Financial Aid and Private Schools

[Anonymous]

I have been researching the DC area private schools in preparation for the application process for the 2009-2010. Receiving some financial aid is really the only way that we will be able to make this work.

I have seen statistics for many of the most mentioned schools on this forum (Maret, GDS, NCS/STA) for financial aid receipients at anywhere from 15 to 25% of the student body.

If anyone out there is in a position to know, or has had direct experience, can you help me with this question -- are most of the financial aid receipients at the high school level? Or does the 15 to 25% mean that in any given grade (including elementary school which is what we will be looking at), 15 to 25% of the students receive aid?

My husband is convinced that the majority of financial aid is given to those who enroll at the high school level, rather than in the elementary/middle school years. I am hopeful that is not the case.

[Anonymous]

You should just ask the admissions and financial aid directors at the schools that interest you. It probably varies from school to school given that tuition and dollars available for financial aid vary. I don't think parents would have access to that information aside from anecdotally.

[Anonymous]

I think quite a few of "parents" responding on this Private School forum are ADs or other school insiders. Maybe the OP was seeking their anonymous input?

Shame the ADs and schools can't just openly publish stats regarding wait lists, acceptances, financial aid, etc.

[Anonymous]

I know for a fact that Maret, Beauvoir, GDS, Sidwell, STA, and NCS all have financial aid programs at the elementary level that are at least nearly as generous as those at the upper school level.