Payment Strategies and Options

Whether you are a parent looking to send your child to a private K-12 school or your child is currently enrolled in one, you are probably exploring your options for how to pay for tuition and the other costs associated with a K-12 school. The following information will guide you as you consider the many loan program options available to help you pay for your child's private education.

Tuition Planning

Advanced planning is your best option for financing a private school education. The first step in planning for education financing is to contact the admissions or business office at your child's current or prospective school. The financial aid officers at the school can help you learn about available financing options. Waiting until the last minute is never a good idea regarding financial matters. By starting your research early, you give yourself time to plan to pay for this major expense on the best terms possible.

Today a large number of private school students receive financial aid. Many schools offer financial aid through merit awards and need-based scholarships. Based on eligibility, these awards can help make private school education more affordable. Financial aid grants may cover a significant portion of your child's tuition, depending on the school and eligibility. Knowing what a potential award might be helps you plan your borrowing.

About Private School Student Loans

In addition to scholarships and grants, there is another valuable resource to help you pay for your child's education, particularly when grants and

You have just paid $45,000 for a year's tuition and fees at St. Sedgewick's. You are all set, right? Not exactly. What happens if your child suddenly takes sick before the end of the school year? What if circumstances beyond your control force you to withdraw her from school in March? What if he is expelled? In brief, you are obligated for the entire year's tuition and fees regardless of whether your child completes the year or not.

What Are My Options?

The only remedy you have is to sign up for the school's refund plan. It typically acts like insurance in the event that your child withdraws before end of year. The insurance plan will pay for the unused/remaining portion of your child's time at the school. You contracted to pay for an entire year when you signed the contract with the school at the time she was accepted. You do not want to be out of pocket. Neither does the school. This is why tuition refund insurance is an important part of your planning for a private school education. Tuition refund policies are in place at every private school regardless of whether it is day or boarding, large or small, elementary/nursery school or high school.

St. Mary's policy is the sort of thing you can expect at most schools:

"To minimize the loss to a family due to early departure or change in boarding status, Saint Mary’s School has established a Refund Plan. Under ordinary circumstances,