Affording an ESD Education
Affording an independent school education is possible for families of all income levels. Unfortunately, many families do not consider independent schools due to the high cost of tuition. ESD believes that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to prospective families.
An integral part of ESD’s mission is to promote socioeconomic diversity among our student body. To achieve this goal, the school allocates more than $2.5 million dollars of the annual operating budget to tuition assistance – helping many of our families bridge the gap between what they can contribute financially and the actual cost of attending.
It is difficult to predict whether a family will qualify for tuition assistance, as circumstances vary so widely and the overall demand for tuition assistance may vary year to year. However, the following information may help you decide whether or not to apply for tuition assistance. The Director of Admission and Financial Aid is available for a private consultation if you have additional questions.
Need-based Tuition Assistance
ESD seeks to attract a diverse and talented student body and is committed to providing tuition assistance to students who qualify. Need-based assistance is granted on the basis of demonstrated need and the availability of funds each year. ESD follows the guidelines of the School and Student Service for Financial Aid , a third party organization which analyzes the financial situation of applicants based on a number of factors.
Tuition Assistance Application Time Line
September – February Parents of ESD applicants indicate their interest in tuition assistance on the initial application materials or by calling the Office of Admission.
March 11 Tuition assistance application materials are mailed, with acceptance letters and contracts, to applicants who are offered a space and indicated their interest in applying for tuition assistance.
April 1 Initial tuition assistance forms are due: the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), the Self-Report of Monthly Income, a signed copy of 2010 IRS Form 1040, and a Request of Copy of Tax Form.
May 6 Tuition assistance notifications are mailed.
May 13 Deadline for recipients to accept award for the 2011-12 school year.
Merit Scholarships
The majority of ESD’s tuition assistance budget is dedicated to need-based awards. However, we
do offer several merit-based awards. Each award has specific requirements, dollar amounts, and
award dates. For detailed information, please see the full “Financing an ESD Education”
brochure found under the Resource Materials section of the admission webpage.
Tuition 2010-2011
| Grade | Tuition | Travel Program
| Text Books
| Parent Activity Fee
| Student Activity Fee
| Lunch | Total Required
|
Beg. 3-Day | 9,850 | | 50 | 45 | 15 | NA | 9,960 |
Beg. 5-Day
| 13,500 | | 50 | 45 | 15 | NA | 13,610 |
| Pre-K | 13,500 | | 50 | 45 | 15 | NA | 13,610 |
K
| 13,500 | | 50 | 45 | 15 | NA | 13,610 |
| Primer-4 | 18,600 | | 85 | 45 | 15* | 850 | 19,595* |
| 5 | 22,800 | | 875 | 45 | 55 | 900 | 24,675 |
| 6 | 22,800 | 1,300 | 875 | 45 | 55 | 900 | 25,975 |
| 7 | 22,800 | | 830 | 45 | 55 | 900 | 24,630 |
| 8 | 22,800 | 725 | 735 | 45 | 55 | 900 | 25,260 |
| 9 | 23,500 | | varies | 45 | 65 | 950 | 24,560+ |
| 10 | 23,500 | | varies | 45 | 65 | 950 | 24,560+ |
| 11 | 23,500 | | varies | 45 | 300 | 950 | 24,795+ |
| 12 | 23,500 | | varies | 45 | 425 | 950 | 24,920+ |
For more information, including tuition, please download the full "Financing an ESD Education" pdf file.
Payment Plans:
ESD offers three options for families to pay tuition.
Plan A: Full one-time payment.
Plan B: Families receiving tuition assistance may elect to pay their portion of tuition in ten (10) equal monthly installments at no interest.
Plan C: FACTS tuition plan. A loan with a bank that allows for tuition to be paid over a 8-month period, a slight interest charge is accessed.
Note: A tuition deposit and new student fee are due at the time of enrollment. The tuition deposit is $100 for families applying for tuition assistance and the new student fee is waived. The deposit for families not applying for tuition assistance is $500 (Beginner –Kindergarten) and $1,000 (Grades 1 – 12). The new student fee is $1,000 for all grade levels and is a one-time per child fee.
* = 4th Grade Student Activity Fee is $40 so Total Required is $19,620
+ = Text Book Costs will vary by course selection and grade level and will be added to overall tuition expenses
Non-Tuition Assistance:
ESD has become increasingly aware of the financial resources necessary to attend our School, beyond the cost of tuition.As a result, we have worked hard to create unique ways of assisting deserving families beyond traditional tuition assistance. Families receiving tuition assistance are eligible to apply for assistance in covering the costs of required school related expenses. These expenses include, but are not limited to: school supplies, field trips, tutoring, SAT prep courses, college application forms, art supplies, uniforms, and senior year expenses.
Frequently Asked Questions:
What is tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance is a grant given to qualifying families to offset the costs of an ESD education. The grant does not have to be repaid.
Who can apply?
Families who have students entering beginner through twelfth grade are eligible to apply.
How is financial need determined?
Financial need is determined by the difference between the tuition charged and the family’s ability to pay. The School and Student Service (SSS) for Financial Aid sends ESD a Report of Parental Contribution (RFC) which makes a general recommendation about a family’s ability to pay. The RFC report does not bind ESD to any specific award. The Financial Aid Committee reviews the SSS information, applicable tax forms, and the Self-Report of Monthly Income, taking into consideration any unusual debts or extenuating circumstances. All information is treated as highly confidential.
My spouse does not work. How will this affect the amount of tuition assistance awarded?
Since it is our belief that families bear the primary responsibility for financing the education of their children, it is our policy to expect both parents to contribute financially. If your spouse chooses not to work, the School will calculate a full-time annual salary at the minimum wage level and add it to the income calculations. There are circumstances where a family might be exempt from this policy such as, caring for a disabled or elderly parent, or staying home with an infant or toddler.
If we are divorced or separated, do both parents need to apply for tuition assistance?
Yes. Both parents must submit financial aid forms and tax information.
I never do my taxes until close to the April 15 deadline. How will this affect my tuition assistance award?
You will need to complete your taxes early enough to meet the April 1, 2011 deadline in order to be considered for tuition assistance.
Is tuition assistance automatically renewed?
No. It is necessary to re-apply every year, and awards may be adjusted if family financial circumstances change significantly.
Will applying for tuition assistance influence the admission decision?
No. Decisions regarding admission and tuition assistance are arrived at different times, by different committees.
How do you receive financial aid application forms?
Simply indicate your interest in applying for tuition assistance on the Application Information Form, or call the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.
Does ESD offer any merit scholarships?
Yes, ESD does offer a few endowed merit scholarships. The criteria for these scholarships are very specific. Please see the Merit Award section on this webpage for more information.
