Affording Parish

Evaluation of admission applications is not affected by whether families apply for tuition assistance. We encourage families who think they might need tuition assistance to apply by the deadline, as funds are often not available at a later date. With a finite tuition assistance budget, Parish cannot guarantee that we can meet 100% of every family’s need.

While household income is the most significant factor in determining whether a student will qualify for tuition assistance, tuition grants are also significantly influenced by the amount of family assets and debts, unusual expenses, family size, the number of children in tuition-charging schools and the tuition at each grade level. Given the number of factors that affect the grant calculation, as well as the unique circumstances of each family, it is difficult to predict how much tuition assistance a student will qualify for. However, the following table offers examples of students who received tuition assistance for the current school year. These examples are for illustrative purposes only and should not be used to assume or estimate a specific grant for your student.

Using the first line as an example, 10 families with incomes ranging from $50,000 to $75,000 applied for tuition assistance, and all 10 families received grants. Those grants ranged from $8,975 to $37,350. The amount of tuition the families in that income range paid was between $500 and $28,000 per child. Please note that Parish does not offer full-tuition grants. The minimum tuition contribution is $500.

* To qualify for a larger award in this range, families typically had more than one child in a tuition-charging school or large family size.

** To qualify for any award in this range, families typically had multiple children in tuition-charging schools, large family size or two households.

Returning students:
Applications are due November 22, 2024
Decisions will be sent week of February 1, 2025

New applicants:
Applications are due February 7, 2025
Decisions will be sent March 14, 2025

New sibling applicants:
Applications are due November 22, 2024
Decisions will be sent March 14, 2025

Parish does not offer merit-based academic, athletic or arts scholarships. We do offer a few named scholarships for students with significant need (applicants will be notified if they meet the criteria to apply for a scholarship).

Parish does not offer full-tuition grants. When asked on the application how much you will contribute toward your child’s educational expenses, please do not answer $0. Carefully consider what you are able to pay toward tuition, rather than what you would like to pay.

Tuition assistance is determined by a family’s ability to pay (rather than willingness to pay) and the availability of funds each year. In requesting tuition assistance, families should carefully plan, budget and adjust spending to demonstrate that an independent school education is a family priority.

Parish works with Clarity, a third-party organization, to collect and analyze families’ financial information. Families applying for assistance should disclose all resources, including 529 plans, income from cash-based businesses, gifts from family members, etc.

The School uses the amount calculated by Clarity that a family can afford to pay toward tuition as a starting point. When determining the final grant, the School takes many factors into account, including the number of children in tuition-charging schools, unusual expenses and extenuating circumstances, as well as discretionary spending such as vacations, club memberships, club sports, financial support to other family members, charitable contributions and vehicle expenses.

In keeping with the principle that each family bears the primary responsibility for financing a student’s education, for families requesting tuition assistance, both parents should be fully employed to the best of their abilities. With a few exceptions, an imputed income will be added for any able parent who is not providing income when calculating a family’s ability to pay.

Yes, families must reapply for tuition assistance each year. The amount of assistance will vary from year to year based on available funds and the family’s changing financial situation. As a family’s income grows, tuition assistance will decrease accordingly. Should a family’s financial situation weaken, the School will endeavor to increase the level of assistance if funds are available.

Yes. In order to treat all applications for tuition assistance equitably and to gain a holistic picture of a family’s ability to contribute toward tuition, any parent with any custodial rights must file an application and provide the required documents for a child’s application to be considered. If a parent has sole custody, the School may request a copy of the custody agreement. All information is strictly confidential, and no parent will have access to another parent’s financial information.

Tuition assistance grants are awarded to the student. The family then determines how the tuition balance will be paid. Although the school is not bound by divorce agreements or court orders, they are taken into consideration in determining grants.

Remarriage of either parent creates a new family unit with new relationships. Financial information and required documents from step-parents must also be included in the tuition assistance application.