Affording Derryfield

What is the range of equitable tuitions?

For the 2022-2023 school year, equitable tuitions range from $500-$39,000.

What is the difference between equitable tuition and merit? Can I apply for both?

Students may apply for both Financial Aid and Merit Scholarships. The need-based equitable tuition program at The Derryfield School is designed to help make a Derryfield education accessible to qualified students who could not otherwise afford the cost of attending. Merit scholarships are awarded to students based upon academic and extracurricular talents and are not need-based. The committees overseeing these decisions are separate from the Admission Committees.

Will applying for equitable tuition affect my child’s chance for admission?

The Derryfield School strives to place the qualifications of the applicant at the heart of the decision-making process; however, with limited ability to offer lower range tuitions, the Admission Committee may be prevented from being able to offer admission acceptance to every qualified applicant. Students qualified for admission who do not receive equitable tuition are placed in our admission waitpool.

Do you offer assistance for costs beyond tuition?

Students whose tuition is less than 50% of full tuition receive the Student Activities Credit (SAC), which offers financial support for extracurricular items and ranges from $60-$225, depending on the grade level. It covers such items as yearbooks, optional field trips, or team spirit gear. While this grant will not cover 100% of these expenses, it does provide additional support for student involvement in our community. Students whose tuition is less than 10% of full tuition qualify for financial support for their computers and textbooks. Some students also qualify for meal subsidy or bus transportation.

Do you offer tuition payment plan options?

Tuition payments at The Derryfield School include both a non-refundable deposit and the remaining tuition balance. The non-refundable 10% deposit is due upon enrollment each spring.

The balance of tuition and other school fees are paid to Blackbaud Tuition Management. This is not a loan program; therefore, you are not incurring additional debt. There are no interest or finance charges assessed for payments made on time, and there is no credit check. There is a $50 annual administrative fee and the cost of tuition refund insurance.

The Derryfield School offers three payment plans through Blackbaud Tuition Management:

• One Payment in July. (Tuition insurance is optional.)
• Two Payments in July and November (Tuition insurance is mandatory.)
• Nine Payments in July through March. (Tuition insurance is mandatory.)

Each payment plan offers you the choice of paying your equitable tuition balance by check, automatic bank account withdrawal, debit, or credit card. Payments made with a debit or credit card are subject to a 2.85% processing fee.

How does the equitable tuition process assess the situation of separated or divorced families?

The Equitable Tuition Committee considers the financial resources of all parents and any step-parents. Both parents, custodial or noncustodial, are required to complete and submit a Clarity Tuition application. If natural parents have remarried, we also consider the assets of the step-parent, always bearing in mind the primary obligations of that step-parent to his or her own children.

Will my child receive the same tuition rate from year-to-year?

Families must complete the Clarity Tuition application and re-apply for Equitable Tuition every year. A student’s tuition is reviewed and renewed based on the most current family financial profile, and for students who continue to meet the School’s requirements and expectations. Although the School endeavors to provide a tuition that a family can accommodate, slight tuition increases should be anticipated each year.

If my child enrolls without reduced tuition, can we expect to receive reduced tuition in future years?

Generally not, unless your family experiences significant or unusual changes in financial circumstances from the previous year. Derryfield recognizes that there are unfortunate events that change a family’s ability to contribute to tuition, and Derryfield will work with families to formulate a plan for financing. If your child does not receive a reduced tuition and your family cannot afford to finance full tuition for the remaining years, we strongly recommend that your child does not enroll.

Are there waivers for the admission application, SSAT, and Equitable Tuition processing fees?

Admission and SSAT Fees

• Guided by the USDA Income and Eligibility parameters, the Admission Office can offer reduced fees for the admission and SSAT fees. Please call us at 603-669-4524, option 3 for information.

Equitable Tuition Fees

• Upon submission of a family’s equitable tuition application, our process automatically evaluates eligibility and applies fee waivers for families who qualify. Families do not need to request or apply for a fee waiver from the school.