Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition & Fees

Application Fee

Early Education-12th: $125
International Applicants: $350

Tuition

View the 2020-2021 Tuition and Fees schedule.

The first payment for the 2019-2020 school year is due on July 1, 2020 (updated date due to the current quarantine situation).

Tuition Payment Options

Upon the approval and acceptance of an enrollment contract, a non-refundable advance tuition payment of $2,500 is due. This advance will be applied to your first month's payment. Parents may select a one-pay, two-pay, or ten-pay payment plan, please refer to the Tuition and Fees Schedule on the contract for specific payment dates. Two-pay and ten-pay options require a mandatory payment plan and tuition insurance premium. Details and more information may be obtained from the Admissions Office.

Financial Aid

Pilgrim School is committed to making a Pilgrim School education accessible to students from diverse economic and ethnic backgrounds. In order to accomplish this goal, Pilgrim School offers a financial aid program and three payment plans designed to assist families meet their payment obligations. The Governing Board of the School determines tuitions in January of each year and endeavors to set the tuition at a reasonable level to cover the anticipated expenses for the following school year.

Applying for Financial Aid

Parents should complete and submit applications online beginning December 1, 2020 through the School & Student Services by NAIS website using the Pilgrim School code: 5782. Applications should be completed no later than January 15, 2021, although late applications will be considered if financial aid funds are still available.

In addition, the following documents are required:

Copies of the federal tax return for the last two years (2019 and 2020) including form 1040 and all supporting schedules filed with tax return (for example; Schedule A - Itemized Deductions, Schedule B - Interest and Dividend Income, Schedule C – Profit/ Loss from Business, etc.)
Forms W-2
Signed IRS Form 4506-T.

Please note that these forms may be uploaded with the PFS through the SSS website or submitted directly to the business office no later than January 15, 2021. If the 2020 federal tax return has not been filed by February 15, 2021, please submit a copy when filed but not later than February 28, 2021. Pilgrim School reserves the right to deny a financial aid award if tax returns are not submitted. Please also note that financial aid applications are considered when all required documents are received, tax return copies and attachments may delay processing of application.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 11 frequently asked questions.

What does a Pilgrim School education cost?

Tuition for the current academic year is listed above. Please note that there are also customary fees including: Enrollment fees, parent association fees, grade fees, and optional payment plan fees. Additional out of pocket expenses include overnight trips, sports, school uniforms, and lunch. Parents are requested to contribute to the annual fund, which covers the gap between the amount raised by tuition, including fees and the actual expenses of the school.
Are there any grades not eligible for financial aid?

Yes. Our grades in the Early Education Program (Toddler, Preschool, and Junior Kindergarten) and Kindergarten are not eligible for financial aid.
What is financial aid?

As a result of generous donations to the school, a portion of the operating budget is set aside each year for financial aid to help parents who might find the cost of a Pilgrim education beyond their reach. These funds are offered to admitted applicants or returning students when need is determined. Pilgrim does not offer loans.
Will I qualify for assistance?

Each family situation is reviewed carefully and an individual decision is made based on all available information. Therefore, it is very difficult to offer general guidelines by which you can determine your own eligibility. For further information or to discuss particular circumstances, please contact Pilgrim School at 213-355-5213. The school provides tuition assistance to as many qualifying families as possible.
What factors are considered?

All Pilgrim School financial aid awards are based strictly on demonstrated need. Priority is given to current families. No awards are given to Early Education students, including Kindergarten students. Although family income level is an important consideration, many other factors enter into the decisionmaking process, including the number of children in the family, number of children attending schools for which tuition is paid, other family dependents, assets and liabilities, and unusual expenses or circumstances.
What if I am separated or divorced? What if I have remarried?

Both custodial and non-custodial parents are expected to complete separate Parents’ Financial Statements (PFS). While recognizing that divorce may create challenging situations, it is expected that all available family resources will be committed to a child’s education, from both the custodial and noncustodial parents. The school will also consider resources of a step-parent in making an award determination. However, unique or unusual circumstances will be considered.
What is the size of a typical award?

There is no “typical” award. Awards range from $1,000 to an amount close to covering a full tuition. Pilgrim School must exercise caution to ensure that it does not commit an unreasonably large portion of limited resources to a single family.
To what extent will I be expected to use my own resources?

Many families seek assistance through the financial aid program each year. The school’s resources are limited and we therefore expect that each family will use their financial resources to the maximum extent possible. We understand that this may involve some degree of sacrifice and ask that you give careful thought to the maximum amount of tuition which you can reasonably pay considering your own resources and those of your extended family, when available.
Must I reapply each year for assistance?

Yes. Financial circumstances may change from year to year, and in order to allocate our limited resources wisely, it will be necessary to reapply each year for assistance. Many families keep copies of their completed PFS forms for reference the following year.
Will my records be confidential?

Yes. All materials and documentation submitted with the financial aid application are held in the strictest confidence.
Will my application for financial assistance affect my child’s chances for admission?

No. Admissions decisions are made without regard to a family’s financial circumstances.

Additional Programs

List of 2 items.

Before and After School Care

For the convenience of our parents, before and after-school care between the hours of 7:00 - 8:00 am and 2:30 - 4:00 pm is provided free of charge. Families may elect to pay an additional flat fee to have extended care from 4:00-6:00 p.m. for the entire school year. Detailed information on Before & After Supervision programs is available in the School Office.
After School Programs

A variety of after school enrichment programs, offered in three eight-week sessions, have fees ranging from $100 to $200 per class, due to the school in advance for each after school class. There will be no refunds after the first class. Classes are closed when maximum enrollment numbers are met.