Financial Aid
Affording a High-Quality Education
Does high-quality early childhood education feel out of reach for your family? We work hard to help families afford a place for their child at our school.
At Paché Montessori School, we believe children should be able to experience a high-quality education, regardless of their economic background. That’s why we offer a thoughtful financial aid program, which provides assistance based on a family’s ability to pay, allowing us to make our programs available for families of all incomes.
If our tuition seems out of reach, we encourage you to apply for financial aid regardless of your income level. We review each application on a case-by-case basis and consider your individual circumstances in order to determine the amount of your expected family contribution.
How does it work?
We have a simple and confidential process
Paché Montessori uses TADS, a trusted third party, to help us objectively assess each family and to serve as the baseline for our Financial Aid determinations.
After your application has been submitted, you will receive information about how to set up your TADS account for financial aid (also available here), where you will enter your information and provide your supporting financial materials.
We will review your information carefully and work with you on an individual basis to find a tuition level based on the amount your family is expected to contribute towards your child’s education and care.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many families at Paché receive financial aid?
The proportion varies from year to year; however, about 20-25% of our families are currently receiving some form of financial aid. For the 2023-24 school year, the average annual award is currently $23,000, but this amount can vary significantly from family to family.
How do you calculate how much financial aid I will receive?
We use a standardized calculation from a third-party organization, TADS, as a guide to determine the amount a family can contribute towards the cost of a Paché Montessori education. Factors considered include gross taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, family size, and the cost of living. After deducting expenses and taxes, the remaining funds are considered available for education on a sliding scale. We also consider any individual special circumstances that a family might have when determining the amount of financial aid to award.
After calculating how much we believe a family can contribute towards education, we then take into account our remaining financial aid funds for the program the family has applied for. Decisions are based on a combination of demonstrated need and availability of funds. Unfortunately, we may not be able to award financial aid to every family who applies or who qualifies.
I don’t have my tax return yet, can I still apply for financial aid?
Depending on the timing of your financial aid application, we realize that you may not have your tax returns finalized. In this case, you will be asked to provide your previous year’s tax return and to provide us with your best estimate of your current financial situation.
Does it matter when I apply for financial aid?
Yes! The amount of financial aid we have is limited and we first allocate financial aid awards to returning families. Our financial aid budget will be more limited for families applying late in the year or for the current academic year.
How much financial aid can I receive?
The amount of financial aid varies based on your personal circumstances and other external factors, including the remaining available financial aid funds. Although we are not able to award financial aid to every family who applies, awards that are granted can range from as little as a thousand dollars to almost the entire tuition amount. However, every family is required to contribute some amount towards their child’s tuition.
When will I receive my financial aid offer?
Unless there are special circumstances, we make our formal financial aid offer at the same time as your enrollment offer. Given that financial aid funds are limited and subject to change, we cannot provide a guaranteed financial aid offer before you complete the application process. In some instances, however, we may be able to provide a non-binding estimate of the financial aid you might receive.
What is the financial aid process?
Please visit our Financial Aid Instructions page for detailed instructions about how to apply for financial aid via TADS. Keep in mind that you are also expected to submit an enrollment application (available after attending a tour) in order to receive a formal offer.
Is there a specific income level to qualify for financial aid?
Because financial situations vary greatly, there's no strict income cutoff to qualify for financial aid. Our calculations consider a multitude of variables, including special circumstances. Generally, if you feel the tuition at Paché may be unaffordable or too expensive, there's a good chance you will qualify for some level of financial aid, although the exact amount of aid may vary depending on the program and remaining financial aid funds.
Are the details of my financial aid application kept confidential?
Absolutely! Your financial aid application details will remain confidential and are stored securely through our third-party partner, TADS. Only a small group on our Financial Aid Committee will have access to the information you submit.
Will I have to re-apply for financial aid each year?
Yes, financial aid is granted for one year and renewal is not automatic or guaranteed. Families must submit financial aid application forms each year, as available funds can vary from year to year and each family’s financial circumstances may also change.
Who can I contact if I have more questions about the financial aid process?
You can reach out to us through our contact form or by emailing info@pachemontessori.com and we’ll connect you with our Financial Aid team.