Financial aid awards at GDS are in the form of grants that require no repayment. During the 2024-25 school year, financial aid awards range from $500 to full tuition, with the average award at approximately $36,400. Although the school does not offer loans to families, for a nominal fee, parents may spread their tuition payments throughout the academic year.

GDS allocates significant resources to our financial aid program to ensure that families from diverse socioeconomic backgrounds can access our unique program. 

We understand that tuition is not the only barrier for families—there are additional costs associated with various student programs. Our financial aid program directly supports families to cover two areas: (1) tuition assistance and (2) additional expenses that may arise, including those related to school-recommended tutoring and educational evaluation, after-school programming, out-of-school camps, and school transportation.

Several years ago, GDS launched the Equity Fund to address gaps in our financial aid program to ensure equitable access to the complete GDS experience for all High School students. The Equity Fund supplements our existing financial aid program in the following areas: Technology (i.e., personal devices), College Counseling (i.e., testing and application costs), Athletics (i.e., equipment and uniforms), and High School trips.

While the Equity Fund is designed to support families in our existing financial aid program, we will also consider supplementing costs in the categories above on a case-by-case basis for families not currently receiving financial aid but facing hardship due to additional program costs. For more information, please contact Chris Levy, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid.

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@claritytuition.com or 206-210-3752 in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

Our financial aid awards are based solely on demonstrated need, which we define as the difference between the cost of a year’s tuition and what a family can realistically afford to pay towards that cost. Because the purpose of our financial aid program is to provide equitable access and support socioeconomic diversity, GDS does not provide non-need-based scholarships based on academic qualifications, athletics, or any other considerations.

The Clarity assessment takes into account factors such as income, assets, liabilities, family size, and living costs. Once the Clarity assessment is complete, the financial aid committee, composed of the Director of Enrollment Management & Financial Aid, Head of School, and Chief Financial Officer, then determine the level of demonstrated need that will be met with financial aid funding.

The admissions committee makes its initial decisions without regard to financial need. However, because the school has limited resources, the admissions committee may ultimately have to make difficult decisions about the number of financial aid applicants who can be accepted within the limits of the budget.

Yes. GDS assumes that you will seek financial assistance from each of the schools your children attend, including pre-school and college.

In general, yes. Although circumstances may differ from one family to the next, the addition of another adult often alters a family’s financial circumstances. Like most independent schools, GDS considers total family resources in its financial aid calculations.

GDS is committed to its enrolled families. Although financial aid funds are limited, the School will do what it can to help families who experience unforeseen financial hardship.