Tuition & Affordability

Below you’ll find the total cost of a year at Friends, including tuition, fees, books, breakfast and lunch, and all required trips. In an effort to make Friends affordable to all, the School offers financial aid packages toward the total cost of tuition and fees.

Depending on students’ engagement in school life, there may be additional costs beyond tuition for optional experiences, like our global education trips or our after school programming. For families who receive financial aid, we offer support for these costs beyond tuition (see this page for more information).

Payment Plans

Upon enrollment or re-enrollment, we require a non-refundable deposit for new and returning families. For families receiving financial aid, the deposit amount is adjusted for families receiving financial aid for more than 50% of tuition. To ensure families have a variety of ways to manage their balance, Friends offers three payment plans selected upon enrollment: a one-installment plan, a two-installment plan (payments in May and November), and a nine-installment plan (payments between April and December).

1. Visit the Clarity Application.

1. 1. 1. Application deadline:
         1. Returning families: All completed financial aid applications and the $65 fee must be submitted via Clarity by November 1, 2025.
         2. Prospective families: All completed financial aid applications and the $65 fee must be submitted by December 15, 2025.
      2. Fee Waivers: Fee waivers for the financial aid application are determined based on family income and are automatically applied by Clarity for qualifying applicants.
   2. If you need support during the process of completing your financial aid application, Clarity offers in-app support. This is available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at [email protected] or 206-210-3752. Support is available in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.  
   3. Clarity hosts several Application Info Webinars for families. During these live sessions, Clarity will go over some key aspects of the application, things to look out for, materials to gather, how to get help, how the tax verification process works, and a robust Q&A.

At Friends, we include most cost in tuition including breakfast, lunch, snacks, books, and materials. To ensure that all families have access to the full Friends experience, we are committed to offsetting additional costs if and when they arise. See below for information regarding costs beyond tuition.

Lower School

In addition to tuition aid packages, Friends offers…

1. Application fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. Waivers are provided in Ravenna for families indicating they are applying for financial aid. 
2. Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all Friends students. We invite all community members to join us for breakfast in the mornings beginning at 7:30 AM.
3. All course materials, including books and technology for Grades K-8 students. 
4. Extended academic and support services, including testing, evaluations, tutoring, and therapeutic services for students based on their family’s percentage of aid. Division Heads must recommend and approve these services. 
5. Musical instruments that can be loaned or rented for the school year on a case-by-case need basis to students who receive financial aid packages and are enrolled in Friends music classes. 
6. OMNY cards for all students residing in NYC depending on age and distance. 
7. Brooklyn and West Side Bus  transportation is provided by a private bus company in the morning, as long as the minimum number of students subscribe to this service. Financial assistance is available for families who receive financial aid.
8. Free NYC Board of Education bus service for all Grades K-6 students residing in Lower Manhattan or on the Upper East Side. 
9. Friends events (including the Benefit and PA events) at a discounted rate for families receiving financial aid packages or in other situations of financial need. 
10. Early Bird (FREE) (7:45–8:25 AM; Grades K-4)
    Supervised play and breakfast before the school day begins. 
11. Extended Programs at a discounted rate based on a student’s percentage of aid. This includes:
    1. • After Owls (3:10-4:30 PM; Grades K-6)
         A diverse range of after school programming that families may opt-into from once a week to every school day. Students receive a discount based on their percentage of financial aid (up to 75%) on the base rate cost; there is no base rate cost for students who receive more than 89% financial aid. Some After Owls programming may include workshop fees that are ineligible for financial aid discounts. 
       • Extended Day (4:30–5:30 PM; Grades K-6)
         Extended Day offers an additional hour of supervision and a nutritious snack once After Owls programming concludes. Students in Grades K-2 have free play, quiet games, or crafts & art activities. Students in Grades 3-6 receive homework support and organizational guidance or may independently read. Students receive a discount based on their percentage of financial aid on the base rate cost; there is no base rate cost for students who receive more than 89% financial aid. 
       • Childcare during select on-campus meetings free of charge for all families with a currently enrolled student.

Middle School

In addition to tuition aid packages, Friends offers…

1. Application fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. Waivers are provided in Ravenna for families indicating they are applying for financial aid. 
2. Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all Friends students. We invite all community members to join us for breakfast in the mornings beginning at 7:30 AM.
3. All course materials, including books and Chromebooks for Grade 5-8 students. 
4. Faculty assistance, peer tutoring, and independent study for all Grade 7-12 students for no additional cost in the Chapman Academic Center (7:30 AM-4:30 PM). 
5. Extended academic and support services, including testing, evaluations, tutoring, and therapeutic services for students based on their family’s percentage of aid. Division Heads must recommend and approve these services. 
6. Athletic Equipment for team sports, including uniforms and required equipment, at no charge.
7. Musical instruments that can be loaned or rented for the school year on a case-by-case need basis to students who receive financial aid packages and are enrolled in Friends music classes. 
8. OMNY cards for all students residing in NYC depending on age and distance. 
9. Brooklyn and West Side Bus  transportation is provided by a private bus company in the morning, as long as the minimum number of students subscribe to this service. Financial assistance is available for families who receive financial aid.
10. Free NYC Board of Education bus service for all Grades K-6 students residing in Lower Manhattan or on the Upper East Side. 
11. Friends events (including the Benefit and PA events) at a discounted rate for families receiving financial aid or in other situations of financial need.
12. Extended Programs at a discounted rate based on a student’s percentage of aid. This includes:
    1. After Owls (3:10-4:30 PM; Grades K-6)
       A diverse range of after school programming that families may opt-into from once a week to every school day. Students receive a discount based on their percentage of financial aid (up to 75%) on the base rate cost; there is no base rate cost for students who receive more than 89% financial aid. Some After Owls programming may include workshop fees that are ineligible for financial aid discounts. 
    2. Extended Day (4:30–5:30 PM; Grades K-6)
       Extended Day offers an additional hour of supervision and a nutritious snack once After Owls programming concludes. Students in Grades K-2 have free play, quiet games, or crafts & art activities. Students in Grades 3-6 receive homework support and organizational guidance or may independently read. Students receive a discount based on their percentage of financial aid on the base rate cost; there is no base rate cost for students who receive more than 89% financial aid. 
    3. Childcare during selected on-campus meetings free of charge for all families with a currently enrolled student.

Upper School

In addition to tuition aid packages, Friends offers…

1. Application fee waivers for students who demonstrate financial need. Waivers are provided in Ravenna for families indicating they are applying for financial aid. 
2. Free breakfast, lunch, and snacks to all Friends students. We invite all community members to join us for breakfast in the mornings beginning at 7:30 AM.
3. All course materials, including books and calculators for Grades 9-12 students. 
4. One-time reimbursement for a laptop purchase for students who are new to the Upper School and receive financial aid packages. All laptop purchases must meet the school’s technology requirements (Please contact the Technology Department). Reimbursement amounts depend on a student’s percentage of aid. 
5. Faculty assistance, peer tutoring, and independent study for all Grade 7-12 students for no additional cost in the Chapman Academic Center (7:30am-4:30pm). 
6. Extended academic and support services, including testing, evaluations, tutoring, and therapeutic services for students based on their family’s percentage of aid. Division Heads must recommend and approve these services. 
7. Brooklyn and West Side Bus  transportation is provided by a private bus company in the morning, as long as the minimum number of students subscribe to this service. Financial assistance is available for families who receive financial aid.
8. Athletic Equipment for team sports, including uniforms and required equipment, at no charge. Aid is available to students who demonstrate financial need for required equipment beyond uniforms on Varsity and Junior Varsity teams. 
9. Musical instruments that can be loaned or rented for the school year on a case-by-case need basis to students who receive financial aid packages and are enrolled in Friends music classes. 
10. OMNY cards for all students residing in NYC depending on age and distance. 
11. School trips discounts at 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 packages. This aid can be applied to all music trips, sports trips and/or camps, and Global Education trips (one international and one domestic trip in a student’s career). 
12. College Board/ACT exam fee assistance and waivers for students who meet the federal guidelines. 
13. Discounted ACT or SAT one-on-one tutoring for Grade 11 students.
14. School-organized college tour, traditionally hosted during spring break by the College Counseling Office. A discount on the total cost of the trip is available based on a student's percentage of aid (up to 75%) for one tour during the student’s career at Friends. Additional financial support may be available through the tour company. 
15. Friends events (including the Benefit and PA events) at a discounted rate for families receiving financial aid packages or in other situations of financial need.

The Endowment for the Education of Quaker Students

In 2012, the Friends Seminary School Committee established a fund to ensure that children of Quaker families admitted to the School are supported financially so that they may benefit from an education at Friends Seminary.

The Gilmore Fund for Quakers

This fund provides financial aid for Quaker students.

The Friends Council on Education’s National Endowment for Quaker Children Fund

The National Friends Education Fund (NFEF), administered by Friends Council on Education, provides tuition aid to support Quaker children in Friends schools across the country. The fund aims to increase the ability of Quaker families to afford to send their children to Friends schools. Friends schools value the presence and active participation of their Quaker families; and Quaker families, likewise, value the institutional missions and commitments of Friends schools. For this reason, Friends Council on Education joins the efforts of families, schools, and Monthly Meetings to provide tuition assistance for Quaker families who demonstrate need.

For Friends schools beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting Area, grants are available to children, grades K-12, of members of Monthly Meetings beyond the Philadelphia Yearly Meeting area and who are new to the school or have previously received a NEQC Pilot Program award. Families must meet financial need standards as determined by the school and at least one parent of a prospective student has been a member of a Monthly Meeting for a full year prior to the supported year.

FCE guidelines and application

*Please note, individual Meetings may have their own education funds in addition to the ones listed above, so inquire about further support from your Meeting.

Anyone who cannot afford to pay full tuition should apply for financial aid. All financial aid packages are based on a family’s financial need; we do not offer merit-based scholarships. Over 20% of our student body receives a financial aid package to offset the cost of tuition. Financial aid packages range from 5% to 99% of the school’s tuition.

The financial aid application process is personalized and confidential. We consider a family’s size, their circumstances, and we strive to meet the needs of as many families as possible. We expect that all families applying for aid will be forthcoming with their financial information as we seek to understand individual profiles.

Financial aid packages are shared in the re-enrollment contracts and simultaneously with admissions decisions.

Yes, all families must complete a financial aid application and submit requested financial documents every year that they apply for financial aid. Additionally, all tuition balances and other school accounts must be paid in full before a family can be considered for a financial aid package.

Each year, tuition increases happen for most families. Families receiving aid can expect continued financial support in line with their demonstrated need. If a family experiences significant financial changes, for better or worse, in any given year, tuition awards will be adjusted accordingly.

Friends aims to include most costs of attending school in tuition but sometimes additional expenses, for experiences such as events, trips, or activity fees, arise. Families receiving financial aid may also qualify for support for these costs beyond tuition. Please see the Costs Beyond Tuition pages for more details.

Before enrolling at Friends, we encourage families to carefully assess their capacity to afford the long-term educational experience of attending an independent school. If initially accepted without, or not currently receiving, a financial aid package, a family should not expect to receive financial aid at Friends. After enrolling at Friends without financial aid, a family may not be considered for a financial aid award for at least three years barring an unusual or unforseen circumstance.

We invite all families who are applying for financial aid to attend the Affording Friends (Recording), Thursday, November 20, 2025 (6-7 pm). Join us to learn more about our financial aid process. (Register first through Ravenna and then with Zoom.)

Questions about Financial Aid & Affordability or Costs Beyond Tuition:

Sam Margles, Director of Financial Aid and Affordability
[email protected]
646.979.5043

Questions about Payment Plans and Tuition Amounts Due:

Erica Oterson, Student Billing
[email protected]
646.979.5075

Questions about Navigating the Contract or Re-Enrollment:

Crystal Scott, Admissions Operations Manager
[email protected]
646.979.5041

Questions about Clarity:

Contact Clarity’s support team at 206-210-3752 or [email protected].
Support and the application itself are available in English and Spanish.