Financial Assistance FAQs

We recommend reviewing your family’s assets and spending habits to see if private school tuition is within your means. If you feel that the cost of tuition is out of reach, consider applying for assistance. Please also review the available payment plans.

Contact Mary Yacob, Director of Financial Assistance, if you would like to provide a broad overview of your income and assets for an estimated eligibility status.

Yes, in the event of a qualifying change or unexpected financial hardship.

Generally, families are expected to continue paying the same level of tuition for the duration of enrollment. Qualifying changes in circumstance may include enrolling additional children at Catlin Gabel or another tuition-based school. Limited assistance may be available for families facing a temporary financial hardship.

Read more on our Financial Assistance Eligibility and Policies page.

The deadline for financial assistance applications is listed in the Admission Portal and on the Apply for Financial Assistance page. The admission process and the financial assistance process happen simultaneously. 'Key Dates & Deadlines' are also listed on our Apply for Financial Assistance page.

We will share admission and financial assistance decisions to admitted families on the same day.

Catlin Gabel admission committees and financial assistance committees are separate. Initially, the admission committees determine whether an applicant meets the standards for admission without regard to the family’s need for financial assistance. After this initial review for admissions criteria, financial need becomes a consideration in the admissions decision.

Financial need is one of many considerations taken into account when selecting students for admission. As an independent school, full-paying families play a critical role in funding school operations, while also allowing us to offer need-based financial assistance to a portion of qualifying applicants.

While we would love to admit every applicant who sees themself at Catlin Gabel, spaces are limited. In order to create balanced, diverse cohorts, we must consider the available spots in each grade, gender ratio, and financial need, among other factors.

No. Families must apply annually for need-based financial assistance. As long as a family’s financial profile remains similar from year-to-year, financial assistance will be renewed.

In order to serve the most families, the school endeavors to meet an average of 95% of a family's demonstrated need for tuition assistance. Every family is expected to contribute to the cost of their child(ren)’s education to the extent they are able.

Additional financial assistance may be available for laptops (Upper School only), textbooks, learning center services, Middle and Upper School robotics, bus service, clubs and enrichment programs, outdoor education, and global education. Assistance is available for many of these programs whether or not a student is receiving tuition assistance.

Food service assistance may also be available for those who qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch program.

Financial need is determined based on the ability of a student's entire family to pay tuition. Catlin Gabel requires both parents and their spouses or domestic partners to participate in the financial assistance application process. Each household must complete a separate, confidential Clarity Financial Aid application and provide required tax and other documentation. Exceptions to this policy will be considered only for extraordinary circumstances and on a case-by-case basis. Neither the school nor Clarity will share confidential information between households.

You may appeal your financial assistance offer by sending your request in writing to Mary Yacob, Director of Financial Assistance, within three business days of receiving your financial assistance decision. Appeals must include new information that was not available to the committee during the initial review of your application, as well as estimated dollar amounts/p>

The committee safeguards the confidentiality of all financial information supplied by families.

For help with your application, please contact Clarity directly at 206-210-3752 or email support@claritytuition.com. Representatives are available in English and Spanish.

Clarity Financial Aid Family Support 

• Clarity Financial Aid Resources
• Clarity Family Aid Guide
• Clarity Family Aid Guide - SPANISH

Financial Assistance Eligibility & Policies

Please visit the Financial Assistance Eligibility & Policies page.

Catlin Gabel Financial Assistance Office

Contact Mary Yacob at yacobm@catlin.edu