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Most private schools offer some form of financial aid to help offset tuition. Here is how these programs work in most schools. There are exceptions, of course, because we are talking about private, independent schools. Each school determines how it will handle its financial aid program. No local, regional or national association dictates how financial aid programs will work.

First of all, you have to ask for financial aid. If you don't ask, the school will not know that you need financial assistance. Secondly, you will have to prove that you really do need financial aid by documenting your income and assets. That is where the Parents' Financial Statement comes in. Then, the last thing to consider is that most schools have a limited pool of funds from which to award financial aid. That means that you must submit your application for financial aid as early as you can in order to be considered for a financial aid award.

Here is how The Hill School, Pottstown, Pennsylvania describes its :

"The Hill School Financial Aid Program offers assistance to families based upon their financial need and the availability of funds. There are no merit-based scholarships at The Hill School. All awards offered are based on the financial/demonstrated need of the family. Accordingly, no student should be deterred from applying to The Hill due to their family not being able to afford the full tuition. Approximately 40 percent of our current student population

How Much Do �������� Schools Cost?

The cost of a private school education ranges from virtually nothing at several free schools to well over $125,000 at a couple of exclusive European boarding schools.

• This doesn't include all the extras such as riding or music lessons, school trips, travel to and from the school, local transportation, health insurance, computers, and so on.
• These sundries add up quickly, so don't forget to take them into account.
• Also not included are acceptance deposits, application fees, and admissions testing.

Here are some examples of what the various types of private schools charge.

• Remember that this is merely a sampling.
• Explore every school that interests you thoroughly as part of your school search process.
• Set aside financial concerns for the moment.
• Focus on finding the school that is the best fit for both you and your child.
• Paying for private school tuition is obviously a major concern. Most schools will offer financial aid as well as other options.
• Visit school websites in order to determine the current costs. Find that information under the admissions links.

Day Schools

Day schools are non-residential schools.

• Most of them offer classroom instruction from Monday to Friday.
• Intramural sports and activities are fitted in during the week, with many schools devoting an afternoon to non-classroom activities. Occasionally, there will be events planned for Saturdays, particularly varsity sports.

Many day schools offer a full range of grades

Before You Spend $30k on �������� School...

As I have often said on these pages, finding the right private school for your child is a process and a daunting process at that. There are a great many factors to consider. So, before you spend $30,000 or more on a year at a private school for your child, you need to ask five questions and be guided by the answers you receive:

1. Does it get the results you want?
2. Does what the school teaches comply with your requirements?
3. Will your child be happy there?
4. Is the school financially stable?
5. How will you pay for it?

There is a bit more to the process, of course, but asking these five questions will get you started on the extensive due diligence that you must do before you spend approximately $150,000 for four years of private day school or roughly $200,000 for four years of boarding school. Tuition varies from school to school. Some are much less. Some a great deal more. Also, we are only discussing high school and middle school. The primary grades will run you $8,000 - $15,000, depending on the school.

Another point to consider is that private schools in the United States are not subsidized by government funding. So they will charge whatever the market forces and their budgets determine can be charged and needs to be charged. Be aware that most private schools offer generous financial aid programs. Some schools will even pay for

One of my young employees was horrified to discover that a certain Los Angeles day school charges $30,000 tuition. "How do they pay for that?" was his shocked cry. It's difficult for a 24-year-old who's only making $40,000 to understand how families can afford college much less private school. So, exactly how does a family afford a private school education? Here are some ways they can make that special educational opportunity possible.

Scholarships

There are not many scholarships for K-12 private school students. Still, it is worth doing your research in this area to uncover the scholarships which do exist. Several states have programs set up which allow citizens to contribute to funding for private schools. Arizona and Washington offer special tax credits for gifts to private schools for scholarships.

This video offers an overview of Church Farm School.

Financial Aid

This is the most exciting part of the 'paying for private school' picture. Understand that each private school is independent. Each school stands on its own two feet financially speaking. That's why financial aid will vary from school to school. Older, established schools such as Andover and Exeter have substantial endowment funds. That's why they and a few other schools can offer virtually free education to students who come from families which make below a certain amount. $75,000, for example. But you will have to visit the schools' web sites to

It's certainly fun to navigate different private school sites and see what's out there. And you must do that, not only on your own but with your child. For all sorts of good reasons. Remember: your child needs to buy into this important decision. It mustn't be a unilateral decision unless the circumstances are exceptional such as your requiring a school for special needs or a therapeutic school. In those situations, obviously, you know best and will make the appropriate decision for your child.

There's another consideration we parents need to review carefully as we decide which private school is the best one for our children. And that's the cost. But don't just look at the price! Why? Because there are several factors in play when it comes to paying for a private school education.

1. Financial Aid

Depending on your financial situation the school may offer you a financial aid package. This could well have the effect of making that school that charges $25,000 a year as affordable, for example, as the school which charges $18,000 but offers no financial aid. So, ask questions and get the answers you need about financial aid. Financial aid programs vary from school to school. Assume nothing. Ask.

This video from the Parents' League of New York discusses financial aid for private school tuition.

2. Tuition-Free Education

The other factor to consider is that you may be able