Once the application is submitted, it goes directly to your school's "new" folder and you are notified via e-mail. Then you can begin any internal processes right away. You can set the e-mail option to alert you immediately when an application is received—once a day—or not at all.
• What kind of support does FAST provide for me as an administrator?
  
  
  FAST isn't going to leave you—the financial-aid administrator—stranded. First, there is the administrator hotline, staffed with professionals who know FAST and understand private-independent schools. You can also log on to a FAST support web seminar (our IT guys call them "Webinars") to get quality training right in the comfort and convenience of your own office. Or join other Financial Aid Officers on the FAST Blog, where you can gain knowledge and insight from your professional peers around the nation—and ISM's financial aid experts.
• What does it mean to be able to "dig down deep" with FAST?
  
  
  FAST helps you to see all of the family's finances quickly and easily, so you get a clear view of whether a family truly needs aid or really just needs to move education higher on its priority list. While most files simply run through your system, some applications need a second look, and FAST lets you analyze parent data to ensure that you're awarding your school's resources to applicants who truly deserve it.
• Will FAST help me organize my applications?
  
  
  Yes. Think of FAST as your personal assistant, helping you to organize applications into various folders. These "bins" as we call them are easy to access, and you can move the application to different folders as it moves through the system. FAST can also set up "flags" that will automatically call your attention to a particular circumstance (for instance, if an applicant has business income). If you would like to have last year's financial aid data to use as a comparison, you can do that, too.
• What can FAST do to help my Financial Aid Committee?
  
  
  Financial Aid Committees love FAST (and hey, FAST is quite loveable). Members can meet together and discuss each file as it is projected up on the wall or on each committee member's laptop (so there's no need to make copies for everyone). Committee members can review applications at any time, and from any location that has Internet access. One additional benefit is that you use less paper, creating a process that is very "green."
• Does FAST allow me to present files to the Financial Aid Committee using a "blind" process to remove the identity of applicants?
  
  
  Indeed it does. You can add or remove as much information as you deem fit for your presentation. Then kick back, relax, and rest assured that your school's financial aid can be awarded fairly and equitably.
• What do you mean when you say FAST is customizable?
  
  
  Since every school's financial-aid parameters and requirements are different, FAST lets you set a host of "thresholds" that allow you to customize your financial aid criteria based on your school's mission, values, and goals. You can control things like charitable contribution allowances, attract more "partial pay" families, use your financial aid strategically to help fill seats with mission-appropriate children, and much more.
• I have a boarding program. Can I make financial aid decisions based on the applicant's local economy as opposed to a national standard?
  
  
  Yes. Whether a student lives in Albany, Arizona, or any point in between, FAST will help you take the student's local economy into consideration.
• What if I have parents who speak Spanish?
  
  
  ¿Necesita ayuda? Sin problema—se habla Espanol! FAST offers outstanding 24/7 customer support for parents that speak English or Spanish.
• What kind of support does FAST provide for parents?
  
  
  The online parent application side of FAST is laid out clearly in sections, and every line of the application that asks for a number has an associated "help bubble" that explains the field in detail. There is also a downloadable paper worksheet to help organize the information FAST requests.
  
  And FAST doesn't sleep, either. Our help line is always there, 24/7/365, to make the application process painless and easy. Parents can call in or e-mail their questions—whichever they prefer. And remember, support is available for Spanish-speaking parents as well.
• Where do parents fill out their financial-aid applications?
  
  
  Once your school signs up with FAST, we'll provide a link on your website that parents can use to start (or finish) the application process at their own convenience.
• What if one of our existing parents run into financial hardship? Does FAST take these kinds of events into account?
  
  
  Within the application, FAST allows families to explain their current financial situation and any circumstances that may not be reflected in the numbers they are providing. Getting this information allows you to respond to current financial crises—and you can support these families by adjusting their applications, thanks to FAST's flexibility.
• Does FAST send an award amount to the applicants?
  
  
  We keep things confidential, letting you and your aid committee know the suggested award amount without sending that information to the family. This approach avoids setting false expectations (either low or high) that a premature award amount can create for families. The school maintains the maximum flexibility in working with each individual parent.
• How long does it take for parents to complete the application form?
  
  
  Not very long at all. Once parents have all the documents necessary to complete the application—tax forms, mortgage information, etc.—it takes about 45 minutes to one hour. FAST is designed to save the information that parents have input, allowing them to complete the application at their convenience, in one sitting or several. Plus, there is a downloadable paper worksheet available to help you organize the information FAST requests.
• Who pays for FAST, the school or the parents?
  
  
  Parents pay $36 per application. This fee can be paid for with Visa or MasterCard. Some schools opt to pay the fee, either directly or by including it in the school's tuition costs—and that's okay, too. With FAST, payment options are completely your school's choice.
• What if parents don't have a credit card?
  
  
  FAST has a voucher system for parents who don't have a credit card. They simply pay your school the application fee, you generate a voucher, and ISM bills the school once a year for all vouchers used.
  
  Schools are given two free vouchers every year, and Consortium members receive four free vouchers. You can distribute these to applicants based on exceptional hardship or for mission-related reasons. Additional vouchers can be purchased from ISM.

FAST for ACSI Member Schools

• What is the benefit of being an ACSI Member school?
  
  
  As a benefit of Association partnership, ISM will waive the $200 start-up fee for all ACSI schools.
  
  
• Does FAST fit our school's unique, Christian mission?
  
  
  ACSI schools can customize the service in ways that match your school's specific needs.
• I've read through all the FAQs and still have questions. Who can I contact that will understand my school's situation as an ACSI member?
  
  
  A FAST customer service representative is available to answer your questions from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST Monday through Friday. You can reach them at 302-691-0393. If you find you can't reach us—or you just don't feel like picking up the phone-you can send an e-mail to help@ismfast.com any time, day or night, and we'll get back to you.

FAST and Your Computer/Internet

• What computer compatibility issues do I have with FAST?
  
  
  There are no computer issues when you're using FAST. If you have access to the Internet through any of the major browsers (Explorer, Safari, Firefox, etc.), you should have no problem gaining access to FAST.
  
  Since FAST is Web-based, each computer accesses the program on its own terms. This is particularly important for the Financial Aid Committee, as it's not a problem if one member has a Mac at home and another uses a PC in the office—they can both access all the information they need, in their own context, to make financial aid decisions. And they can do it at any time and from any location that has access to the Internet.
• Can I track my financial aid budget with FAST?
  
  
  Yes. FAST allows you to set your financial aid budget and tracks how much you have left. FAST does not stop you from going over budget, but it will show that you have exceeded the set amount by showing your overage in red.
• Can FAST help me protect my school against financial aid fraud?
  
  
  You bet it can. FAST has your school's best interests at heart, and helps you to dig as deep as you need to on any given application. We also verify the taxes of all applicants, so you can rest assured that the tax information reflects what was reported to the IRS. No system is foolproof, but FAST gives you the tools you need to protect your school's resources.
• Will FAST help me archive my financial aid applications?
  
  
  Yes. FAST is designed to help you archive information electronically, so you can have quick and easy access to the records of past applicants in your computer files. Plus, you won't have to waste money housing voluminous amounts of files and paperwork in the local storage.
• Does FAST keep my private information safe and secure?
  
  
  Absolutely! All information is security encoded, transferred over the Internet's secure layer, and housed on servers that use up-to-date security precautions. FAST was designed so that the information is separated in its raw state and a family's data cannot be seen in a readable fashion. Also, NO credit card information is stored by FAST, and no Social Security numbers are connected to any financial information.

You Might want to know...

• Who is ISM and why does that matter?
  
  
  This is important because FAST is not a software company that decided to work with schools. We are a consulting company that has been fully focused on private-independent schools for more than 30 years. We have researched and written about financial aid theory and practice, and we know what your school needs to fill seats and assure its viability.
  
  ISM is the industry leader in management solutions for private-independent schools. We have worked with thousands of schools in the areas of governance, management, planning, evaluation, scheduling, and marketing, and we have trained more than 15,000 school administrators in our workshops.
• How can I learn more about FAST?
  
  
  Call Rochelle Reiss, FAST Client Services Specialist, at 302-384-9340. She'll be glad to answer any questions and set you up to take FAST for a trial run.

For Parents

FAST 24-hour Call Center:
877-326-FAST (3278)
Open 24/7/365
Se habla español

For Schools and Parents

FAST Client Services:
302-384-9340
8:00am-4:30pm EST
Monday through Friday

By e-mail: help@ismfast.com

Feedback

We are always trying to enhance or site to make your experience better. If there is something that you'd like to see in a future site update or just have general suggesions/comments, click here to provide feedback.

Request Live Demo

Interested but still have questions, or just want to see FAST in action? Click here and one of our FAST Advisors will contact you to set up your live demonstration.

Meet The Team

Whether you're a member who's lost their contact information or if you're not and would like more information about FAST, you'll be talking to one of these freindly folks. Have a question they have the answers. Click here to meet the team.

FAST for Private School Financial Aid

Easy to understand. Easy to use. Easy to adjust. That's FAST, the hottest tool to make financial aid award decisions that benefit your families and your school.

The demand for tuition assistance is spiraling, but your budget isn't. You need laser-like precision to figure out which families have a real need. FAST will help you make the best decisions.

FAST gathers the right amount of information, adjusts it for your local cost-of-living, and applies our easy-to-understand formula to give you a real picture of your families' ability to pay. You can add questions specifically for your school. And, you have complete control to make adjustments you see fit because, frankly, you know your families better than any outside service. You will award the most deserving families, and not make awards to those who really don't need it.

Just ask Hank Hewitt, Admission Director for Scranton Preparatory School in Pennsylvania.

"With FAST, the data was at hand and accurate. We have the highest number of full pays in the history of our school. Simply stated, we gave the same amount of money, or proportionally more, to fewer people. That is a good thing by the mission of our school."

FAST is Web-based. All you need is a computer and Internet access. All application information is stored on our servers, and accessible 24/7. Your committee can work on applications together, or individually. You can also remove the applicants' names when going to committee for a truly blind awarding process.

FAST takes the paperwork out of your hands. We receive all the forms and verify all the taxes. Everything is available to you online as PDF files.

Our customer service is second to none. Someone is available to answer your questions, and answer your parents' questions, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. And FAST processing is available all year; it doesn't close after "financial aid season."

Mission Statement

ISM is dedicated to the advancement of school management. ISM provides creative strategies by combining extensive research, proven management techniques, and personalized service.

A Brief History

Starting in 1975 with Ideas & Perspectives, an advisory letter for Heads, Trustees, and other key managers, ISM has grown in direct response to the needs of the independent school community. New services have been added over the years to make ISM the only comprehensive management-support firm for private-independent schools in the United States and abroad. Administrators in schools of all types and sizes turn to ISM for advice and assistance on an array of management challenges, including student recruitment and retention, risk management, tailored insurance policies, retreats, compensation, evaluation, fund raising, strategic and long-range planning, Board/Head relations, personnel, plant expansion, mergers, and leadership training.

Privacy Policy

All information you provide is for ISM use only. Your name, school, and other data you submit via online registrations and shopping carts will not be made available to any other individual, business, organization, or agency.

Assisted Mode

No need to review applications line-by-line if you don't want to! Let FAST be your guide. With Assisted Mode FAST alerts will let you know where you need to jump in and take a closer look.

Assisted Mode helps you review your applications even faster than before.

Confidentiality Mode

Yes, FAST collects a lot of financial information to determine if a family can pay your tuition.

If your school believes that viewing a family's financial information is invasive, FAST now has a Confidentiality Mode that gives you the bottom line award recommendation without revealing the names or numbers of applicants.

Classic Mode

Classic Mode, is your key to unlock all of the data a parent enters for each application. You are also able to make adjustments to determine awards manually.

Classic mode is a more hands on approach that lets you see exactly how FAST made the award recommendation.

Upgraded Tax Verification System

We've taken the paperwork off your desk, and now we've adopted touch screen technology and bar code scanners to the system. This means that verified tax information will be available to you faster than before.

Intuitive Tax Form Collection

FAST has always made your life easier by collecting and verifying tax information. You can access that information via PDF in a family's application. Now, FAST makes it easier to decide what forms you want us to collect.

This is where the intuitive part comes in. Every time you decide NOT to collect a tax form, FAST tells you how the application—and ultimately the award determination—will be effected.

Export to Excel

Financial Aid Managers love this—and it's been a FAST mainstay. FAST lets you export any report you can imagine to Excel. All you do is select what fields you want to include, and voilá! You have an Excel file.

More Features Available in FASTv3

No Paperwork—We Verify Taxes for You

Parents send all of their tax forms and other necessary documents to us, not you. We do all the verification, and scan every document. All of the forms are available to you as PDFs, saving you time, space, and money.

School Specific Questions

FAST lets you ask an unlimited number of questions that are not automatically included in the application. If it's important to your school then you have the freedom to include it in the application.

Family Financial Aid History

Each family's financial aid history is linked to each applicant. You can check on past applications and awards within a family's current application, eliminating the need to dig through last year's paper files.

E-mail Notification

FAST e-mail notifications let you know when an application has been received. You can choose to have an e-mail sent for each application or a daily reminder of all the applications that you have received each day.

E-mail Blast

FAST lets you send group e-mails based on a parent's status. For example, you can send a group e-mail to all parents who have been granted aid. That's just one example. Choose from 10 preset group statuses, with more on the way.

Help For Families

Live telephone help is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Help Bubbles pop up when a parent clicks on any field that they need to fill in explaining exactly what information FAST is looking for.

FAST Blog

The FAST Blog is used by our financial aid advisers to keep you informed about financial aid topics and trends and also to keep you up-to-date with any changes to the system. When you become a FAST user you have direct access to the Blog and can use it to ask questions, start conversations, or chat with other FAST users.

Multilingual

FAST can accomodate English—and Spanish-speaking families. The application, parent user guides, and the phone support are all available in English and in Spanish. Additional language packs will be added soon.

Feedback

We ask for your feedback about FAST, and we ask your applicants as well.

All of your parents' comments are available for you to see, completely unedited—good, bad, and great.

Product Tour

The idea of switching to a new financial aid assessment program is a scary one. Especially if you've been using the old standby. We understand and that's why we've made the "switch" easy for you. Find out how by requesting a free demonstration.

You'll learn:

• About the history of FAST
• How to setup and use the different modes included within FAST
• How FAST calculates awards
• How to make the switch
• Much more...

Requesting a free demonstration is easy. Simply fill out the small form below and one of our FAST Field Advisers will contact you to schedule a live demonstration. You can also call us at 302-384-9340 to schedule one. You decide.

Privacy Statement

School Pricing

We know what you're thinking—a program with all these benefits and options will easily cost your school thousands of dollars a year. But it doesn't! FAST is FREE for ISM's Consortium members and costs $200 per year for non-member schools.

There are no "add-on" charges. Parent User Guides, forms, and envelopes for applicants to mail tax forms to us are all provided to you absolutely free—shipping included.

Already signed up for SSS, FACTS, TADS, or any other financial aid service for next season? No problem. FAST will reimburse you upon receipt of your paid invoice!

Applicant Pricing

Parents pay a total of $36 to apply (using Visa or MasterCard), whether they have one or more children, and an additional $10 per school if they are applying to multiple schools.

Some schools opt to pay the fee, either directly or by including it in the school's tuition costs and that's okay, too. With FAST, payment options are completely your school's choice.

eLearning

eLearning images and copy go here.

Admissions Directors Listserv

The Admission Director's open listserv was created by ISM as a service to admission professionals in private-independent schools. The listserv is solely intended to provide a forum for you to discuss the functions of your office, such as campus visits, open houses, the application process, waiting pools, enrollment management, and other topics.

We encourage you to take part in free discussions on this listserv. ISM does not actively monitor the site for inappropriate postings, and we do not preview postings or edit any material. Subscribers should bring any postings that break the listserv's rules to ISM's attention. Then, at our sole discretion, we will take action, including posting deletion and subscription termination.

Business Manager's Listserv

The Business Manager's open listserv was created by ISM as a service to Business Office professionals in private-independent schools. The listserv is solely intended to provide a forum for you to discuss the functions of your office, such as financial management, facilities, human resources, legal issues, transportation, food service, risk management, maintenance, and other topics.

We encourage you to take part in free discussions on this listserv. ISM does not actively monitor the site for inappropriate postings, and we do not preview postings or edit any material. Subscribers should bring any postings that break the listserv's rules to ISM's attention. Then, at our sole discretion, we will take action, including posting deletion and subscription termination.

We are always looking for ways to improve our website to make the experience easier for you. If you are interested in providing feeback about our site based on your experience please post the feedback below and click send.

The only required field is the Feedback* field. Providing your Name, Title, or E-mail address is optional. You decide.

Privacy Statement

The idea of switching to a new financial aid assessment program is a scary one. Especially if you've been using the old standby. We understand and that's why we've made the "switch" easy for you. Find out how by requesting a free demonstration.

You'll learn:

• About the history of FAST
• How to setup and use the different modes included within FAST
• How FAST calculates awards
• How to make the switch
• Much more...

Requesting a free demonstration is easy. Simply fill out the small form below and one of our FAST Field Advisers will contact you to schedule a live demonstration. You can also call us at 302-384-9340 to schedule one. You decide.

Privacy Statement

Ooops!

If you are a parent trying to access the schools website for which you are applying for financial aid, you must contact your school for directions on how to access the FAST application from their website.