Admission

Tuition & Financial Aid

At New Canaan Country School, we believe that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to any prospective student or family. We also believe that socio-economic diversity enriches the educational experience for all families.

Making a Country School education accessible is important to us. We currently serve families representing a range of incomes. Using a standard assessment tool, Clarity Application, our need-based financial aid grants take into consideration circumstances unique to each household. We encourage families who see our cost as unaffordable to consider applying for financial aid. 
 
If you have questions about financial aid eligibility, we’re happy to discuss your individual circumstances. Please contact the Financial Aid Office at (203) 801-5608.

Financial Aid FAQs

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • What do I need to know before applying for financial aid at Country School?

    At Country School, we award financial aid based solely on demonstrated need; we do not offer merit-based scholarships. 

    Our goal is to partner with families to make a Country School education affordable for those who qualify.

    We expect families to actively partner in meeting tuition costs by utilizing all available resources.

    Key considerations for financial aid applicants include:
    • Families are expected to explore all available resources for tuition support, including loans or gifts from family members and other outside sources.
    • Families are asked to prioritize educational expenses over non-essential expenditures such as private clubs, luxury vacations, or second homes.
    • Each family’s circumstances are carefully reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
    • In cases of divorced, separated, or never-married parents, both custodial and non-custodial parents are expected to contribute to educational costs. A financial aid application from all parents/guardians is required, and failure to provide information may impact eligibility for aid.
    • A wage will be assumed for a non-working parent/guardian. However, exceptions may be made in cases where a parent/guardian has a significant reason for being unemployed, such as caring for non-school-aged children, supporting family members who need substantial assistance, or being unable to work due to a medical condition.
    • Financial aid awards are reassessed annually.
    • Please note while we strive to provide financial aid to as many families as possible, due to limited resources, the Financial Aid Committee cannot guarantee that we will meet the financial needs of all applicants.

  • Does financial aid cover expenses beyond tuition?

    Yes, financial aid is awarded as a direct grant against annual expenses for tuition, transportation, lunch, and Extended Day costs. Families receiving need-based financial aid also receive proportionate discounts toward other school-related costs such as extended-day, class trips, instrument rentals, laptop purchases, etc.

  • Do I need to apply for financial aid every year?

    Yes, while we are committed to renewing financial aid annually assuming that a family’s circumstances are largely the same, we nonetheless require families to submit financial aid application forms each year in order to capture the most accurate information.  If you are a Country School family currently receiving financial aid and wish to reapply for the next academic year, you must submit an application on the Clarity family portal by the deadline of December 1.

    Families can expect the same level of support throughout each child’s years at Country School if their demonstrated need remains the same. The financial aid grant is likely to change if the family situation changes significantly. If a family does not qualify for financial aid upon admission, it is unlikely they will qualify in subsequent years unless there is a significant change in family finances.

  • Are there payment plans available?

    We offer three payment plan options to all families:
    1 Month: Payment in full via Blackbaud Tuition Management due by July 15
    2 Month: Interest-free semi-annual payments via Blackbaud Tuition Management due by July 15 and November 15
    9 Month: Interest-free monthly payment plan which allows you to spread your child’s education expenses over 9 monthly installments, beginning on May 15  and ending on January 15.

  • How does Country School work with divorced or separated parents/guardians?

    Parents/guardians who are divorced or separated must each complete the Financial Aid Application provided by Clarity. If either is remarried, the assets of the stepparent/s are also considered.

  • Who will know that my family is applying for financial aid?

    All applications for financial aid are held in strictest confidence. Only members of the Financial Aid Committee have access to this information. 

  • If our family does not receive financial aid, but we enroll our child at NCCS, may we apply for financial aid in future years?

    If a family does not apply for or did not qualify for financial aid upon admission to the School, financial aid will only be awarded in subsequent years if the family experiences a significant change in circumstances. Examples include an employment change, a large decrease in income, an increase in the number of children attending tuition-charging institutions, or a medical issue.

    If you are a current Country School family and are interested in applying for financial aid for the first time, please contact Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid Beth O'Brien regarding next steps, (203) 801-5628 or bobrien@countryschool.net.

  • What if any parent/guardian is not working?

    A wage will be assumed for a non-working parent/guardian. However, exceptions may be made in cases where a parent/guardian has a significant reason for being unemployed, such as caring for non-school-aged children, supporting family members who need substantial assistance, or being unable to work due to a medical condition.

  • Can I get a loan to pay the tuition?

    While New Canaan Country School does not offer loans to parents, a loan program is available through Your Tuition Solution. Information can be found at www.yourtuitionsolution.com or by calling (800) 920-9777.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

New Canaan Country School uses the Clarity Financial Aid Application to determine a family’s eligibility for need-based financial aid and calculate the resulting grant. The application process begins on October 1. There is a $60 application fee. Fee waivers are automatically applied for qualifying families based on income, assets, and family size.
 For more detailed instructions, please refer to these Clarity Application Guides:
The financial aid application is fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner on Clarity's website.  La solicitud de ayuda financiera está completamente traducida al español utilizando el menú desplegable en la esquina inferior izquierda del sitio web de Clarity.

Support for Families
Clarity provides robust support for families, available in both English and Spanish:
  • In-App Help: Use the “Get Help” button in the lower left corner of the Clarity application.
  • Phone: 206-210-3752

Apply for Financial Aid

Clarity Financial Aid Application Webinars

Clarity offers webinars to assist families with the financial aid process. We welcome you to join this upcoming session. 

December 10 - 5:30 pm Pacific

Financial Aid Application Deadlines

  • Currently-enrolled families: Apply by December 1
  • Applicant families: Apply January 15 

2024-2025 NCCS Tuition

$29,470   Beginners 3/4

$34,070   Beginners 4/5
* Beginning in 2025-26, Beginners 4/5 will be full day and priced accordingly

$47,050   Kindergarten

$47,050  Grades 1-4 

$48,670   Grades 5-6

$50,020   Grades 7-9

Tuition rates are established by the Board of Trustees in January for the following school year. These rates are included with the enrollment contract each family receives upon acceptance to Country School.

Additional Charges

List of 3 frequently asked questions.

  • Lunch


    Families are charged $1,730 for lunch per child - available for Grades 1-9 only. Tuition includes a charge for milk for all children and snacks for younger children. Beginners who stay for the afternoon program and all Kindergarteners bring their own lunch. 

  • Transportation


    In support of our commitment to be accessible, to reducing traffic on campus, to be responsible “green” citizens and because we believe that riding the bus is a positive social experience for our students, the policy of the school is to charge all families for our bus service if they live near the scheduled routes. The Community Transportation charge is $2,980 for those living outside of New Canaan; the charge for those living in New Canaan is less at $1,830 since the town is required to contribute toward the cost of transportation for all town residents. NCCS requires all families to participate financially in the Community Transportation Program with the following exceptions:
    • those who live beyond the borders of the region our bus routes cover including the towns of Darien, New Canaan, Norwalk, Stamford and Wilton
    • students living in New York State (within a 15 mile radius), who have the option of using transportation provided by their home district at no cost
    • those who live within a SAFE walking distance, as determined by the school (sightlines and sidewalks are significant factors in determining this eligibility)
    • while not required to participate,  Kindergarten and Beginners 4/5 may choose to use transportation, either full or part-time, at the cost already noted 
    • please note: State Law prohibits students in Beginners 3/4 from being eligible for our school-provided transportation

  • Miscellaneous


    Charges for trips, skating, and various activities are billed throughout the year as the events occur.
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.

New Canaan Country School

635 Frogtown Road, New Canaan, CT 06840
Phone: (203) 972-0771
New Canaan Country School admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin and are afforded all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, age, sex, sexual orientation, national origin or ancestry, or disability in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies or any other school-administered programs.