Support For Costs Beyond Tuition

Bearing the cost of a transformational education includes expenses beyond tuition. Here at Friends Seminary, we understand this reality and are committed to helping our Friends families offset these expenses. All students, regardless of their economic background, will have complete access to the Friends Seminary experience.

ADMISSIONS

We provide…

Application Fee Waivers: for students in placement programs. for students who demonstrate financial need, and for students applying to attrition grades. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
Reduced ISEE and SSAT Testing Fees: for Grades 5-11 students with qualifying incomes on a first-come, first-served basis. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.

ACADEMIC AND SOCIO-EMOTIONAL SUPPORT

We provide…

Required Testing and Evaluation: for students at their percentage of financial aid award with a Division Head referral. Refer questions to the Division Offices.
Tutoring and Remediation: for students at their percentage of financial aid (up to $200 per week) when this support is recommended and approved by their Division Head. Refer questions to the Division Offices.
Chapman Academic Center: faculty assistance, peer tutoring, and independent study for all students Grades 7-12 (daily, 7:45am-4:30pm). Refer questions to the Division Offices.

PROGRAM SUPPORT

We provide…

Books: for all students in Grades K-8. For students who receive 90% or more financial aid in Grades 9-12, books are free of charge. We also provide assistance toward their other required academic resources (like calculators or Apps required for classes). Refer questions to the Upper School Office.
iPads: free of charge for all students. Refer questions to Tech Support and Division Heads.
Athletic Uniforms: for Friends sports teams. For students on Varsity and Junior Varsity teams who demonstrate financial need, aid is available for required equipment beyond uniforms. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
Musical Instruments: that can be loaned or rented for the school year on a case-by-case basis to students with demonstrated financial need. Any unexpected maintenance and tuning are covered at their percentage of financial aid. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.

TRANSPORTATION

We provide…

Full Fare MetroCards: for all students residing in NYC depending on age and distance. Refer questions to the Upper School Office.
NYC Board of Education Provides Free Yellow School Buses: for all Grades K-6 students residing in Lower Manhattan or on the Upper East Side. Refer questions to the Lower School Office.
Independent West Side Buses: (AM Only) for students residing on the West Side. Fee required; no discount. Refer questions to the Admissions Office.

MEALS

We provide…

Free Breakfast: for all in the Friends community.
Lunch: (a required fee) for all K-8 students. The lunch plan is an optional fee for Upper School students, and discounted plans are available for students who receive financial aid. (25% off the annual lunch plan cost for those who receive 50-90% financial aid. 50% off the annual lunch plan cost for those who receive 90% or more financial aid.) Daily lunch tickets can be purchased on an as-needed basis from the Upper School Office and the Business Office. Financial aid discount does not apply to lunch tickets. Refer questions to the Business Office.

SCHOOL TRIPS

We provide…

for Music Trips, a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost of the trip (transportation, food, fees, and lodging, if applicable) for students who receive financial aid. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
for Athletic Related Travel and Camps, a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost of the trip (transportation, food, fees, and lodging, if applicable) for students who receive financial aid. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
for Global Education Immersion Trips, a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost of the trip (transportation, food, fees, and lodging) for students who receive financial aid. We offer this package for one international and one domestic immersion experience trip during a student's career at Friends. Students who receive financial aid are welcome to apply to other immersion experience trips, but aid for additional trips will be determined on a case-by-case basis. Students who do not receive financial aid but demonstrate financial need can also request financial support for these trips. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
for School Sponsored Student Activity Trips, a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost of the trip (transportation, food, fees, and lodging, if applicable) for students who receive financial aid. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.

COLLEGE PREP

We provide…

College Board (SAT) and ACT Fee Assistance and Waivers to students who meet the federal guidelines. Refer questions to College Counseling Office.
Individualized SAT or ACT tutoring at a reduced rate for Grade 11 students who receive financial aid. Zinc Educational Services will offer 15 one-on-one tutoring sessions (90 minutes each) at a reduced rate, and students will receive a further discount based on their percentage of financial aid (up to 90%).Refer questions to College Counseling Office.
College Tours at a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost of one college tour (transportation, food, fees, lodging included, if applicable) for students receving financial aid. Students who receive financial aid can apply for aid for other college tours on a case-by-case basis, but this aid package is only guaranteed for one college tour. Refer questions to College Counseling Office.

SPECIAL EVENTS

We provide…

School Fundraiser Tickets at a discounted rate for families receiving financial aid or in other situations of financial need. Refer questions to the Advancement Office.
Friends After Three (F.A.T.) Special Events at their percentage of financial aid (up to 75%) for K-8 students who receive financial aid. Refer questions to Extended Programs Office.
Parents Association Events at a discounted rate for families receiving financial aid or in other situations of financial need. Refer questions to the Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.

EXTENDED PROGRAMS

We provide…

Early Bird Programming (7:45-8:25 AM) at a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the total cost for K-4 students receiving financial aid. There is no charge for students (a) receiving more than 90% financial aid; (b) who take the Yellow Bus or West Side Bus; (c) whose parents are attending pre-authorized Parents Association meetings. Refer questions to the Extended Programs Office.
Friends After Three (F.A.T., 3:10-4:30pm) and Extended Day Programming (4:30-5:30pm) at a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) on the daily fees. For students who receive 90% or more financial aid, the daily fees are waived. Activity and class fees are excluded from the discount. Refer questions to Extended Programs Office.
Homework Help for Grade K-4 students. Those on financial aid receive the program free of charge. Refer questions to the Extended Programs Office.
Summer Friends: (June Camp) at a percentage of aid discount (up to 75%) for K-8 students who receiving financial aid. Some exclusions may apply. Refer questions to the Extended Programs Office.
Childcare during Parent Meetings free of charge for all families with a currently enrolled student.

For more information please contact:
Paige Sweet, Director of Financial Aid and Affordability.
Phone: 646.979.5043