Tuition

A Sterne education is a unique investment among independent schools. Our highly-tailored curriculum, coupled with unparalleled wrap-around support for students’ unique academic and social-emotional needs, ensures that students have all the resources they need, right here on campus.

Because we believe so strongly in our mission and values, we do all we can to make the full Sterne experience available to students across the socioeconomic spectrum. Every year, the Board renews its commitment to Tuition Assistance as a fundraising priority; roughly 30% of families receive some form of aid annually. Our Tuition Assistance Program includes both yearly tuition and non-tuition expenses, including after school athletics and annual local, national, and international trips.

2022-2023 Tuition

Tuition Assistance

Sterne School is committed to socioeconomic diversity. We seek to make the cost of attending Sterne affordable for families through tuition reduction. Our Tuition Assistance Program also covers a portion of non-tuition expenses including after school athletics and experiential education programs.

On average, we distribute $1.3 million in tuition assistance dollars annually, and approximately 30% of our students will receive some form of aid. Tuition assistance amounts range from $2,500 to $34,500, with an average award of $22,000.

Process and Deadlines for Tuition Assistance Application

October 3, 2022: SSS Parent Portal opens applications for the 2023-2024 school year. Our school code: 148544

Complete the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) through School and Student Service (SSS), a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). Sterne School uses SSS to assess a family's ability to pay for their child's education.

All families must upload their 2021, and when available their 2022, Federal Tax returns to their SSS file. Please include all schedules filed. W-2s and/or 1099s must be uploaded directly to SSS. For families who file for an extension, the Tuition Assistance Committee will make awards contingent upon receipt of these documents.

Returning families: Please complete the PFS and upload 2021 tax documents by January 13th, 2023.
New families: Please complete the PFS by February 10, 2023 with 2021 tax documents uploaded by February 24, 2023.

The SSS Family Portal is full of helpful resources. Here are links to Frequently Asked Questions and the Family Resource Center.

Late Requests
Requests for Tuition Assistance that are filed after the deadlines will be handled on a first-come, first-served basis.

Renewal
We grant Tuition Assistance awards for one year. Parents must complete a PFS each year and send it to SSS in accordance with the annual application deadlines. Unless there is a significant change in annual income or available assets, you can expect the approximate level of assistance to be continued from year to year.

FAQs

What if I cannot afford the application fee for the PFS?
SSS will automatically apply a fee waiver to eligible families based on the information in the PFS.

How is the Required Family Contribution (RFC) calculated?
The RFC is determined through a methodology developed by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), which takes into consideration gross taxable and non-taxable income, assets, liabilities, unusual expenses, family size, and the number of students in tuition-charging schools or colleges. After allowances for basic necessities and taxes, and a cost of living adjustment for the Bay Area, a portion of the remaining funds are considered available for education. The NAIS School & Student Services (SSS) website offers webinars, FAQs, and step-by-step guides that help families understand how tuition assistance awards are calculated.

If only one parent is working, will the student be considered for tuition assistance?
In families where only one parent works outside of the home, the Tuition Assistance Committee will adjust the total household income accordingly. If caring for a young child who is not enrolled in school, an infirm or disabled family member, or other special circumstances, the Tuition Assistance Committee will factor this into the tuition assistance award.

What about divorced or remarried parents?
In divorced/remarried households both parents (including new spouses’ income) are considered in the total income calculation. You may provide court order paperwork explicitly stating that one parent only is responsible for tuition; in these circumstances, we follow the court order.

Does applying for tuition assistance affect chances for admission?
The Admissions Committee makes decisions on a need-blind basis. Students who are deemed strong candidates for our program will be offered admission, space allowing, regardless of their financial need. Some years, however, the collective need of students qualifying for tuition assistance exceeds available resources, and we cannot offer tuition assistance to all families that qualify. In those instances, admitted students will be placed on a Tuition Assistance waiting list.