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 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 determining how much 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.

The amount of financial aid we are able to offer varies by program and given the limited spots we have available in our Infant and young Toddler classrooms, we typically have more financial aid available once they reach the Toddler 2's and Primary programs.

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. Keep in mind that you are also expected to submit an enrollment application 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. 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.

If I decide not to apply for financial aid when I first apply for admissions, can I apply for financial aid?

If a family does not indicate they will be applying for financial aid when submitting their application, the family is not eligible to apply for financial aid in the same year, unless there has been a significant unforeseen financial change.

If you indicated you will be applying for financial aid, your application will not be considered completed until you submit the separate financial aid application. If you have changed your mind and decide to not apply for financial aid, please notify us so it will not delay the processing of your application.

After the first year, a family that did not apply for financial aid may be eligible if their financial circumstances have changed, but should apply by our financial aid deadline before re-enrollment and reach out to Paché to discuss.

What happens if a parent is unemployed or if there are significant changes to income?

If one or both parents are unemployed, we may calculate an assumed income unless there is a valid reason provided, such as caring for a child with special needs, health or disability concerns, caregiving responsibilities, or documented challenges in finding employment. Any unemployment income or severance payments must be reported in your financial aid application. It is expected that parents who are unemployed are actively looking for work.

If a family chooses to voluntarily lower their household income (such as when a parent decides to return to school, start a new business, or pursue a less financially rewarding career), Paché typically will not cover the resulting financial gap with financial aid. Generally, we will continue to assume income at the family's previous earning level, and such voluntary income reductions are considered low priority when distributing financial aid.

Can I receive financial aid for multiple children (or a new child)?

Paché does take into consideration the cost of having multiple children when calculating the amount of financial aid a family qualifies for. To ensure that we are able to support as many families as possible, Paché limits the total amount of financial aid awarded to any one family and will typically not support more than two students from any family.

In addition, due to the high costs of operating our Infant program, the amount of financial aid we are able to offer for this program is typically limited. Paché expects that a family planning for a new child will have arranged to fund their child's education and child care without depending heavily on Paché's financial aid.

While siblings do enjoy the benefit of priority enrollment, the amount of aid offered to an existing child will not necessarily be provided to an additional child.

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. The amount of financial aid is re-evaluated each year and the amount of aid can increase or decrease if a family's financial situation changes. However, we will generally work hard towards making sure that a family receiving financial aid, who has not seen a change in circumstance, will not see an increase that exceeds inflation.

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.