Financial Aid FAQs

Please click "read more" below should you need any further questions answered. If your question is not addressed in the FAQs, please email admission@athenian.org.
Q. How does the school determine the tuition amount for my family?
If a family wants to be considered for a tuition rate less than the maximum, they will need to complete and submit the Clarity Application for tuition assistance. You will authorize Clarity to access your tax returns through the IRS as well. Clarity will then provide Athenian with an estimated family tuition for review.

The Clarity methodology takes into account a family’s gross taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, unusual expenses, family size, and the number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges. After allowances for basic necessities and taxes, as well as a cost of living adjustment for the San Francisco Bay Area, a portion of the remaining funds are considered available for education.

Q. Who determines how much tuition we can pay?
Athenian partners with Mission Enrollment for the assessment of your financial aid application. This ensures an impartial review and provides additional confidentiality for families. During the review process you have receive communications from Mission Enrollment on Athenian's behalf to ask for application clarifications or required documentation. Correspondence will come through a FA PLATFORM messaging system.

Q. How many families pay less than the maximum tuition?
26% of our students and families pay less than the maximum tuition supported by a budget of $4.8M. Note: We do our best to meet the tuition needs of applicant families however requests historically exceed the budget that supports this program.

Q. Is there a fee waiver for families applying?
Fee waivers are automatically granted through Clarity if a family qualifies. Clarity uses the income and asset information in the application to determine eligibility for a fee waiver. Qualifying families will bypass all payment screens when their Clarity Application is complete.

Q. What assets will be considered in determining my family's tuition amount?
In addition to salary, the following assets are considered on the application: equity in your home and any other properties, checking and savings, stocks, and bonds. In most cases, retirement funds (401K, 503b, IRA, etc.) are not used in this equation. All financial information submitted by family’s is held in strict confidence.

Q. How are different family structures considered (i.e. single parents, guardianship, divorced families, never married, etc.)?
Each parent/guardian of the child must apply and provide required financial documentation. Please contact Yocelin González, Director of Enrollment Management if you have any questions or concerns about this process.

Q. What if our family chooses to not apply this year, but needs to in the future?
If affordability becomes a challenge due to a change in circumstances, we encourage families to apply for financial aid through Clarity.

Q. Do families currently paying the maximum tuition need to apply or submit financial documents? 
No. Only families who want to be considered for financial aid need to apply and submit financial documentation.

Q. Will applying affect my child's chances for admission?
Admission and tuition decisions are made separately. However, Athenian depends on tuition revenue for much of our program and thus cannot meet the tuition needs of all families. 

Q. Do we have to reapply each year?
Yes, each family's tuition amount is reviewed annually. Significant changes in a family's financial circumstances may increase or decrease the amount a family contributes.

Q. What if I have questions or concerns about the tuition the school expects me to pay?
Please contact Yocelin González, Director of Enrollment Management to address any concerns.

Q. How do I apply? 
To be considered for a tuition amount less than the maximum, you must complete the Clarity Application (see below) and submit tax returns. Both parents and stepparents must complete a financial aid application.

The Clarity Application is completed online at the Clarity website.
If you are applying to more than one school you will just complete this form once and select the schools to which you want to send the Clarity Application for tuition assistance. Contact the Admission Office if you have trouble filing online or if you have any questions.


Q. When must applications be completed to be considered for a tuition amount less than the maximum?
New and returning families must submit their applications by Tuesday, January 16, 2024. 

Q. What if I need help completing the application?
Contact Clarity for assistance with the application at support@claritytuition.com  For all other questions, contact the Admission Office here.


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