Tuition Assistance FAQs

St. Francis Episcopal School families, who have students entering Kindergarten through Upper School, may apply.

St. Francis Episcopal School offers tuition assistance in the form of tuition grants based solely on a family’s demonstrated need. A tuition grant is money applied toward the tuition for the upcoming school year and does not need to be repaid.

Financial need is defined as the difference between the cost to attend St. Francis Episcopal School and a family’s ability to pay. The ISM’s FAST program provides the school with a general assessment of a family’s ability to pay for education and a recommended award based on that assessment. In order for us to allocate our resources wisely and fairly, we have enlisted the help of FAST. It does not decide whether or how much tuition assistance will be awarded; rather, it provides a need-based tuition assistance analysis service. FAST gives St. Francis a confidential report that includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. Applications are reviewed by the Tuition Assistance Committee, and the committee recommends allocation of tuition assistance resources for the next school year to the Head of School. Upon approval by the Head of School, tuition assistance offers are sent to families.

Though it is not guaranteed, any family may apply for assistance. Major factors in determining financial need include, but are not limited to: income; assets (including home equity, college funds, investment accounts, and trust funds); family size; and the number of children attending tuition-charging institutions—excluding daycare, preschool, and graduate school. Ability to pay is based on combined salaries, business cash flow, and assets. There is no preset income figure that qualifies a family for assistance. As the school reviews applications, it differentiates between necessary expenses and lifestyle choices.

Yes, the tuition assistance application deadline in February falls before applicants are notified in March regarding admission decisions.

No, tuition assistance files are reviewed and awards are made only after a student is admitted. However, tuition assistance applications must be completed by a February deadline in order for an award to be considered. Applications for tuition assistance completed after the deadline will be considered only if funds remain.

Yes, all submitted tuition assistance information is confidential. Only members of the Tuition Assistance Committee have access.

Because a family’s financial situation may change from year to year, all current tuition assistance recipients are required to re-apply each year. Awards may be adjusted if a family’s financial circumstances change significantly.

Each tuition assistance recipient is expected to maintain the highest academic standards for himself or herself in a responsible and honorable manner and play an active role in the daily life of the school community. Students must abide by the rules, regulations, policies, and procedures as outlined in the School Handbook.

St. Francis expects both the custodial and non-custodial parents to participate in the support of their child at St. Francis. Both custodial and non-custodial parents will be expected to provide their information on the tuition assistance application.

The application will be considered only after all the required documentation is submitted—assuming funds are still available to award.