Financial Aid Policy

MSA is committed to serving an economically diverse community. We offer financial aid, when possible, to assist families who would otherwise be unable to afford a Montessori education.

Purpose

We aim to make Montessori education accessible while maintaining financial sustainability. Priority is given to:

• Families completing a full three-year Montessori cycle

• Families transitioning from Early Childhood into Elementary

Financial aid is limited and depends on enrollment and budgetary outlook. Not all qualifying families can be awarded aid.

Eligibility

Any applicant—new or returning—may be considered.
Aid is not awarded to families with substantial assets, regardless of liquidity. MSA does not subsidize discretionary spending.

Application Process

MSA uses FACTS Tuition Management to assess financial need. To apply:

• Submit a complete and accurate application via FACTS

• Include all required documentation

• Provide a letter to the Head of School explaining the specifics of your request 

Applications with inaccurate or incomplete information will be rejected.
Returning families must be in good standing with the Business Office before aid is considered.

Family Contribution

Families must pay at least 50% of tuition per child to be considered for aid.
Aid applies to tuition only. Families are responsible for:

• Remaining tuition balance

• Fees for before/after school care

• Field trips and other applicable costs

Education should be a financial priority for all families.

Timeline & Renewal

• Apply during enrollment period from January to March

• Requests will be considered on a first come basis 

• Deadline: March 31

• Aid will be renewed annually

If a family experiences a significant financial change outside this timeline, they are encouraged to contact the Head of School directly.

Community Commitment

Families receiving financial aid are expected to contribute no less than 20 hours of community service to the school each academic year.

 Service may include classroom prep or material making, volunteering at events, assisting with classroom projects, supporting fundraising efforts, or helping with grounds and maintenance.

Award Determination

• Aid decisions are made after a completed admission application, admission fee, and financial aid application are submitted.

• An offer of enrollment does not guarantee financial aid.

• The Head of School proposes aid recommendations to the Board of Directors, which makes the final decision.

• Families are notified of aid decisions by June 30, 2025.

• Families enrolling past the deadline will be considered on a funds available basis.

We proudly participate in the ChildCare Aware program!

Financial Aid Q&A

Who can apply for financial aid?
Any family—new or returning—may apply. Priority is given to current families completing a Montessori cycle or transitioning into Elementary.

What is the minimum tuition contribution required?
Families must be able to pay at least 50% of tuition per child to be considered for aid.

What does financial aid cover?
Aid applies to tuition only. Families are responsible for all other fees, including extended care and field trips.

How do I apply?
Submit a complete application through FACTS Tuition Management, including all required documents. Provide the Head of School a letter explaining any special circumstances and details of your request.

When is the deadline?
March 31. Applications are submitted during re-enrollment and must be renewed annually.

What if my financial situation changes mid-year?
We understand that life circumstances can shift unexpectedly, please contact the Head of School directly.

Does applying for aid affect my child’s admission?
No. Admission and financial aid are considered separately. However, an offer of enrollment does not guarantee financial aid.

When will I know if we’ve received aid?
Families are notified of aid decisions on or before June 30.

What is the community service requirement?
Families receiving aid must contribute no less than 20 hours of service to the school each year. Service hours will be tracked and may include (but not limited to): general maintenance/ “handy”support, event assistance, classroom help, or groundskeeping.