A commitment
to opportunity
Tuition & Financial Aid
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Please note that our funds run out well before the end of the year! To be eligible for consideration for financial aid at Watkinson School, returning students please submit financial aid applications by January 1st. New applicants must submit by February 1.
Tuition for the 2024-2025 School Year
We know independent school is a huge investment for any family — a worthy and important investment, but still a very serious commitment. That’s why we are equally serious about working as hard as we can to enroll and assist the most outstanding and qualified students each year. Our need-based financial aid hopes to provide the opportunity for those families who are unable to afford the full cost of tuition to attend. While we are not able to guarantee financial aid for all students, more than 60% of our students receive some level of financial aid each year.
Here are a few important specifics:
- Financial aid grants vary in size from $5,000 up to highly competitive grants which cover nearly the entire cost of tuition.
- Our average award is approximately $25,000. At Watkinson, students have a better chance of getting a small to medium award, making it possible for more middle and upper-middle income families to afford a Watkinson education.
- This year, 35% of students receiving need-based grants are from families with household incomes between $100,000 – $199,999 and 41% are from families with incomes over $200,000.
- When possible, we strive to match the difference between the cost of tuition and what a family can afford to pay based on the information provided to us.
Watkinson financial aid packages are direct grants, with no repayment required.
The Clarity application
Watkinson School’s financial aid program is designed to make a Watkinson education possible for all families who qualify based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. Parents may use the Clarity application to help determine financial need based on the information shared in the application, including assets, income, expenses, and debts.
Clarity offers a convenient, user-friendly interface, quick completion (under 30 minutes), mobile optimization, and automatic IRS data transfer. Save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $60 submission fee.
deadlines
If you need help completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.
For questions about financial aid at Watkinson, email FinancialAid@watkinson.
returning students
Financial aid awards for returning students are reviewed each February; the continuation of aid and an increase or decrease in amount are decided on the basis of financial need and the overall available financial aid budget.
Payment Options
A no-interest monthly payment plan is available through SMART Tuition.
This year, over 60% of Watkinson students received need-based financial aid.
how grants were distributed
A College Educators Grant
New for the 2024-25 School Year.
Watkinson is pleased to offer a tuition grant of up to 25% to full-time educators at colleges and universities. Should your student also qualify for another source of funding, such as financial or merit aid, the higher offer prevails. Get in touch for more information!
