Through a generous financial aid budget, Thacher has for decades put into practice its commitment to admitting and enrolling the most qualified and compelling students regardless of their families’ financial resources. Approximately 30 percent of students receive aid, through awards that vary according to family needs. Families who are concerned that Thacher may be beyond their means are encouraged to consider financial aid and financing options that can make Thacher an affordable and realistic choice.
Tuition for 2009-2010
Boarding Tuition and fees: $42,900
Day Tuition and fees: $28,650
Families may also have annual, personal, incidental expenses averaging between $900 - $1,500.
This past year over $1.96 million in financial aid was awarded with the average grant of $26,000. When awarding financial aid, The Thacher School applies national financial aid standards and guidelines established by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Pittsburgh, PA. Families wishing to be considered for financial aid must annually submit a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS). Parents are also required to submit their most recent tax information. The goal of the Financial Aid Committee is to insure that each family's financial contribution toward tuition, room, and board is a feasible, annual contribution. The deadline for all financial aid applications is February 10. For more information or to request financial aid application forms, please contact the Thacher Admission Office at 805-640-3210.
Affordability and Financial Aid Frequently Asked Questions
How can we afford a Thacher education?
Families who are concerned that affording a Thacher education may be beyond their means are encouraged to consider applying for financial aid or participating in one of the payment plans offered by the school. Tuition may be budgeted through three different payment programs. Over $1,963,300 of need-based financial aid was awarded to qualifying families for the 2009-10 school year. These funds support 32 percent of the student body.
How does the payment plan work?
Tuition may be budgeted through three different programs.
- Tuition paid in 10 monthly installments (July 1 - April 1).
- Tuition paid in two installments (two-thirds by August 1; balance by December 15).
- Tuition paid in one installment (due August 1).
How do I learn more about the financial aid process?
Please contact the Thacher Admission office at 805-640-3210. We can help you learn more about the national financial aid standards and guidelines established by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Families wishing to be considered for financial aid must annually submit a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS). Parents are also asked to submit their most recent tax information. www.sss.nais.org PFS online application through SSS.
How do I apply for financial aid?
In order to be considered for financial aid, families must submit a Parents' Financial Statement to the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) and a copy of a current year Federal Income Tax Return to Thacher. To request financial aid forms, please call the Admission Office or check the appropriate box on Form A of the application. Forms are available in mid-December, and are due back to the Financial Aid Committee by early February. Aid awards are made within a week of admission decisions.
How is a family's financial contribution determined?
The Financial Aid Committee uses the SSS methodology as the basis for its determination of what a family might reasonably be expected to contribute toward educational expenses. This formula considers the income, assets, and expenses of both the student and the parents. The total amount available from a family for education costs is divided among all children attending tuition-charging schools.
Will applying for financial aid affect my child's chances for admission?
The aim of The Thacher School is to accept students on their own qualifications without regard to their family's financial resources. Accordingly, financial considerations should not deter anyone from applying for admission to the School. The Financial Aid Committee allocates need-based financial aid to as many qualified families as possible. However, on occasion, family need may be greater than the School's financial resources. In this situation, students may be placed on a waiting list.
The Financial Aid Committee considers the financial resources of both parents and any stepparents. Both the custodial and non-custodial parents are required to complete financial aid applications.
Will my child's financial aid award change from year to year?
Awards are made on a year-to-year basis. Families must reapply annually if continued aid is sought. Unless there is a significant change in family circumstance, a family can expect that awards will remain constant. Increases in tuition costs are typically shared by the family and Thacher.
Named Scholarships and Foundation Grants
Thacher is proud to have the generous financial support of alumni and numerous foundations as the cornerstone of its strong financial aid program. Many named scholarships and awards have been established during the School's 118–year history.
- Elizabeth Helms Adams Scholarship
- The Ahmanson Foundation Scholarship
- Tamima Michele Al-Awar CdeP 2002 Scholarship
- Anonymous Fund
- Barbakow Family Fund
- Melinda and John Baum CdeP 1965 Endowed Scholarship
- Craig R. Best CdeP 1980 Endowment for Financial Aid
- Bowie Family Endowed Scholarship
- Elizabeth K. Chase Scholarship
- Michael D. Chesley Scholarship
- Robert E. Chesley Endowment Scholarship Fund
- Class of 1953 Memorial Scholarship
- Class of 1973 Scholarship
- Wetherill Collins CdeP 1930 Scholarship
- Michael J. Connell Foundation Scholarship
- Crozier Scholarship Endowment for International Enrichment
- John K. Curtis CdeP 1923 Scholarship
- Mark L. Dees CdeP 1951 Scholarship
- Peter Colt Goodwin CdeP 1962 Memorial Scholarship
- Corinne Bissette Grace Scholarship
- James C. Greene CdeP 1932 Scholarship
- Elizabeth Hixon Hunter Scholarship
- Margaret and Jack Huyler Scholarship
- Owen Jameson CdeP 1930 Scholarship Endowment
- T. Carrick Jordan CdeP 1958 Scholarship
- Roger Kent CdeP 1924 Scholarship
- David S. Lavender Scholarship
- Martha Lavender Scholarship
- McDuffie Family Scholarship
- Ethel Meier Scholarship
- Joseph D. and Elizabeth Gamble Messler Scholarship
- John R. Metcalf CdeP 1933 Memorial Scholarship
- Stanley Morrison CdeP 1909 Memorial Scholarship
- Henry T. Mudd CdeP 1931 Scholarship Fund
- Robert S. and Helen P. O’Dell Scholarship
- Alex and Margaret Oser Foundation Scholarship
- Patagonia Scholarship Fund
- Eugene V. & Mary W. Parker Fund
- Samuel A. Pond CdeP 1932 Scholarship
- Rauner Endowed Scholarship
- John J. Redfern III Scholarship
- Marvin H. Shagam Scholarship
- A.O. Smith CdeP 1949 Scholarship Fund
- Patricia Frobes & Richard Smith Art Scholarship
- Anson S. Thacher CdeP 1923 Scholarship
- Times-Mirror Foundation Scholarship
- Norman Mackintosh Todd CdeP 1940 Scholarship
- Charles L. Tutt CdeP 1907 Scholarship
- Terry and Cricket Twichell Scholarship
- Thomas E. Walden CdeP 1961 Scholarship
- Wells Family Minority Scholarship
- Tim Whelan CdeP 1950 Scholarship
- Willard G. Wyman Scholarship
- Sybil and Perry Yates Scholarship
|