Affording Town School

Town School for Boys is committed to creating a school community that reflects the diversity of the San Francisco Bay Area, including economic diversity, understanding that many perspectives enhance the educational experience and the culture of the school for all members.

Through our Tuition Assistance Program, we endeavor to help families from a range of financial means access a Town School education. Given the high cost of living in the Bay Area, we encourage families considering assistance to apply; families of varying financial means qualify for a range of tuition assistance grants. Applying for Tuition Assistance is confidential and will not affect your application to Town School.

The tuition for the 2022-23 school year is $42,170. Tuition covers lunch, snack, technology use across the grades, books, activity fees, field trips and outdoor education trips. Tuition Assistance grants cover a percent of tuition, after school programs, educational support and other school-related expenses. Additional funds are also available to help ensure families have equal access to all school activities including athletics, special events and parent programs. Grants are awarded based on demonstrated need.

In addition, Town School works closely with families who do not qualify for Tuition Assistance to help determine the payment plan that best suits that family’s needs.

For the 2022-23 school year Town School has allocated $2,455,697 to K-8 families. Eighteen percent of the student body receives Tuition Assistance.

How To Apply for Tuition Assistance

Families Returning to Town School

Returning families applying for Tuition Assistance for the 2023-24 school year, whether you have applied in the past or are applying for the first time, should use School and Student Services by NAIS website to apply for the coming year. Families must reapply each year and submit their documentation on time to qualify for consideration. Families who submit their information on time will receive their tuition assistance decision by early March.

By January 31

File your completed Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) directly with the School and Student Services (SSS). All SSS forms are available here.
Please complete only one PFS if you're applying to other Bay Area independent schools
The Town School for Boys code is 7708

By February 15

Submit the following supplemental financial records to the SSS:
Copy of your prior year federal income tax return (Form 1040). For example, by February 15, 2023, please submit your 2022 tax return.
Copy of all current supplemental supplemental schedules to your Form 1040
Copies of all W2s and 1099s
Business/Farm Financial Statement (if applicable)

The School and Student Services website (SSS) is a service used by independent schools across the country to help assess a family's ability to pay for independent school tuition. The form is available now, for applications due January 31.

Contact Brooke Jenkins, Director of Admission and Tuition Assistance, via email or at 415-746-1151 with any questions regarding the tuition assistance program at Town School.

Families Applying to Town School

Applicant families applying for Tuition Assistance for the 2023-24 school year should utilize the School and Student Services by NAIS website to submit their information. Families must reapply each year and submit their documentation on time to qualify for consideration. Tuition assistance decisions are sent with admissions decisions on March 16, 2023.

By January 31

File your completed Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) directly with the School and Student Services (SSS). All SSS forms are available here.
Please complete only one PFS if you're applying to other Bay Area independent schools
The Town School for Boys code is 7708

By February 15

Submit the following supplemental financial records to the SSS:
Copy of your prior year federal income tax return (Form 1040). For example, by February 15, 2023, please submit your 2022 tax return.
Copy of all current supplemental supplemental schedules to your Form 1040
Copies of all W2s and 1099s
Business/Farm Financial Statement (if applicable)

You are invited to attend our virtual Affording Town School session on January 4, 2023. Contact Brooke Jenkins, Director of Admission and Tuition Assistance, via email or at 415-746-1151 with any questions regarding the tuition assistance program at Town School.

Frequently Asked Questions About Our Tuition Assistance Program

Will applying for tuition assistance affect a student’s chance of admission to the school?
No. Decisions about admissions and tuition assistance are made independently and confidentially.

What are typical ranges of tuition assistance that a qualified family receives?
Families receive tuition assistance ranging from 5% to 98% of the tuition cost, based on demonstrated need.

What costs are covered by tuition assistance?
Tuition assistance covers tuition, lunch, books, technology fees, activity fees and outdoor education trips. The costs of the Extended Day Program is reduced at the same percentage as tuition assistance. Tuition assistance funds also are used to ensure every family has equal access to all Town School activities like athletics, special events, and parent programs.

When should I apply?
Please apply at the time of your initial application to Town School if you feel that tuition assistance is appropriate for your family. If you apply at a later time, funds may not be available.

If we did not apply for tuition assistance in a prior year, may we apply in subsequent years?
Families may apply in subsequent years if there is an adverse change to their financial situation. Awards will be made based on eligibility and budget availability.

What factors determine a family’s eligibility?
Eligibility is determined by the School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), a service used by independent schools nationwide to help assess a family’s ability to pay for independent school tuition. Using the service provided by SSS helps to ensure that a family’s request for tuition assistance is treated objectively and professionally.

SSS computes a family’s recommended tuition contribution based on a standard calculation that considers gross taxable income (based on the tax forms you submit), assets, family size, and number of children in tuition-charging schools.

Will a family receive tuition assistance for the entire time they are at Town School?
We are committed to offering tuition assistance to families throughout their enrollment at Town, provided they submit necessary written documentation and demonstrate continued need on an annual basis. If your family’s financial circumstances remain unchanged from the prior year, the school will renew your tuition assistance award.

What about single families and divorced families?
We believe that both parents are responsible for the educational expenses of their children, to the extent that they are financially able. Town School requires families to submit financial information from all adults living in the students’ household(s). If parents are divorced, separated, have never been married, and/or are remarried, all parents and including step-parents must submit financial information. In the case of divorce, we take into account parents’ and step-parents’ financial commitments to their other children.

Are we eligible for tuition assistance if only one parent works?
In families with only one working parent, the family is eligible for tuition assistance if the parent who is not working outside the home is either caring for non-school age family members or is actively seeking work. It is our expectation that both parents are employed unless they meet one of these two conditions.

Virtual affording town school information session

Student art - butterfly sculptures on a wall