Enrolling your child in an independent school is a family commitment—an academic commitment for the student and a financial commitment for the parents. An independent school education is a major investment, one that often stretches a family's resources. Careful financial planning becomes a necessity for most independent school families. To assist families in financing a York education, we have created a number of payment options, including monthly payment plans and loan programs, which are available to all families, and a strong need-based financial aid program.
York wishes to enroll the most qualified applicants regardless of their financial circumstances. The York Board of Trustees supports the goal of helping students who have the motivation and academic capability, but not the economic resources, to pay for an independent, college preparatory education.
Comprehensive Tuition
Tuition for 2009-10 is $23,675.Tuition covers all fees except for books. There is no laptop computer requirement. In 2009-10, York provided more than $1,180,000 in aid to 88 students, an average award of $13,435, or 57% of tuition. The median award was $14,763. We offered aid to 41% of our students, twice the national average among independent schools.
Need-based Financial Aid
We often say that the financial aid program is at the heart of York School. York's commitment to financial aid is not only a critical part of its mission but also a big part of what makes it an exceptional school, with a student body that is diverse in its ethnic, racial, religious, and socio-economic background. All families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply.
Affordability is an issue for all families, regardless of income. We encourage you to read the brochure Family Guide to Financial Aid, created by the National Association of Independent Schools, for information about the financial aid process. A copy is available from the Admission and Financial Aid Office.
Applying for Financial Aid
No student or family should hesitate to apply for admission because of inability to pay the entire cost. All financial aid grants and loans are awarded on the basis of need. To make the fairest and most equitable estimates of a family's ability to pay tuition, we utilize the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS by NAIS), which analyzes individual financial statements and recommends an amount that each family can afford to spend on a child's education.
When you return the Financial Aid Request Form (included in your application packet) to York, you will be sent a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) packet. Complete the form online at http://sss.nais.org. You may use estimated financial information to complete the PFS—you do not need to wait for your taxes to be done. York's school code number is 8386. Please provide plenty of detail about unusual circumstances and complete the form as soon as possible. Print a copy for your records. Deadline for submittal is January 31, 2010.
You also need to provide a copy of your 2009 federal tax return (Form 1040, W-2s, and all schedules or Form 1040A) directly to the York Admission and Financial Aid office. Deadline for tax returns is February 16, 2010. Promptness in meeting deadlines is essential. Requests received after these dates will be considered only if funds are still available.
After the SSS evaluation is sent to York, it is reviewed and adjusted using the family's current federal tax forms, taking into account the higher cost of living in California. The Financial Aid Committee reviews the materials and determines the level of financial aid to be offered. In the case of divorced or separated parents, the school asks each natural parent to complete a confidential financial statement.
New to Independent Schools? Check out these great resourceson the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) website:
Choosing the Right School
Financing a Private School Education
School and Student Service for Financial Aid
Any questions about financial aid, please contact Catha Smith, Director of Admission and Financial Aid, at 831-372-7338 ext. 115 or csmith@york.org.