Apply for Financial Assistance

catlin gabel drone photo schauff circle with fall foliage and students walking to school

Financial assistance applications are due with your earliest admission application.

Key Dates & Deadlines

September 15, 2023: New Provider: Clarity Financial Aid applications open for the 2024-25 school year
December 7, 2023: For all returning Catlin Gabel families
- Clarity Financial Aid application submitted including ‘Verification’ in Step 5 by e-signing IRS Form 4506c allowing Clarity to securely pull your 2022 tax transcripts from the IRS. Explain unique circumstances in ‘Other Considerations.’
January 16, 2024: Palma Scholars Program applicant families applying for need-based financial assistance in addition to the scholarship
- Clarity Financial Aid application submitted including ‘Verification’ in Step 5 by e-signing IRS Form 4506c allowing Clarity to securely pull your 2022 tax transcripts from the IRS. Explain unique circumstances in ‘Other Considerations.’
- Upload 2021 tax documents and 2021 W2s (if applicable)
January 18, 2024: Beginning & Lower School applicant families
- Clarity Financial Aid application submitted including ‘Verification’ in Step 5 by e-signing IRS Form 4506c allowing Clarity to securely pull your 2022 tax transcripts from the IRS. Explain unique circumstances in ‘Other Considerations.’
- Upload 2021 tax documents and 2021 W2s (if applicable)
February 6, 2024: Middle & Upper School applicant families
- Clarity Financial Aid application submitted including ‘Verification’ in Step 5 by e-signing IRS Form 4506c allowing Clarity to securely pull your 2022 tax transcripts from the IRS. Explain unique circumstances in ‘Other Considerations.’
- Upload 2021 tax documents and 2021 W2s(if applicable)
February 23, 2024:
- Palma Scholars Program decisions delivered
- Palma Scholars Program need-based financial assistance decisions delivered
March 8, 2024:
- Admission decisions delivered
- Financial assistance decisions delivered (for admitted students only)
March 20, 2024: Enrollment agreement deadline with 10% net tuition deposit

Financial Assistance Application Steps

The following process ensures Catlin Gabel's financial assistance committee is able to track, review, and allocate our limited need-based financial assistance equitably and efficiently. The committee will consider only those applications that are completed by the stated deadlines. We urge you to fully disclose your financial situation and upload all required tax documents to avoid delay in reviewing and processing your application. Families with complicated or unusual financial circumstances may be asked to provide supplemental information or to meet with the financial assistance office by phone or Zoom.

Virtual, small group financial assistance Q&A sessions will be offered weekly. Please sign up in your Admission Portal.

Step 1: Complete the Clarity Financial Aid online application

Clarity Financial Aid application which typically takes less than 30 minutes and is mobile friendly
Search for and select Catlin Gabel School
As part of the application, submit the ‘Verification’ step allowing access to your 2022 taxes directly from the IRS
The fee for submitting your application is $60
Fee is automatically waived for households that qualify under the National School Lunch Program (NSLP)
Return to the Dashboard to upload additional required tax or other documentation.
Please note: For two-household families, both parents are required to complete a confidential the Clarity Financial Aid application even if only one parent contributes to tuition. No information will be shared between households.

Step 2: Submit a personal statement and/or explain changes

As part of the online application under Catlin Gabel School questions, describe briefly why your family is applying for financial assistance and any other special circumstances that were not covered in other sections of the form. Please be specific about the issues and/or circumstances which will affect your ability to pay tuition. Use this area to also explain any changes from the prior year or expected upcoming changes regarding employment, income, extraordinary medical expenses, or other life/family changes. Please list estimated dollar amounts.

Step 3: On your Clarity Dashboard, upload 2021 tax and other required documents

Include the 1040 form with all applicable schedules showing income or losses
Include all W2 statements as applicable for all parents
Include Schedule A if applicable
We accept electronic signatures via Turbo Tax or other tax prep software
Upload directly to Clarity Financial Aid, which enables you to track the status of your application in your Clarity portal. Instructions to upload documents can be found in the Clarity Family Application Guide under Step 6.

Additional Resources

Clarity Financial Aid Family Support

Clarity Family Application Guide
Clarity Family Application Guide - SPANISH
Clarity Application Quick Reference Guide
Clarity Application Quick Reference Guide - SPANISH
In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
Email support at support@clarityapp.com
Phone support at 206-210-3752

Clarity Financial Aid Family Information Night Webinars

All parents are invited to attend any of the following family information sessions to learn more about the Clarity application. Webinar recordings will be available.