Tuition & Financial Aid FAQ

First, in your application check the box that asks if you intend to apply for financial aid. Second, complete the Clarity Application after September 1.

A family's eligibility for financial assistance is determined through careful and thorough analysis of the information provided on the Clarity Application coupled with information provided from a copy of a family's federal tax returns. Clarity and Choate's financial aid methodology will provide Choate with a dollar figure of a family's discretionary income derived from our review. Choate will then consider a portion of a family's discretionary income to be available for private education tuition and related fees.

All applications are initially reviewed without regard to their financial aid status, but there are instances when the overall financial need of the applicant pool exceeds our financial aid budget. Accordingly, financial need, in addition to a range of other factors, may influence our admission decisions.

Financial aid applications are due on January 15. 

Financial aid decisions are available online beginning March 10 at the same time as admission decisions.

Families of currently-enrolled Choate students must go through the financial aid application process each year and submit paperwork just as they do during the initial process. Given that a family's financial picture remains relatively the same from year to year, a family can expect to have a similar financial outlay tuition and related fees each year. The Financial Aid Office will perform a full analysis each year to determine eligibility for continued assistance.

If you are currently not in need of financial aid and you do not foresee this need, you should not apply for it, but you will not be eligible for any future grants unless there is a materially adverse change to your circumstances, such as a job loss or an additional child entering a tuition charging school. If a change in your family’s financial circumstances occurs at any time within the admission process or financial aid cycle resulting in a need to apply for financial assistance, please contact the Financial Aid Office immediately.

Yes. We will take into account the total cost of attending Choate when determining a financial aid grant. This total cost typically includes books and academic supplies, travel to and from campus, laundry (for boarding students) and other costs related to a student's Choate experience.

All students, regardless of whether they receive financial aid, are eligible to apply for support from The Beyond the Classroom Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support a student’s full participation in the Choate experience.

To ease the financial burden of a student's participation in distinct, valuable opportunities that are associated with, and enhance, the student's academic, athletic and extracurricular involvements, a student may apply to this fund to cover non-tuition associated costs.
At the discretion of the Dean of Students, the fund may also be used to provide financial support to a student facing emergency circumstances. 

Families inquiring about a fee waiver for the Admission Application or the Secondary School Admission Test should contact the Admission Office by email or by calling (203) 697-2239. The Clarity Financial Aid Application automatically determines fee waiver eligibility.

Yes. We commit to meeting 100% of a family’s demonstrated need. 

Families who live outside of the United States and who do not file a United States income tax return (Form 1040) are asked to complete the Clarity Application and to do so by using the United States dollar equivalent. Families will also be asked to complete an International Student Financial Aid Profile and a copy of their most recent federal income tax return, an official signed statement from an employer that details annual income, or wage statements.

Students with exceptionally high levels of demonstrated need receive additional financial assistance with the cost of books, travel, and the other school-related needs.

All students, regardless of whether they receive financial aid, are eligible to apply for support from The Beyond the Classroom Fund. The purpose of this fund is to support a student’s full participation in the Choate experience.

To ease the financial burden of a student's participation in distinct, valuable opportunities that are associated with, and enhance, the student's academic, athletic and extracurricular involvements, a student may apply to this fund to cover non-tuition associated costs.

At the discretion of the Dean of Students, the fund may also be used to provide financial support to a student facing emergency circumstances.

As a member of the National Association of Independent Schools, we endorse its recommendation that both birth parents have an obligation to contribute to the education of their children to the extent they are able. If you have further questions about your particular situation, please contact our office at financialaid@choate.edu. 

Choate's financial aid grants are based upon a family's demonstrated financial need as determined by our financial aid analysis. Choate does not offer merit scholarships or loans. 

To withdraw your application for financial aid, please email us at financialaid@choate.edu as we will need your request in writing.