GDS financial aid awards are based solely on need, which is defined as the difference between the actual cost of a year’s tuition and what a family can realistically expect to pay toward that cost. GDS does not offer academic, athletic, or other non-need-based scholarships. TADS processes the information you provide on the parents’ financial statement to determine what you can afford to pay for your child’s education. TADS balances income, assets, liabilities, family size, and the number of children you have in schools that charge tuition against taxes and living costs in making its recommendation. GDS uses the TADS recommendation as a guide to determine the School’s award and your family’s contribution.

Our commitment to admitting qualified students regardless of a family’s economic circumstances means that the Admissions Committee makes its initial decisions without awareness of an applicant’s financial need. Ultimately, our financial aid resources, while generous, are limited—the Financial Aid Committee must make financial aid decisions within the limits of the budget, and the Admissions Committee must then assess final decisions that do take into account our available financial aid resources.

For new students, financial aid awards are mailed along with admissions decisions in March. For current students and new current student financial aid applicants whose school accounts are in good standing, awards are mailed in early February.

Yes. Because your financial circumstances may change, you must reapply for aid each year. If there is no significant change in your circumstances, you can expect to receive approximately the same level of support (adjusted for tuition increases) from year to year. Returning families who either currently receive aid from the School or are applying for aid for the first time must submit financial aid applications in December.

No. Georgetown Day School believes that each student's primary responsibility is to attend school. Financial aid recipients are not required to work. GDS expects all of its students to do their best at all times, both inside and outside of the classroom.

Awards are made by the Financial Aid Committee, which consists of three members of the senior administrative staff: the Head of School, the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, and the Director of Finance and Operations.

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.

No. GDS assumes that each parent will continue to earn income and contribute to his or her child’s education, even while attending graduate school.

GDS is committed to its families. Although financial aid funds are limited, the School will do what it can to help families in need.