Ethel Walker SchoolWalker’s Financial Assistance Program provides qualified girls with the opportunity for a premier independent school education while fostering a well-balanced, richly diverse student body.
Our financial aid program is need-based and does not include merit scholarships.
Each family must apply annually for financial aid, and their tax documents will be reviewed annually. Once a financial aid grant is given to a family, the School commits to providing the same percentage of assistance in the future as long as demonstrated need remains the same, and the student remains in good standing. It is also important to know that when tuition increases from year to year, families are asked to assume some percentage of this increase. Any questions concerning qualifications for financial aid may be addressed to Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.
Use the following checklist as a roadmap to help you organize the steps of the financial aid process.
-estimate until you receive them
2020 Tax returns and all schedules
*Please note that you may be required to produce other documentation as requested.
2020 Tax returns and all schedules
*Please note that you may be required to produce other documentation as requested.
Please note the following financial aid application deadlines:
The SSS website also provides helpful tools to guide you through the process of applying for financial aid.
Each financial aid application will be reviewed on an individual basis. Our guidelines are meant to assist the Financial Aid Committee with the issuance of financial aid awards.
Continuing families currently receiving financial aid will be given first priority. Adherence to deadlines is essential; funds will be allocated to other families if materials have not been submitted by the deadline.
Financial aid awards are for one year. Failure to comply with financial aid deadlines may disqualify a student from receiving aid. Misrepresentation, or failure to disclose completely all information on the Parents’ Financial Statement, will result in the loss of financial aid.
A complete 2021 Federal tax return, including all appropriate schedules, must be received by SSS via NAIS by January 1, 2023 for returning families and January 15 for new families. If you require special considerations, please contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.
Unmarried Couples and Single Parents
The birth parent(s) and guardian(s) must report all income and assets.
Divorced or Separated Parents
The Ethel Walker School’s policy for determining the financial need of students from separated or divorced families is derived from the underlying principle on which we base financial aid for all of our students — that is, parents should pay the educational expenses of their children to the extent they are able. For further information regarding this policy please contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.
Tuition does not include: books for grades 6–12 (books are purchased online); field trips, such as international trips; some athletic equipment; optional sports fees; and riding lesson fees. For more information, please contact Sarah Edwards, Financial Aid Specialist, at sedwards@ethelwalker.org.
The Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) at The Ethel Walker School affords recovery of some or all tuition payments in accordance with the TRP provisions in the event the student does not complete the academic school year. The TRP fee is due in full at the same time as the first tuition installment on or before September 2. The TRP is 3.1% of the net tuition. For more information see the Tuition Refund Guide.
Financial Aid Specialist
Sarah Edwards has held leadership roles in secondary school admission and financial aid for the past 23 years. In 2009, Sarah founded a consulting firm to support independent schools implement mission-aligned financial aid policies. She served as Director of Admission and Financial Aid at The Derryfield School in Manchester, NH and previously led the Admission and Financial Aid Department for Boston University Academy in Boston, MA.
