Financial Aid FAQs

List of 12 frequently asked questions.

• When should I apply for financial aid?

  If you believe that you will need financial aid, you should begin the admissions process and the financial aid process at the same time. Do not wait until your child has been admitted to apply for financial aid.
  
  Financial aid applications that are not submitted by the due date or incomplete upon submission are only considered if funds become available. Families who wait until after they are accepted to apply for financial aid, barring extenuating circumstances, are very unlikely to receive financial aid.

• Should I apply for financial aid?

  No income level automatically qualifies a family for or disqualifies a family from financial aid. Families should complete the financial aid process if they feel that the full cost is more than they can afford.
  
  Although Lowell has a significant financial aid budget, we may not be able to provide financial aid to all qualified applicants. We encourage families to explore all options (including extended family financial support) before applying for aid. 

• Will applying for financial aid have an impact on the admission decision for my child?

  Admission decisions are made first by an Admissions Committee without regard to need. The Financial Aid Committee determines financial need and offers awards to as many students as possible.
  
  We will not offer admission if we are unable to meet a family’s financial need.

• How much aid can I expect?

  All families are expected to pay a portion of the tuition and fees for their child to attend Lowell. Approximately 1/3 of our students receive some financial assistance. We do not award 100% tuition grants.
  
  Students receiving aid for tuition also receive discounts on the cost of most school activities, including the After School Program, Fall Bazaar, Annual Auction tickets, and Summer Camp.

• Do you offer aid at all grade levels?

  All full-time students in the Pre-Primary School through 8th grade are eligible to apply. Aid is not available to students enrolled in our morning-only Pre-Primary School program.

• Does Lowell offer merit or athletic scholarships?

  There are no merit-based or athletic scholarships available at Lowell. All aid is need-based.

• How is financial need determined?

  Lowell's Financial Aid Committee decides financial aid awards, and we use TADS FA to assess a family's unique financial circumstances.
  
  After the family completes the Parents' Financial Statement, the committee reviews the PFS along with the estimated family contribution (EFC) sent by TADS FA along with any additional documentation submitted by the family to determine what each family can reasonably contribute toward tuition.
  
  Lowell makes award decisions based on a family's demonstrated financial need, the information received from TADS FA, and the total number of families applying for aid and available funds.

• What happens if I am unable to meet the deadlines or my file is incomplete?

  Applications received after the deadline will be considered if funds remain. When your file is complete, we will make award determinations as funds become available.

• If I cannot afford the family contribution suggested in the financial aid award letter, is there an appeal process?

  Yes.
  
  If you believe there are extenuating circumstances or information the Financial Aid Committee did not have when an award decision was made, please reach out to our Financial Aid Manager for a discussion about our appeal process. Once grant decisions are made, however, additional funding is rarely available.

• What if I have a special circumstance not covered by the application?

  There is a section on the application to indicate circumstances such as job loss, medical emergencies, or other uncommon events. We encourage you to submit a letter outlining these circumstances in greater detail along with your required documents so we may better understand your unique situation.

• How does the financial aid application process work for separated or divorced parents?

  Whether married, separated, divorced, or remarried, both parents are expected to bear joint responsibility for the cost of educating their child to the extent that they are able. We require each parent to apply and complete the TADS FA process. Lack of information from either parent may prevent the determination of eligibility for financial aid.

• My child lives with a legal guardian. What information will the Financial Aid Committee require?

  Guardians should apply and complete the TADS FA process.