
Tuition and Financial Assistance
We want Belmont to be an affordable opportunity for your child
We recognize and understand the importance of making a Belmont Day education affordable to families. Belmont Day is committed to providing the opportunity of an independent school education to qualified children, regardless of their families’ financial circumstances. It is our goal that any child who has been accepted at Belmont Day will be able to attend. Our families reside in 30 surrounding towns and cities. Our financial assistance awards range from 5% of costs covered to 99% of tuition costs covered. Close to 21% of our student body receives some form of financial assistance.
We offer financial assistance based on need
Financial assistance is entirely need-based, and awards are based solely on a family’s ability to pay. Financial assistance awards do not need to be repaid. Belmont Day School subscribes to the guidelines of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) School and Student Services (SSS) in computing financial need. Financial assistance awards include the costs for:
- School provided lunch for grades 1 to 8
- One-to-one technology, dependent upon the student grade level
- All books and materials, including required binders, paper, pencil cases, and writing utensils
- Uniforms for athletics teams for middle school students
The percentage of financial assistance that a family receives towards tuition costs will also be applied to the following programs:
- After School Program
- After school enrichment classes
- Bus transportation fees
- Class trips for middle school students (there is no cost for lower school field labs)
For example, if a family receives a financial assistance award that accounts for 50% of the tuition costs, then 50% would be applied to the cost of After School, bus transportation fees, and enrichment classes if that family chooses to participate in those programs. The family contribution would be the remaining 50% of these optional program costs.
Here is a look at the 2022-2023 financial assistance awards by family income range*:
*We utilize the School and Student Services (SSS) financial assistance application. The application consists of the Parent Financial Statement (PSF) and the current and prior year tax documents. The PFS is thorough and requests information such as a family’s assets, debts, taxable and nontaxable income, etc. All components of the application have an impact on the final financial assistance award that a family receives.
Family Total Income Range | Percent of Total Financial Assistance Packages Awarded | Average Family Contribution Amount |
< $89,000 | 21% | $2,853 |
$90,000 – $159,000 | 24% | $5,628 |
$160,000 – $190,000 + | 55% | $23,238 |
Academic Year Tuition 2023-24
Belmont Day uses a banded model for tuition rates. We have tuition bands at pre-kindergarten and kindergarten, first and second grade, third through fifth grade, and sixth through eighth grade.
Pre-kindergarten | $37,250 |
Kindergarten | $37,250 |
Grade 1 | $40,550 |
Grade 2 | $40,550 |
Grade 3 | $44,270 |
Grade 4 | $44,270 |
Grade 5 | $44,270 |
Grade 6 | $49,310 |
Grade 7 | $49,310 |
Grade 8 | $49,310 |
Financing a Belmont Day Education
Tuition Schedules and Payment Plans
Many parents seek out independent schools because they understand the advantages of small classes, excellent teaching, a depth of offerings, and a strong sense of community. We recognize and understand the importance of making a Belmont Day education affordable to families. The following information outlines payment schedules, financing options, and financial assistance made possible by the school.
Belmont Day is committed to providing the opportunity of an independent school education to families, regardless of their financial circumstances. It is our goal that any child who has been accepted to the school will be able to attend.
General Tuition Payment Schedule
Once a child has been accepted or is re-enrolled for the next academic year, a $2,000 reservation deposit is required to reserve a place in a class. This deposit will be applied to the second tuition payment due January 15.
School Tuition
Tuition for the school year will be billed as follows: 60% of the tuition is due on or before July 1, with the remaining 40% of tuition (less the reservation deposit) due on or before January 15. Payment for tuition may be made by cash or check.
After School Tuition
Tuition for the After School program is payable in full at the time of enrollment. These programs are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Payment Plans
Tuition Ten Payment Plan
Ten payment plan payments for tuition are due on the first of each month starting in May of each year. For those who will pay tuition via the autopay feature, the first payments will be withdrawn from bank or credit card accounts on the first of the month, or the first bank business day thereafter if the first falls on a weekend or holiday.
Single Payment Plan
The first invoice for tuition is made available in June with payment due on July 1.
Two Payment Plan
The first invoice for tuition is made available in June with payment due on July 1 each year. The second invoice for tuition is made available in December with payment due on the subsequent January 15 each year.
Tuition Refund Insurance
Regardless of the payment plan, those who elect tuition refund insurance will see the premium charge on the first invoice. Learn more about Tuition Refund Insurance.
Service Fees
For those who elect the Two Payment Plan or Ten Payment plan, there is a plan service fee. For those plans, the charge appears on the first tuition invoice.
Incidental Fees
During the course of the school year, fees are billed for field trips, the After School program and enrichment classes, and bus transportation. For those who pay via autopay, the payments will be withdrawn from a bank or credit card account on the due date of the incidental invoice. Parents may also initiate online payments via the Parent Portal.
Credit Card Convenience Fees
For payments made by credit card, a convenience fee is charged by the credit card processor and added to your payment. Payments made via ACH through a bank checking or savings account do not incur charges.
Financial Assistance
Financial assistance is entirely need-based; awards are based solely on a family’s ability to pay. All financial assistance grants are awards that do not need to be repaid. Belmont Day subscribes to the guidelines of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) School and Student Services (SSS) in computing financial need.
Financial Assistance
In recognition of the sacrifices families make for their children to have an independent school education, Belmont Day offers financial assistance awards to bridge the gap between the cost of tuition and a family’s ability to pay.
We partner with School and Student Services (SSS) in our financial assistance application program and we encourage you to explore the process by visiting the SSS website. You will find helpful information including webinars and videos that will help you navigate the application process and completion of the Parents Financial Statement (PFS), the online application form.
Important Things to Know Before Applying
Families are expected to consider all their resources including external ones such as relatives, scholarships, etc. before seeking financial assistance. This allows us to prioritize families that do not have those extended networks and financial supports.
Parents must regard paying tuition as a priority, and both parents are expected to contribute to their children’s tuition through full employment and other income sources.
In families where one parent is not working outside of the home, we ask for a written explanation of their employment status. Belmont Day’s financial assistance budget will not be used to subsidize choices made by parents seeking graduate studies, business ventures, or opting to not work when dependents are school-aged.
If granted admission, families of students receiving financial assistance must submit a new application every year.
Applying for Financial Assistance
Prospective families must submit their PFS by January 30, 2023.
Current Belmont Day families that are newly applying for assistance must notify the director of financial assistance of their intent to apply by November 14, 2022. Current Belmont Day families who are newly applying or reapplying for financial assistance must complete their application by December 14, 2022.
Financial Assistance FAQs
Who needs to complete the financial assistance application?
Belmont Day expects both of the child’s parents to contribute to educational costs, regardless of a parent’s willingness to pay. The custodial parent (and spouse) and the non-custodial parent (and spouse) must both submit a Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and all tax forms as stated in the School and Student Services (SSS) instructions. If the whereabouts of the non-custodial parent are unknown, contact the director of financial assistance for further instructions on completing your application.
How are financial assistance awards calculated?
Belmont Day uses School and Student Services (SSS) to process our financial assistance applications. SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) and is used by most independent schools to calculate need. Based on the financial information you provide through the Parent Financial Statement, SSS provides an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses. Among other things, SSS takes into account:
- Income of both parents (and any additional spouses)
- Family assets
- Age of both parents
- Number of dependents
- Number of children in tuition-charging schools
Belmont Day uses this estimated family contribution as a starting point and then makes additional adjustments based on a family’s specific circumstances. All financial assistance decisions are made by a committee to ensure consistency and equity of awards.
Do I have to reapply for financial assistance each year?
Yes, financial assistance awards are recalculated each year. Families must complete the Parent Financial Statement and submit required tax forms every year to establish need for the next academic year.
Will my financial assistance award remain the same as long as my child attends Belmont Day?
Families complete a new financial assistance application each year to establish need for the following academic year. Assuming that you have not had significant changes to your income, assets, family size, or family structure, the percentage of assistance that you receive will likely remain consistent each year. We award assistance to our returning families before our prospective families, so it is critical that your application and most recent tax documents are submitted by the deadline so that we can continue to prioritize your family’s award. We encourage current Belmont Day families to communicate with the director of financial assistance throughout the year to make sure questions, concerns, and deadlines are addressed.
Why do I need to provide my 2022 tax documents in April upon accepting an offer of admission when you already have my prior years’ (2021) income information?
In the event that a family’s income fluctuates significantly from the prior year, Belmont Day reserves the right to make necessary adjustments to the original financial assistance award shared with our offer of admission in March. In general, there would need to be a significant change in income to trigger a revision of your award. Having access to families’ most recent tax documents also allows us to verify situations where a family may have experienced a significant reduction in income from the prior year.
Do you provide assistance with After School program fees?
Yes, families that are granted a financial assistance award are also eligible to receive assistance with After School program fees. We apply the same percentage of assistance that applies to tuition to discount After School fees.
Can I apply for financial assistance after my child has been granted admission?
We allocate funds from our financial assistance budget first to families who qualify for assistance and whose children have been granted admission. Waiting to apply for assistance after an offer of admission is not encouraged since funds will have been allocated by then, and our budget will not be able to accommodate late requests. Priority is given to families who meet our financial assistance application deadline.
Will we be considered for financial assistance if my spouse stays home to care for our younger child?
Belmont Day recognizes the challenges of raising young children, so in calculating our financial assistance awards, we allow one parent to remain home until the youngest child is of preschool age. When all children in a family are of school age, it is our expectation that both parents be working full-time in order to be considered for financial assistance. We encourage families to reach out to Director of Financial Assistance Lauren McDermott to discuss their individual circumstances.
How to Apply for Financial Assistance
Go to School and Student Services to create an account and complete a Parents Financial Statement (PFS). Only one PFS needs to be completed per household.
School and Student Services offers these useful guides for families. Click on the title to view and download these resources.
- How to Apply for Financial Aid
- Cómo Solicitar Ayuda Financiera
- Family Guide to Financial Aid
- Guía Familiar para Ayuda Financiera
If the student’s parents are living apart or not filing taxes jointly, both parents must complete a separate PFS.
If you are a prospective family applying to Belmont Day, please upload the following tax documents to your PFS account:
- 2021 1040 and supporting schedules
- 2021 W-2 (and/or 1099 if self-employed)
- 2022 1040 and supporting schedules (once it is filed and available in Spring 2022)
- 2022 W-2 (and/or 1099 if self-employed) (once it is filed and available in Spring 2022)
The deadline for submitting a PFS with uploaded 2021 tax documents is January 30, 2023.
Financial assistance decisions will be included with admissions decisions on March 10, 2023.
Upon enrollment, families of students receiving financial assistance must upload their 2022 tax documents to their PFS account by April 10, 2023.
After School Tuition
After School for All Grades
Trimester 1, Session A: September 7 to November 21, 2022
Trimester 2, Session B: November 28, 2022 to March 10, 2023
Trimester 3, Session C: March 13 to June 12, 2023
Monday to Thursday 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. | Session A | Session B | Session C |
1 day per week | $215 | $247 | $247 |
2 days per week | $430 | $495 | $495 |
3 days per week | $645 | $742 | $742 |
4 days per week | $860 | $989 | $989 |
Monday to Thursday 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Session A | Session B | Session C |
1 day per week | $484 | $557 | $557 |
2 days per week | $968 | $1,113 | $1,113 |
3 days per week | $1,451 | $1,670 | $1,670 |
4 days per week | $1,935 | $2,226 | $2,226 |
Monday to Thursday 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. | Session A | Session B | Session C |
1 day per week | $269 | $309 | $309 |
2 days per week | $538 | $619 | $619 |
3 days per week | $806 | $928 | $928 |
4 days per week | $1,075 | $1,237 | $1,237 |
Fridays only | Session A | Session B | Session C |
12:30 to 3:30 p.m. | $645 | $710 | $774 |
12:30 to 5:30 p.m. | $1,129 | $1,242 | $1,355 |
Transportation
Rates and Routes for the 2022-23 School Year
Belmont Day School currently offers two bus lines for student transportation to and from school five days a week. Families have options about the frequency of use. For questions about bus service, please contact bus coordinator Anderson Santos.
Frequency
5 days round-trip | $4,000 |
4 days round-trip | $3,200 |
5 days one-way, morning or afternoon travel | $2,700 |
4 days one-way, morning or afternoon travel | $2,200 |
Bus Routes and Stops
Boston
Daily Morning Pick Up: 6:40 a.m. | Monday to Thursday Return: 5:22 p.m. | Friday Return: 4:20 p.m.
- Stop: 2 Morrissey Blvd.
- Stop: 6 Bearse Avenue
- Stop: 43 Whiting Street
- Stop: 10 Stanton Street
- Stop: 760 Morton Street
- Stop: 21 Justinian Way
- Destination: Belmont Day School
Cambridge
Daily Morning Pick Up: 6:40 a.m. | Monday to Thursday Return: 5:22 p.m. | Friday Return: 4:20 p.m.
- Stop: Lechmere Square (Monsignor O’Brien Highway at Cambridge Street)
- Stop: Inman Square (Cambridge Street at Prospect Street)
- Stop: Porter Square (Massachusetts Avenue at Walden Street)
- Stop: Wendell Street (Wendell Street at Oxford Street)
- Stop: 33 Huron Avenue
- Stop: Huron Avenue at Sparks Street
- Stop: Lincoln Street at Madison Street
- Destination: Belmont Day School
Belmont Residents
The Town of Belmont offers bus transportation to Belmont Day students for a fee. For more information and to register visit the Belmont Public Schools website.
Carpools and Ride Sharing
We encourage parents to set up carpools to ease traffic conditions on and around campus and save time and resources. The school directories are available on the Veracross Parent Portal and they provide an easy way to find households < 1 mile away for arranging a carpool.
Please note that Uber and Lyft require all riders and users to be 18 years of age or older. Belmont Day School will not dismiss students to ride share drivers.
Walking
Students in grades seven and eight (and their siblings) may leave campus on foot at the end of the school day if parents have provided permission in writing.