Financial Assistance

The Financial Assistance Committee determines all need-based awards. Priority goes first to returning students already in the need-based financial assistance program, ensuring continued support as long as eligibility remains. Next, the committee considers returning families newly applying due to financial changes, followed by newly admitted students.

• Families must provide complete, updated financial information each year.
• The committee strives for consistency in assistance from year to year, and will communicate changes.
• Families may apply for or request increased assistance if they have a qualifying change of circumstances. Limited short-term hardship assistance may also be available (see Special Considerations).
• Tuition is a long-term commitment. Families should plan to continue contributing a similar level of tuition payment for the duration of enrollment.
• Financial assistance is renewed annually provided students successfully complete the school year and all financial obligations are met.
• Employment: Both parents are expected to earn income once all children reach first grade. Exceptions may be granted for disability (with documentation), active job search, or other unique circumstances.
• Divorced or separated parents: Both custodial and non-custodial parents (and their partners, if applicable) must apply separately through Clarity Financial Aid and submit required tax documents. Financial details are kept confidential between households.

• Enrolling additional children at Catlin Gabel or another tuition-charging school.
  • Daycare/school programs for a sibling before first grade are considered only if both parents work.
  • Up to four years of undergraduate college for an older sibling may be considered.
• Change in family size.
• Permanent decrease in household income.
• Parent/guardian disability.
• Other circumstances considered on a case-by-base basis.

• Temporary job loss or reduced employment.
• Extraordinary medical expenses due to injury or illness.
• Financial or caregiving support for sick/aging grandparents (must show related payments or reduced work capacity).

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.

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 Application Guide in English (en Espanol)

Catlin Gabel Financial Assistance Office

Contact Director of Financial Assistance, Mary Yacob at yacobm@catlin.edu