Flexible Tuition FAQs

• Guide to Completing the FAST Family Application
• How to Upload Additional Documents
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There is a wide range of families who qualify, from those who can afford only minimal tuition to those who can afford almost full tuition. Flexible Tuition is offered to students in Grades K - 8. We recognize that every family situation is different and that even a small amount of reduced tuition can make a critical difference for many families. St. Anne’s encourages all families to apply for Flexible Tuition if they think they may qualify.

Admission applications and Flexible Tuition applications are reviewed separately, and submitting an application for Flexible Tuition has no influence on an applicant’s admissibility. In addition, Flexible Tuition applications are confidential. Information is viewed only by the Business Office. All Flexible Tuition decisions are considered to be confidential agreements between St. Anne’s and the recipient family, and should be treated in the same manner for families.  Faculty and administrators are not aware of which families apply or receive Flexible Tuition.

The Flexible Tuition application is separate from the admission application, but must be completed at the same time in order to receive consideration for a reduction in tuition.

While St. Anne’s has a generous Flexible Tuition budget, it is not unlimited. For that reason, families must follow the Flexible Tuition application deadlines in order to receive consideration for reduced tuition.

St. Anne’s uses the calculations provided by FAST as a starting point in determining the demonstrated need of a family. Other factors considered include the information provided by tax forms, the number of children in tuition charging schools, and any extenuating circumstances. Additional criteria are used for those who are self-employed or own a business or farm, or if there is a non-working parent whose children are of school age.

Current families who are receiving reduced tuition can expect to receive similar levels of funding each year if their financial circumstances remain the same. Every family must reapply for Flexible Tuition each year and meet all stated deadlines. If the current financial picture for a family changes, the amount of reduced tuition may be adjusted accordingly. Families who submit late applications may not be considered for Flexible Tuition

The Business office uses the FAST methodology as the basis for its determination of what a family might reasonably expect to contribute toward educational expenses. The total amount available from a family for education costs is divided among all children attending tuition-charging schools, through the undergraduate degree level.

Through the generosity of donor support, St. Anne's is proud to offer the U.S. Service Scholarship, available to a student whose immediate family member has served in any of the five (5) branches of the U.S. Military, Reserve, and National Guard units: Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard.  Candidates must have a demonstrated need for financial assistance in meeting the full tuition obligation for the upcoming academic year and therefore must also complete the FAST Flexible Tuition Application as part of the process of being considered.  Students awarded the U.S. Service Scholarship will continue to receive this award for the duration of their enrollment at St. Anne’s.  Recipients must maintain academic and community standards which will be reviewed annually. For more information on how to be considered for this scholarship, please contact enrollment@stannesde.org. 

Each parent/guardian household must submit a separate Flexible Tuition application along with all required documents and forms to be considered for Flexible Tuition. Consideration of all available resources from both parents/guardians and their spouses or live-in partners will be based upon the belief that a family’s contribution for education is a reflection of “the ability to contribute, not the willingness to contribute,” which is FAST best practice. As a result, St. Anne’s is not bound by existing decrees, agreements or arrangements exempting a parent from financial responsibility for their child’s education. All financial information is kept strictly confidential and at no time will one household have access to the others’ information.

If a parent is no longer involved in the life of the child in any way, please speak directly with the business office to determine how to proceed. St. Anne’s awards a single Flexible Tuition award to the student and it is the responsibility of the parents to determine a payment schedule structure.

Families may appeal a Flexible Tuition decision by submitting a written appeal outlining the reasons why they feel the Flexible Tuition amount is not sufficient. St. Anne’s expects that any family making an appeal will have reviewed their Flexible Tuition application prior to making an appeal to ensure all information is accurate and up to date. St. Anne’s strives to make decisions that are fair and equitable for all families applying for reduced tuition. 

Families who apply for Flexible Tuition but do not qualify have several options, including a variety of payment plans.

Flexible Tuition is applied to the published Tuition and Fees schedule for each grade.                                                                   Costs not included in tuition and fees include optional transportation fees, some incidental athletic fees (gym uniforms, etc.), lunch service, before and after care costs, and summer camps. Other costs may include Tuition Refund Insurance, which is dependent upon the payment plan option selected.

St. Anne’s realizes that some families experience unexpected temporary financial stresses due to the sudden loss of a job, family illness, or other circumstances. Families are strongly encouraged to contact the Business Office or Admission Office as soon as it becomes apparent that there is a change in circumstance. The Business Office is happy to work with families to develop a temporary payment plan during a time of difficulty.

To make fair and equitable decisions, families are required to follow all stated deadlines to be considered for Flexible Tuition.  While St. Anne’s ability to offer Flexible Tuition is significant, there is a limit to St. Anne’s Flexible Tuition budget.

Families who apply for a reduced tuition but do not qualify have several options, including a variety of payment plans.

All financial information is treated as highly confidential.  Only the business office will see this information, and only the business office, and Admission Office will see the award.  Division Heads and faculty members are not privy to any financial materials, nor are they aware of which families receive Flexible Tuition.

Families enrolling three or more children will receive a 5% sibling discount which will be applied as a reduction to the youngest child's tuition.