Affordability

Good Shepherd Episcopal School offers need-based financial aid to help make a GSES education accessible to families.
Financial need is determined by the difference between the cost of tuition and what a family can contribute. We encourage families to apply for financial aid if they have any concerns about affordability. To be considered for a financial aid award at the time of admission, families must complete both the admission and financial aid applications concurrently. The deadline for new families to apply for financial aid is the beginning of February.

Good Shepherd subscribes to the guiding principles that the primary responsibility for the cost of a child’s education resides with the family and that financial aid must be based on demonstrated need, not on willingness or unwillingness to pay. The Financial Aid Committee utilizes all data provided through Clarity and tax documents submitted and verified by SSS to determine a family’s “demonstrated need” – demonstrated need is the difference between the cost of education at GSES and a family’s expected contribution to that education.

GSES uses the calculations provided by Clarity, a third-party platform, as a starting point in determining the demonstrated need of a family. Clarity takes into account factors such as household income, assets, liabilities, family size, and the number of children at tuition-charging schools. 

Admissions decisions at Good Shepherd Episcopal School are made independently of financial aid considerations. A dedicated committee of educators and administrators reviews applications without access to a family’s financial information. Each year, the number of applicants seeking financial assistance exceeds the school’s available resources. In such cases, GSES maintains a waitlist of qualified applicants who would receive aid if additional funding becomes available. 

Current families who are receiving financial aid can expect to receive a similar amount each year, provided their financial situation remains unchanged. However, every family must reapply for financial aid each year. If the current financial picture for the family changes, the award may be adjusted based on the updated information.

Yes, both parents will need to submit completed forms and tax information. If a parent is no longer involved in the life of a child in any way, please speak directly with the Director of Admissions. GSES awards a single amount to the student; it is the responsibility of the parents to determine a payment schedule.

Further, non-custodial parents, guardians, and other adults residing with the applicant must provide financial documentation through Clarity. Required documents include signed copies of the previous year’s tax returns, all 1099 forms, and W-2 earnings statements. 

Financial details, including tuition assistance awards, are kept strictly confidential and will not be disclosed to parents living separately unless explicit written consent is provided by the parent(s) involved.

You may appeal the tuition assistance award by submitting, in writing to the Head of School, a letter detailing any new or recurrent information (regarding employment status, income, expenses, etc.) that will be important for the committee to consider, including the amount of additional funding that is being requested.

All financial aid information will be treated as highly confidential. Only the Financial Aid Committee will see this information, and only the committee and the Business Office staff will see the award. Faculty members are not privy to any financial materials, nor are they aware of which families apply for financial assistance.

Absolutely! We recognize that every family situation is different and that even a small amount of assistance can make a critical difference for many families.