Affording Episcopal
Investing in the unique educational experience Episcopal High School provides is a significant decision for families, and we strive to use our financial aid program to enable students from a wide range of socio-economic backgrounds to attend. We believe enrolling students with diverse perspectives and experiences is vital to our mission of preparing young people with the intellectual and moral courage to pursue lives of ethical leadership and service as citizens of an increasingly connected world.
Examples of Financial Aid Awarded to Qualifying Families in 2025-26
| Gross Family Income | Number of Families | Average Family Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| Under $39,999 | 19 | $905 |
| $40,000-$69,999 | 12 | $2,157 |
| $70,000-$99,999 | 15 | $4,801 |
| $100,000-$149,000 | 26 | $19,107 |
| $150,000-$199,999 | 20 | $21,855 |
| $200,000-$299,000 | 28 | $29,756 |
| Over $300,000 | 22 | $37,768 |
Thirty-five percent of the student body receives financial assistance. The average need-based grant offered to families is $56,143.
Tuition and Fees
| Tuition and Fees |
|---|
| The Comprehensive Fee for the 2025-26 School year is $74,900. This amount includes tuition, room and board, basic health center expenses, and the cost of most school-sponsored academic, athletic, and recreational activities. There are no additional charges for technology, course-related supplies and equipment, outdoor education, local special events, and most weekend activities; all meals provided daily through the dining hall. These expenses, at some schools, could total as much as $3,500 per year. The purchase of course-specific books – and a personal computing device if one is not already owned – will be the largest, and for most students the only, cost not included in tuition. |
| Personal Expenses |
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Personal Expenses associated with attending Episcopal vary from student to student. The following provides an estimate of the major items:
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Financial Aid and Application Deadlines
| Financial Aid |
|---|
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Episcopal seeks applications from talented and motivated students, regardless of family financial resources. Because every family cannot afford this investment, the School makes financial assistance available to help close the gap between the costs of attending EHS and a family’s ability to pay, as determined by the needs methodology used by Clarity. To make the School affordable to more families, Episcopal provides several financial options. EHS is committed to socio-economic diversity, which brings a variety of perspectives and enables students to debate, discover, and expand upon their knowledge of the world. Achieving this greater understanding is critical to preparing students to succeed in all aspects of life. We urge families to apply even if there is concern over the ability to pay tuition. Awards to qualified students are made in the form of grants and are based upon a demonstration of financial need, coupled with a student’s individual merit. In addition to financial aid, two payment schedules are available to accommodate family budgeting and planning needs. While Episcopal High School subscribes to the belief of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) that the primary responsibility for funding the cost of education resides with the family, we also understand that it is becoming increasingly difficult for a large percentage of families to afford independent school tuition. Episcopal urges talented and motivated students to apply for admission, even if there is a concern over the ability to pay tuition, and encourages parents to apply for financial assistance. In 2025-26, approximately 35 percent of the student body will receive financial assistance. Approximately $8.3 million in aid is awarded annually, with the average need-based grant equaling about $56,143. The Financial Aid Committee keeps all financial information confidential. Financial aid is available to students of any race, color, gender, creed, sexual orientation, or national or ethnic origin. |
| Applying for Assistance |
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Episcopal works with Clarity to assess financial need. Clarity offers a secure and streamlined approach to data and tax collection that is available on a computer or mobile device application. Upon completion of Internal Revenue Services Form 4506-C, IVES Request for Transcript of Tax Return, Clarity gains access to the requisite 2023 tax documentation for assessing your application. Visit Clarity to sign up for an account and complete your application. View Clarity's Quick Reference Guide and Clarity's Family Application Guide for more specific details on the application process. Clarity Deadlines for New Applicant Families:Financial Aid application (Clarity) - January 15, 2026 Clarity Deadlines for Returning Student Families:Financial Aid application (Clarity) - December 1, 2025 |
| Grant Determination and Notification |
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The Financial Aid Committee is chaired by the Financial Aid Director and ultimately reports to the Admissions Director. Other members of the committee include the Chief Financial Officer, an Admissions Officer, and at least one member of the teaching faculty. Both returning students and admissions candidates are notified of financial aid decisions in March. The financial aid decision is communicated to parents along with the invitation for enrollment. Parents are required to reply within 30 days. |
| Annual Renewal |
| Tuition grants are made for one year. Families must complete the Clarity application each year in order to be considered for financial aid. Unless there is a significant change in annual income or available assets, parents can normally expect the level of assistance to be continued from year to year. |
Payment Schedule (2025-2026)
An Enrollment Deposit of $7,500 is required when a student enrolls for the year. This amount is credited to the first comprehensive fee installment.
A Contingency Deposit of $600 is required of all new students. This amount is refunded or credited when a student graduates or leaves.
The Comprehensive Fee is payable in either two or six installments. You will be asked to select your preferred payment plan when you return your enrollment contract.
To assist parents with budgeting, Episcopal provides information about an independent loan service at the time of enrollment. Parents may also wish to participate in the Tuition Refund Plan, which ensures payment of the comprehensive fee should the student need to withdraw from Episcopal for any reason during the year.
| Two-Installment Plan |
|---|
| Due on July 25: 75% of the Comprehensive Fee Due on November 25: 25% of the Comprehensive Fee |
| Six-Installment Plan |
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Due on July 25: 30% of the Comprehensive Fee Deposit fees and installments for students receiving financial assistance are adjusted accordingly. |
| Scholarships at EHS |
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Only a small fraction of the U.S. population can afford a boarding school experience. Many, including alumni families, never bother to apply, thinking the Episcopal experience is simply out of reach. In recent years, Episcopal has made affordability a key focus. With more than 100 endowed scholarship funds, Episcopal uses this robust offering to bring the cost of this life-changing experiential education into reach for interested families. |
Frequently Asked Questions
| How long does it take to complete the Clarity Application for Financial Aid? |
|---|
| The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. It is mobile friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return to it at any time. The submission fee is $60. |
| Does a non-custodial parent need to file an application and submit a tax return? |
| Yes. The non-custodial parent is required to complete the Clarity financial aid application. |
| Is it possible for a family with more than $300,000 in income to qualify for financial assistance? |
| Yes. This is very likely if the family is also paying tuition for other children attending educational institutions. |
| How much will I have to contribute? |
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The primary factors that determine a family's contribution are: household income and expenses, assets and indebtedness, and the number of children attending schools and colleges that charge tuition.
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| Are scholarships that are not based on financial need available? |
| Each year between five and 10 merit scholarships are awarded to new students on the basis of academic and extracurricular merit. They range in value from $5,000 - $15,000 and are renewed annually. There is no separate application process, as all applicants are automatically considered and awards are determined by the Admissions Committee. |
| Is financial aid available to international students? |
| In special situations, it is possible for international students to receive financial assistance. However, priority in the funding process is given to United States citizens. |
| Are financial aid recipients limited in the activities that are available to Episcopal students? |
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No. School-sponsored activities are made available to everyone. The vast majority are offered free of charge and financial assistance is available for the few that require a fee. |
| Does applying for financial aid affect my chances for admission? |
| As the collective need of those students applying for financial aid deemed admissible by the Admissions Committee exceeds the financial resources available to new students, applying for financial aid may impact the admission decision. |
Questions about Financial Aid? Contact Us!
Vincent Hodge ’89
Director of Financial Aid, Associate Director of Admissions
703-933-4017
VSH@episcopalhighschool.org
