Private School Financial Aid question

rubber_chicken

Hey ladies!

I'm not sure if this is even the right board for this question but figured I'd give it a shot.  My husband and I are really leaning towards private/independent pre-school and elementary school for our daughter.  The schools in our area are generally good, but we have a very different philosophy from them.  We believe in play-based learning, with plenty of independent activities, sprinkled with lots of fresh air and exercise.  I guess you could call us hippy/crunchy.

Anyway, we've been looking into Waldorf, Montessori, and some other Independent schools near us (Friends, etc.), but the problem is the tuition.  It's more expensive than college!  And that doesn't include extended day care or summer care.

Anyway, we make a good living, but not THAT good a living.  I'm wondering - is it even worthwhile to look into these schools and apply for financial aid? Or are we going to fall into that lovely bracket of makes-too-much-for-aid-but-not-enough-to-afford-the-tuition?  Can anyone offer any guidance of what "financial aid" looks like for private schools?

legalbeagle1

No clue but lots of hugs.  The amount we're going to pay next year could pay for several tuitions at state schools.  The private school thing is one of the many reasons we may be done with one.  So stressful/expensive.

Do the schools you are considering say if they are "need blind" for admission?  I don't know if private schools below college do that, but I know some colleges do.

2chatter

We were lucky to live in a really bad public school district for a while. Which meant private schools were plentiful and cheaper than in good districts. The top tier schools offered financial aid on a sliding scale plus sibling discounts (which would not help you). They also offered scholarships. It is worth inquiring.

I will say, however, that education is not what it was when I was in school. My children had a hard time transitioning from private to public because public is so rigidly based on testing metrics. That means, for example, there's a right way to write a plot summary: one sentence (not four).  It was a GIANT adjustment.  Still is and we moved before last school year.  So you might also consider, on top of finances, what schools "match up" to the middle/high school educational philosophies as well as yours for early education.  There should be some that straddle a middle ground.  We did not come from a middle ground school, so it was that much harder.

itsmevkb

No advice as we fall into that you make too much bracket even though you can't afford the tuition.

shannm

We go to a Friends school. Tuition is around 19k. The average financial aid package is 6k. It is worth applying, you don't have to commit until after you receive your aid details.
I will say that you may be surprised at how little families at these schools have and this will affect how much you are offered. This process was an eye opener for DH who thinks of himself as poor.

And if you are considering it for more than preK, really investigate the Waldorf school. I'm pretty hippy/crunchy but absolutely do not agree with their philosophies about reading and science.

MamaAllison

I work at a private school and every single applicant goes through a financial aid process where you send your credentials out to a third party who analyzes them and then tells my school a figure that would be reasonable for a family to pay for tuition. Factors include income, expenses, number of children (especially those in other institutions that are costly), and the like. Even with just one child people making up to about $150,000 usually receive some sort of aid at my school. I say at least apply and see where that gets you!

ss+el

My son goes to private school of the $3k/yr variety and even though we were off the charts when applications were due, literally everyone encouraged us to apply. They said almost everyone gets "something". We didn't bother, because it was too late when I was told this, but are going to go ahead and give it a shot for next year.

Maynard92014

As a private school teacher.... Apply! I know my principal is willing to work with any family to try to get them in the door or keep them if it is due to finances. Not that it will be free, but we want families that want their children at our school. Try looking for a non-profit.

rubber_chicken

Thanks so much ladies! This has really given us something to think about. I think we'll continue to look into it and start making visits!

Beevol

No advice, just commiserating - I went to a private top ten university and pay more per year for my daughter to go to daycare than I did for tuition + room and board (after scholarships, but still) and it's just daycare and it's not even the priciest in my area. 

umma4babes

The ones we were looking at were between $19k -25k per year, and it seemed to me the max would be 25% even for families earning a lot less than us. There are a few "sponsored" kids but they are based on need plus recommendation from the community. My impression was that it was generally not granted to preK/K. I would still try and see if you can get something, but not to put too much hope in it. We ultimately decided not to go for these private schools due to MANY fundraising/donation/hosting events that were required of the families. It really annoyed me but that seemed to be the norm. If I'm plunking down 25k plus activity fees per year, I should be somewhat free from fundraising harassment.