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The challenges of an independent education

Affording Pennfield

The Pennfield School is committed to creating a school community that is inclusive and diverse. We welcome families from all backgrounds and cultures and strive to help make Pennfield accessible for those with various socio-economic backgrounds. At Pennfield, we are deeply invested in your child.

We encourage families to reach out and talk to us about financial options. We offer a 10-month payment plan, need-based financial aid for families applying to kindergarten – grade 8, and U.S. Active Duty military rates. Pennfield recognizes the economic challenges of independent education, and we will work with you to help make our school an affordable option for your family. Financial aid is granted based on a family’s contributing ability, the grade level, and the available funds.

  • $5,683 is the average grant.
  • Approximately 47%  of families receive a financial aid grant, military discount, or faculty tuition remission.

The following  financial options are available, in the hopes of making a Pennfield education attainable for many families who might otherwise think it is out of their financial reach:

Financial Aid Policy (pdf)

1. DIFFERENT PAYMENT PLANS

  • Plan A: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot. The first payment of 50% tuition is due in July, and the remaining 50% of tuition obligation is reflected on bills due in November (25%) and March (25%).
  • Plan B: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot. Participation in BLACKBAUD can place tuition payment on a ten-month basis, July-April.
  • Plan C: The Enrollment Contract returned with a $500.00 non-refundable deposit per child to hold a spot.  Payment can be paid in full due in July.
All plans ask families to sign up with BLACKBAUD. BLACKBAUD processes and collects tuition fees for The Pennfield School.

2. NEED-BASED FINANCIAL AID FOR STUDENTS IN KINDERGARTEN- GRADE 8

The Pennfield School offers financial assistance to families who qualify for support. We require new applicants to complete the following steps:

  • Complete the Clarity Application. (https://auth.clarityapp.com/en/signup/)
  • In cases of divorce, unmarried, or separated parents, both parents need to submit a Clarity Application. Children living with grandparents or guardians will be reviewed case by case.

For questions concerning Clarity, please contact Clarity at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752.

Clarity reviews each application and forwards a report about each family’s economic profile. The report includes a recommendation as to what the family can afford to pay towards tuition. The Pennfield School makes its determination regarding financial aid after taking into consideration Clarity’s recommendation, the individual circumstances of each particular family, and the amount of financial aid at Pennfield available in a given year. If a parent chooses to leave their job or change jobs for a decreased salary, Pennfield is not able to underwrite this difference with a larger financial aid grant the following year. If one parent chooses not to work and all children are of age to attend school, $20,000 will be added to the family’s income, the average cost of a Pennfield tuition. Exceptions will be made for the care of a critically ill or disabled child, parent, or grandparent.

Families reapply for aid each year if they want to continue to receive a yearly grant.  Families will typically receive a grant that is about the same percentage as the prior year unless there is a significant income change.

To be considered in the first round of financial aid grants for the 2025-2026 school year, financial aid paperwork for new families needs to be submitted to The Pennfield School’s Admission Office by Wednesday, February 5, 2025.  After February 5, financial aid will still be available and awarded on a rolling basis. For returning families, the deadline to submit is December 20, 2024.

BILLING AND PAYMENT

A non-refundable enrollment fee of $500.00 per child is due with an enrollment contract.  Tuition is either billed in three installments of 50%, 25%, and 25% respectively, or tuition can be put on a 10 month payment plan. The due dates for the three installment plan for 2025-2026 are July, November, and March.  The Pennfield School expects the prompt payment of bills.

For questions, contact Kristin Emory in the Admission Office at (401) 849-4646 ext 147 or by email at kemory@pennfield.org.