Financing Overview

Don’t let the cost of boarding school deter you. From private loans, to scholarships, there is help available. When is payment due? Does your boarding school offer a tuition payment plan? How much financial aid is available? In this section you’ll find the answers to these questions and more.

View the most popular articles in Financing Overview:

How To Pay For Boarding School

Updated
|
How To Pay For Boarding School
Paying for boarding school is a significant financial commitment, but families have more options than ever before. This article offers a comprehensive overview of the many ways to finance a boarding school education, including direct payments, tuition payment plans, financial aid, scholarships, loans, vouchers, and tax credit programs. With practical advice and real-world insights, it’s an essential guide for parents navigating the costs and opportunities of independent school life.

How To Pay For Boarding School

I remember wondering years ago how we were going to pay for our daughters' private school educations.

  • It was a major expense then. Back then, in the 90s, boarding school cost $11,000 a year.
  • It is still a major expense today.

Because paying for boarding school involves a major part of our income, let's look at the available options. You can pay for boarding school in several ways.

1. By check

Fees at most schools are payable in advance.

  • You will receive an invoice with your acceptance letter.
  • Half a year's tuition and other fees are due in the summer, usually in July or early August. The second half of the year's tuition, together with other fees, is due in December.
  • Payment dates vary from school to school, but most expect payment around these times of the year.

If you have your child's boarding school expenses allocated already or have sufficient income to cover two substantial payments a year, then paying by check might make sense for you.

  1. Effectively, you are paying cash for your child's education.
  2. Should you expect a cash discount? It never hurts to ask.

Don't forget to budget for the other fees besides tuition.

  • Your tuition invoices will not include items such as tuition insurance, fees for supplies used in special courses, textbooks, and supplies as well as your child's athletic equipment.
  • Boarding your daughter's horse
. . .read more

Understanding Financial Aid

Updated
|
Understanding Financial Aid
We explore the intricacies of financial aid within boarding schools, exploring how institutions are working to make quality education accessible to students from diverse economic backgrounds.

Understanding Financial Aid

One of the major issues most families consider when thinking of sending their child to boarding school is the cost.

  • Though it may seem daunting, the boarding school financial aid process isn’t as complex as you might think.
  • Understanding the system will pay off in the long term.

Recently, boarding schools began reshaping their financial aid policies to allow more talented, middle-class students to attend their schools.

  • Today, a large percentage of students at boarding schools receive some form of financial aid from grants; in some cases, that number is as high as 40%.
  • Each school’s aid policy is different, and officers are your best bet for accurate information.
  • Contacting them will give you a better understanding of the steps you will need to take, but below are some basic tips that will apply to all schools.

What is financial aid?

Financial aid is funding intended to help students cover the cost of attending private schools (tuition, board, fees, etc.).

  • Aid does not have to be repaid, unlike loans.
  • Generally, a school's endowment correlates directly with the amount of financial aid that can be offered.
  • Each year, a percentage of the budget is set aside for financial aid.
  • Thus, it’s very easy for a boarding school to run out of financial aid.

Tip: sending in all the required documents as soon as possible increases your student's chances

. . .read more

Recent Articles

Choosing the Best Boarding School: 10 Key Factors (2025)
Choosing the Best Boarding School: 10 Key Factors (2025)
Discover the 10 essential factors for choosing the best boarding school in 2025. Expert tips on academics, costs, fit, and future success.
Is a Therapeutic School What You Need? | 2025 Update
Is a Therapeutic School What You Need? | 2025 Update
Explore 2025 insights on therapeutic schools: benefits, costs, outcomes, and expert guidance to help families determine if this option is the right fit.
Boarding vs Private Day School: 2025 Guide for Families
Boarding vs Private Day School: 2025 Guide for Families
Compare boarding and private day schools in 2025—discover key differences, costs, academics, social life, and expert tips to find the right fit for your child.

Financing