Affording Oldfields

All families are encouraged to apply for financial assistance, but only students with a demonstrated financial need will receive an award. We recognized that an Oldfields education is a sacrifice, but hope to make it a sustainable investment. Any family who is interested in applying for financial aid must apply through CLARITY to be considered for a financial aid award.

Families should apply for assistance through CLARITY. 

• The application will open on December 1.

• All returning families seeking assistance must complete an application and upload required tax documents by February 1. 

• New families should apply within two weeks of submitting their admissions application.

All families with a demonstrated need receive an award, with the goal of making an Oldfields education a feasible expense; however due to our size awards rarely exceed 75% of the comprehensive fee.

Families may appeal their award.  As part of the appeal they will have to provide additional information that demonstrates a clear need (e.g. recent loss of employment, extraordinary medical expenses). If you would like to be reconsidered, please submit a letter of appeal within 30 days of your original contract receipt to Admission@OldfieldsSchool.org.  You cannot appeal your award once you have signed the tuition agreement.

Oldfields School uses a 3rd party processor, CLARITY, to collect information and to determine an applicant’s demonstrated need. The Financial Aid Committee reviews all completed applications and determines the financial aid award for each student based on family income and non-discretionary expenses. Oldfields School is committed to making an Oldfields education a manageable sacrifice for all accepted and returning students.

All parents/guardians and any spouse of a parent/guardian must complete an application and provide required documents. Parents and legal guardians have the primary responsibility to finance the education of his/her child, to the extent they are able. Therefore, we require a completed application and documentation from each parent/guardian , as well as any spouse of the parent/guardian. Each household (separate physical address) must submit a separate application. In the event  a parent/guardian is no longer financially responsible for his/her child documentation must be provided, and the school may waive the application requirement for that parent/guardian.

Oldfields School requires that all applicants complete a financial aid application and provide all supporting documentation. These items must be submitted by their assigned deadlines. Awards are evaluated annually by the Financial Aid Committee and based on the most recent year’s financial information. When determining awards for returning students, the Financial Aid Committee will be mindful of the prior years award and changes in finances.

Often parents with substantial business income will be asked to provide additional information.

Fee waivers are not available through the school, but maybe available from CLARITY

If more than one child in a family attends a tuition-charging institution, it is expected that the family will apply for financial assistance at each of the institutions their children attend. Please be sure to include all children and educational expenses in the designated section of the application.

When you have children in college, the model will take that into consideration. Colleges/universities, however, do not normally take into consideration tuition at independent schools.

Financial aid decisions are issued concurrently with enrollment contracts.

All financial information submitted in support of a financial aid application is held in strict confidence. 

For technical assistance please contact Clarity support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752. If you have questions about the admission or financial aid process, please reach out to Oldfields’ admission team at admissions@oldfieldsschool.org.