Tuition & Financial Aid

SCH is committed to building an inclusive community from a wide range of backgrounds independent of financial means and gives careful consideration to all financial aid applications. Our financial aid is awarded on the basis of demonstrated need and determined on an annual basis. While we use tax and employment information as a guide to assess each family's need, the amount of aid awarded is also based upon total funds available, the number of applicants, and the timeliness of your application. It is in your best interest to submit a financial aid application as soon as possible; later requests will be considered only if funds are still available.

Step 1 – Submit your Financial Aid Application

• Please complete your financial aid application through Clarity. Please note: to complete your Clarity Application, it can take 30-45 minutes. The Clarity Application is also mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. Here is a step-by-step walkthrough of Clarity's Application Guide.
• Google Chrome is the recommended browser.
• The application fee for your family is $60 regardless of the number of children or schools you are applying to. 
• Clarity does not need you to upload basic tax documents (i.e. 1040 and W-2 forms). Clarity retrieves them from the IRS on your behalf (making the application process easier).
• If additional tax documentation is needed, you will be prompted by Clarity. You will then need to return to your Clarity dashboard to upload the additional documentation to your application.
• If you need support while completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email (support@claritytuition.com) and phone support at 206-210-3752, in both English and Spanish. 

Step 2 – What to Expect Next

Once your student's admissions decision has been made by the SCH Admissions Committee, your completed financial aid application will be submitted to the SCH Financial Aid Committee for review. It is in your best interest to submit a financial aid application as soon as possible; later requests will be considered only if funds are still available.

TUITION

Included in Tuition:
At SCH, tuition is inclusive of all required fees, including technology and technology fees (division-specific iPads, chargers, laptops), books and supplies, field trips, athletic uniforms, Parent Association dues, and Tuition Refund Plan. 

Not Included in Tuition:
Lunch, certain athletic and extracurricular team fees, PSAT and SAT testing, private music lessons, and lost items. 

Tuition Payment Plans

Parents may now use money saved in a 529 plan to pay for private school tuition for kindergarten through 12th grade. Grandparents can also open a 529 account and name a grandchild as beneficiary or they can contribute to an already existing 529 account. Please consult with your tax accountant for annual limits and further details.

SCH uses FACTS Management to manage our tuition payment plans and incidental billing. All families are required to enroll with FACTS and select one of the four payment plans:

• Pay in Full.
• Semi-Annual (60%/40%).
• Quarterly.
• Monthly.

A $500 non-refundable enrollment deposit is required within two weeks following the date of acceptance to hold your student(s) place for the upcoming school year. 

Questions? Please contact the Business Office Student Billing, schbusinessoffice@sch.org or call: 215-247-7086.

Tuition Refund Plan

SCH Academy recognizes that students may decide not to attend or to stop attending SCH Academy due to changes in circumstances.

To withdraw your child, you will need to send in a cancellation notice which must be (a) dated, (b) state the student’s name (c) state the undersigned’s intent to terminate, and (d) be signed by the undersigned. Once the cancellation notice is received, the Director of Admissions & Enrollment Management will contact you. The cancellation notice should be sent to the Admissions Office:

SCH Academy
Attn: Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management
500 W. Willow Grove Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19118

All families must contact the Business Office (schbusinessoffice@sch.org) to discuss their final tuition statement and make full payment of any outstanding balance at the time of withdrawal. Any credit balance will be refunded and mailed to you.

Incidental fees such as school store charges and outstanding lunch fees will not be refunded under the Tuition Refund Plan.

The enrollment deposit is retained in all circumstances and the following credit will be applied to the full cost of the annual tuition.

Withdrawals for the Upcoming Academic Year:
February 2 to April 30 – Enrollment deposit only is retained
May 1 to August 31 – 50% 

Withdrawals During the Current Academic Year:
September 1 to November 30 – 50% 
December 1 to 31 – 40% 
January 1 to 31 – 30% 
February 1 to 28 – 20% 
March 1 to 31 – 10% 
April 1 to June 30 – 0%

Questions? Please contact: 215-247-7086 or email schbusinessoffice@sch.org.

upper School
Scholarship Opportunities

Jordie Maine '79 Scholarship

The Jordie Maine '79 Scholarship is awarded annually to one scholar-athlete who exemplifies the character, talent, and leadership abilities of Jordie Maine, CHA alumnus. All incoming 9th grade students and current SCH 8th graders are eligible to apply to the Jordie Maine '79 Scholarship. 

Deadline to apply: January 5 | SCH will notify named scholars by mid-January for the scholars joining the 9th grade class that fall. 

Jordie Maine '79 Application 

Ellis Trust for Girls Grant Program

Ellis Trust For Girls is an outside tuition assistance grant program that SCH encourages qualified families to apply for. The Ellis Trust application is available beginning January 1 and closes on March 15. Basic qualifications for this grant program include: the applicant must be female, the applicant must live within a Philadelphia zip code, and the applicant must be applying for Upper School (grades 9-12). More details about the Ellis Trust for Girls Grant Program can be found on their website (please click the button below to learn more).

Ellis Trust Information

Lower and Middle School 

At this time, there are no scholarship opportunities for Lower and Middle School students. Families in Lower and Middle School are welcome to apply for financial aid. Please see the "Process" and "Timeline" tabs for more information. 

Criteria used when evaluating financial aid applications:  

• Need-blind admission: Admission and financial aid decisions are separate; students must be admitted before being considered for aid.
• Need-based awards: Grants are awarded based on demonstrated financial need, as determined by the Financial Aid Committee using the Clarity application.
• Parental responsibility: Families are primarily responsible for tuition. All sources of income, assets, dependents, debts, and spending priorities are considered. Deadlines must be met.
• Priority: Families who complete the Clarity application on time receive priority consideration.   
• Non-working parent: Income is imputed for a non-working parent unless caring for a young child or elderly parent.
• Confidentiality: Both the school and families must keep financial aid information private.
• Renewal: Aid is reassessed annually based on continued need, academic progress, citizenship, and good financial standing.
• Awarding: Applying does not guarantee eligibility or funding availability.

Other Key Policies

• Full participation is required from both biological parents, stepparents, and any adult with financial influence in the child’s life.

• Complete documentation and transparency are required from all relevant parties, regardless of custody arrangements, divorce, or separation.

• SCH is not bound by legal decrees excusing a parent from financial responsibility.

• In cases of cohabitation, adoption, or artificial insemination, financial information is required from all parents/guardians/adults in the household.