Financial Aid FAQs
| How do I know if I can afford an independent school for my child? |
| Each family’s circumstances are different and based on a combination of factors such as family size, income, assets, debt, cost of living, and individual lifestyle choices, to name a few. The National Association of Independent Schools offers great resources on this topic. Start here with Afford an Independent School Education. |
| How does Marvelwood determine the tuition amount for my family? |
To be considered for financial aid and reduced tuition, families must complete and submit the Clarity Application. As part of this process, you will need to authorize Clarity to access your tax returns through the IRS. Clarity will then provide Marvelwood with an estimated family tuition amount for review. The Clarity methodology takes into account a family’s gross taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, unusual expenses, family size, and the number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges. After allowances for basic necessities and taxes, a portion of the remaining funds is considered available for education. Marvelwood’s financial aid policies follow the National Association of Independent Schools’ Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid Administration. Recognizing that each family bears the primary responsibility for financing a student’s education costs, NAIS’s Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid Administration are designed to serve as guideposts in developing professional policies and orderly procedures among schools. Through these principles, NAIS affirms its belief that the purpose of a financial aid program is to provide monetary assistance to those students who cannot afford the cost of attending an independent school. Furthermore, these principles reflect the standards of equity and fairness NAIS embraces and reassert NAIS’s ongoing commitment to access and diversity.
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| Who determines how much tuition we can pay? |
| Marvelwood’s Financial Aid Committee reviews financial aid applications. The committee is comprised of non-teaching administrators to ensure fairness and confidentiality. |
| How many families receive financial aid to reduce their tuition? |
| Approximately 35% of our students receive financial aid. While we have a robust financial aid budget, we often have more requests for financial aid than our budget can support |
| Is there a fee waiver for families applying? |
Fee waivers are automatically granted through Clarity if a family qualifies. Clarity uses the income and asset information in the application to determine eligibility for a fee waiver. Qualifying families will bypass all payment screens when their Clarity application is complete. |
| What assets will be considered in determining my family's tuition amount? |
| In addition to salary, the following assets are considered in the application: equity in your home and any other properties, checking and savings, stocks, and bonds. Most retirement funds (401 (k), 503 (b), IRA, etc.) are not included in this equation. All financial information submitted by families is held in strict confidence. |
| How are different family structures considered (i.e. single parents, guardianship, divorced families, never married, etc.)? |
| Each parent/guardian of the child must apply and provide required financial documentation. Please contact the Admission Office if you have any questions or concerns about this process. |
| What if our family chooses not to apply this year, but needs to in the future? |
| If you are unsure that you can afford tuition for the duration of your child's enrollment, we encourage you to apply for financial aid during the admission process, not re-enrollment the following year. This is because we budget for new student financial aid for the remaining years when we admit a new student. After your initial enrollment, we are less likely to have financial aid available for returning students who have never received it. However, if your ability to afford tuition changes due to an unexpected change in circumstances, we encourage families to apply for financial aid through Clarity. |
| Do families currently paying the maximum tuition need to apply or submit financial documents? |
No. Only families who want to be considered for financial aid need to apply and submit financial documentation. |
| Will applying affect my child's chances for admission? |
| No. Admission and financial decisions are made separately. However, Marvelwood depends on tuition revenue for much of our program and thus cannot meet the financial aid needs of all families. |
| Do we have to reapply each year? |
| Yes, each family's tuition amount is reviewed annually. Significant changes in a family's financial circumstances may increase or decrease the amount a family contributes. |
| What if I have questions or concerns about the tuition the school expects me to pay? |
| Please contact the Admission Office to address any concerns. |
| How do I apply? |
| To be considered for need-based financial aid, you must complete the Clarity Application. Both parents and stepparents must complete a financial aid application. The Clarity Application is completed online at the Clarity website. |
| When must applications be completed to be considered for financial aid? |
New families have a deadline of January 15, 2027. Current families have a deadline of December 1, 2026. |
| What if I need help completing the application? |
Contact Clarity for assistance with the application at support@claritytuition.com. For all other questions, contact the Admission Office. |