How.do you afford private school? Any suggestions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:what's turning people against OP is the SAHM part, because many of us would like that luxury as well but realize that we can't afford both that luxury and the luxury of private school. so it's galling to be asked to fund someone else's luxury good (private school) so she can keep her existing luxury (not working). we all want the best for our kids OP, and most of us have to make some choice about our priorities.

OP - i think you should really consider looking into the teacher remission and FA policies at the schools where you are interested. Many of the teachers at my kids' school send their kids there, so I'm pretty sure they are getting some assistance. You wouldn't be able to stay home with your 2nd, but you might be able to financially swing it that way.

I don't agree with the first paragraph of this OP -- being as SAHM does not seem like a luxury to me, sounds like a great sacrifice -- one that I'm not interested in. However, the second paragraph is good advice. Check out schools that offer remission and have onsite daycare for free. When we where looking a few years ago I recall Beauvoir offering both to teachers and staff.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:OP apply to the school's you like and apply for aid. There are one too many FA haters on this board who have nothing better to do but tell you what's not possible. #250KHHItwokidsandreceiving50%FA

I agree with this poster. OP, apply for aid and you will be pleasantly surprised. Our HHI is 250 as well with both spouses working and we receive $15k in aid for 2 kids. Annual tuition is 56k for 2 kids. We could make it work without the aid, but the aid allows us some breathing room. I truly believe everyone with hhi of 350k or less should apply for aid. The schools recognize that these tuitions are ridiculous even for those who make a ton of money.

Such entitlement. You do know you are taking it away from the truly needy, right?

What truly needy? Lol. I seriously doubt your statement is correct. Show me the truly needy family that applied and didn't get any? Chances are the truly needy they admitted is getting 97% FA and this poster is probably getting a much smaller percentage, but a percentage that helps. I think you are bit delusional about who is exactly applying to private school. LOL

+1

If the truly needy aren't applying, the schools should be out recruiting. Otherwise, what exactly IS their mission? We "provide good educational options to people who would have gotten a pretty good education anyway"

There are several post of people saying that they needed too much aid and the school awarded zero even though DC got in. In most cases FA is a gap pay, maybe in high school you have a super star with a full ride but that's not how the funds are allocated from what I have seen.

Not from what I have seen. My DC is in K with a 60% financial aid award and our HHI is $225K. I know of at least two other families at my school with similar income and financial aid award. I think it all depends on the school you apply to.

It is appalling that someone with an income of $225k applies for any aid, and even more appalling that they get 60%.

[Anonymous]

I think people are getting themselves all worked up about what are considered the "elite" private schools. There are a TON of other private schools out there, many of them very, very good. You don't have to send your kid to Sidwell, and if you look beyond the "big names," I think you will find that the tuition fees are expensive but not quite so outrageous. Paying for two kids may still be a challenge, but it might not be a $80,000 challenge so much as a $40,000 challenge, and with some financial aid as needed, this may be more doable than some other schools.

Also, OP, if you intend to go back to work in a few years, you may be able to make private school work by scraping by for a few years when you only have one tuition payment for the older kid and then plan to get a job to help offset the cost when your younger kid starts. If you can, look for jobs at the schools you're interested in, since you say you work in education. There's no guarantee, but it's definitely worth taking a look. If you know people there because your older kid is going there and you're active in the community, that may also help you get a job there when you apply because people will know you.

[Anonymous]

$225k with 60% financial aid is appalling.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:OP apply to the school's you like and apply for aid. There are one too many FA haters on this board who have nothing better to do but tell you what's not possible. #250KHHItwokidsandreceiving50%FA

I agree with this poster. OP, apply for aid and you will be pleasantly surprised. Our HHI is 250 as well with both spouses working and we receive $15k in aid for 2 kids. Annual tuition is 56k for 2 kids. We could make it work without the aid, but the aid allows us some breathing room. I truly believe everyone with hhi of 350k or less should apply for aid. The schools recognize that these tuitions are ridiculous even for those who make a ton of money.

Such entitlement. You do know you are taking it away from the truly needy, right?

What truly needy? Lol. I seriously doubt your statement is correct. Show me the truly needy family that applied and didn't get any? Chances are the truly needy they admitted is getting 97% FA and this poster is probably getting a much smaller percentage, but a percentage that helps. I think you are bit delusional about who is exactly applying to private school. LOL

+1

If the truly needy aren't applying, the schools should be out recruiting. Otherwise, what exactly IS their mission? We "provide good educational options to people who would have gotten a pretty good education anyway"

There are several post of people saying that they needed too much aid and the school awarded zero even though DC got in. In most cases FA is a gap pay, maybe in high school you have a super star with a full ride but that's not how the funds are allocated from what I have seen.

Not from what I have seen. My DC is in K with a 60% financial aid award and our HHI is $225K. I know of at least two other families at my school with similar income and financial aid award. I think it all depends on the school you apply to.

It is appalling that someone with an income of $225k applies for any aid, and even more appalling that they get 60%.

Blah, blah, blah. Who cares what you think?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:$225k with 60% financial aid is appalling.

What school? I'm applying. We make the same amount and only got 15% in aid, which was amazing and much appreciated so even I'm appalled that you're getting 60%.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$225k with 60% financial aid is appalling.

What school? I'm applying. We make the same amount and only got 15% in aid, which was amazing and much appreciated so even I'm appalled that you're getting 60%.

A Big 3. Just because we have the same HHI does not mean we have the same expenses, debt or savings.

[Anonymous]

Oh great

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$225k with 60% financial aid is appalling.

What school? I'm applying. We make the same amount and only got 15% in aid, which was amazing and much appreciated so even I'm appalled that you're getting 60%.

A Big 3. Just because we have the same HHI does not mean we have the same expenses, debt or savings.

+1 the poster with 15% aid should feel lucky if that is all they need. I would gladly pay full price if I had the necessary HHI + assets.
It shouldn't be a race to the button but to the top.

[Anonymous]

Im subsidizing white middle class kids whose parents are incapable of feeling embarrassed to go to private school. At $2.5 HHI, its insignificant for me, other than the fact that my kids have to go to school with the kids of these terrible people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im subsidizing white middle class kids whose parents are incapable of feeling embarrassed to go to private school. At $2.5 HHI, its insignificant for me, other than the fact that my kids have to go to school with the kids of these terrible people.

I hope you subsidize with a big donation as tuition doesn't cover the cost.

[Anonymous]

That cant possibly be true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im subsidizing white middle class kids whose parents are incapable of feeling embarrassed to go to private school. At $2.5 HHI, its insignificant for me, other than the fact that my kids have to go to school with the kids of these terrible people.

Why should they be embarrassed? All of these seeming inequities are inherent in any system with financial aid.

Here's an idea: How about lowering the sticker price and not having any financial aid at all--with maybe a very few exceptions for, say, a child already in the school who has a parent die and come down with a very expensive medical condition.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Im subsidizing white middle class kids whose parents are incapable of feeling embarrassed to go to private school. At $2.5 HHI, its insignificant for me, other than the fact that my kids have to go to school with the kids of these terrible people.

Why should they be embarrassed? All of these seeming inequities are inherent in any system with financial aid.

Here's an idea: How about lowering the sticker price and not having any financial aid at all--with maybe a very few exceptions for, say, a child already in the school who has a parent die and come down with a very expensive medical condition.

If only we had a option in this country for k-12 education that was free to all! That way if the kid's family befell some financial hardship they wouldn't have to leave school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Im subsidizing white middle class kids whose parents are incapable of feeling embarrassed to go to private school. At $2.5 HHI, its insignificant for me, other than the fact that my kids have to go to school with the kids of these terrible people.

Would it make you feel better if I told you we were a URM?