Tuition Assistance
Cincinnati Country Day School’s tuition assistance programs are intended to maintain the cultural and economic diversity of the student body and to provide opportunities to students who might not otherwise be able to meet the full cost of a CCDS education. The need for tuition assistance should never discourage a family from applying to CCDS. Students are admitted on the basis of their academic and personal qualifications. Requests for tuition assistance are considered independently of the admission process. There are two kinds of tuition assistance programs – merit-based and need-based. The portion of the tuition for which the family is responsible is determined by the academic ability of the student or family need.
Merit-Based Assistance
Merit-based assistance is awarded to prospective 6th – 12th grade students. First priority is given to 9th grade students based on the basis of academic ability as demonstrated in their prior academic record, school activities, and performance on the Independent School Entrance Examination (ISEE) or equivalent standardized test.
Prospective 6th-12th grade students interested in merit-based assistance must complete the following steps:
- By March 15, submit the application for admission and all supporting documentation to the CCDS Admission Office.
- By March 15, take the ISEE or equivalent standardized test and send the results to the CCDS Admission Office.
- By May 1, send a signed copy of the merit-based assistance acceptance form to the CCDS Admission Office along with the enrollment contract and deposit.
Prospective students will be notified of merit-based awards shortly after the offer of admission to CCDS. Merit-based assistance offers will be made on a rolling basis. These merit-based awards are for one year only and cannot be combined with need-based awards. Merit-based awards range from $1,000 to $5,000.
Need-Based Assistance
Need-based tuition assistance is available to families of currently enrolled or newly accepted students in grades Kindergarten – 12 who demonstrate need. A family’s need depends on many variables, such as family income, number of dependents, age of parents, other tuition expenses, unusual medical expenses, taxes, assets, liabilities, etc.
Need-based award amounts range from $1,000 to $17,500 as documented need warrants and funds permit. Every family is required to invest something toward their child’s education. When new applications for aid exceed the availability of funds, it is sometimes necessary for students to be placed on a waiting list for aid.
Need-based tuition assistance is awarded annually provided that the family continues to demonstrate financial need and the student’s record is satisfactory. Therefore, families of returning students must reapply for tuition assistance each year. The family may expect that a student’s tuition assistance award will be consistent from year to year, assuming that the student’s record is satisfactory and the family’s financial circumstances do not change.
Prospective students who are interested in need-based tuition assistance must complete the following steps:
- By February 1, mail the Parents Financial Statement (PFS) directly to the School and Student Services for Financial Aid (SSS).
- After March 15, the notification of tuition assistance will be mailed to all parents/guardians who have completed the above step and whose child has been admitted to CCDS. Any award will be contingent upon receipt of the signed Federal Income Tax Return. Parents/guardians must also sign and return the student’s enrollment contract.
- By April 15, send a signed copy of your Federal Income Tax Return with all applicable schedules and your Tuition Assistance Notification Form directly to the CCDS Admission Office. If the parents/guardians have filed for an extension, they must notify the CCDS Admission Office of the extension in writing by April 15.
When new applications for aid exceed the availability of funds, it is sometimes necessary for prospective students to be placed on a waiting list for need-based assistance.
CCDS reserves the right to request additional information before making tuition assistance awards. Awards may also be adjusted when tax documents and other records are different from the information submitted on the PFS.
