TUITION AND AFFORDING WILBERFORCE
Why Wilberforce?
Did you know students spend 16,000 hours at school before they graduate? Those 16,000 hours are usually the best hours of a child's day. When choosing a school for your child, the decision you are facing is: where will my child be spending the best hours of their day, and is it worth it?
At Wilberforce, we recognize that those hours are influential and formative. We are intentional about stewarding those 16,000 hours with academic and spiritual formation. The fruit has been outstanding academic results, but most notably joy, deep friendships, and genuine faith.
Please note: due to limited availability of funds, we are not able to provide financial aid to Explorers 1 students.
More than 30% of our families receive need-based tuition scholarships.
Affording Wilberforce
We know that affording tuition is a sacrifice for most families. At Wilberforce, we work hard to bring this unique form of education within reach. Many families at Wilberforce receive need-based tuition assistance ranging-from 10%-90% tuition, depending on demonstrated need.
Many of our families are new to the world of independent schools and never considered a "private school" until they discovered Wilberforce. Sometimes when parents hear the term "tuition assistance" or "financial aid", they think "I make too much money to apply for financial aid" or "I don't want to take money away from those who need it more."
We invite you to learn more about how to bring a Wilberforce education within reach. Please email or call our Admissions Department at (609) 924-6117 to talk about beginning this process. If you are ready to apply, click the link to our financial aid application.
If your family is considering applying for tuition assistance please complete the financial aid application at the same time as your admissions application. All funds are distributed on a first come, first served basis according to need.
The reality is, tuition assistance is a normal part of the process for most families.
Tuition Assistance Process
| Step 1: Complete the FACTS Grant and Aid Application |
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Based on the information parents submit in the FACTS Application, FACTS provides the school with an independent, confidential assessment of a family’s ability to pay for educational expenses. To complete the application online, visit the FACTS website and follow the directions. Wilberforce School zip code: 08540. Applications include supporting tax documents which must be verified before the application is considered complete. |
| Step 2: FACTS Verification |
| FACTS notifies the school when FACTS applications are completed and verified. This can take up to three weeks. |
| Step 3: Financial Aid Decision |
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Wilberforce uses the FACTS assessment, as well as an assessment of the school’s own resources, to make a final decision about the level of financial aid offered by the school. The Wilberforce Business Office will share a tuition determination with the family of an admitted student. We are not able to offer an estimate of financial aid prior to completion of the admissions and financial aid application process. |
| Step 4: Assistance Acceptance |
| Families choose to accept or decline the offered tuition assistance amount. Most funds are awarded to new students by mid March. |