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?

  Lowell offers financial aid based on demonstrated need. No income level automatically qualifies a family for or disqualifies a family from financial aid as many factors are considered. Families should complete the financial aid process if they feel that the full cost is more than they can afford.

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

  Admission decisions are made separately by an Admissions Committee without regard to need. The Financial Aid Committee determines financial need and offers awards to as many students as possible. 

• How much aid can I expect?

  Financial aid awards range from small amounts to almost full tuition, depending on the proven need of individual students. All families are expected to contribute to the cost of their child's education.  

  
  Students receiving aid for tuition also receive discounts on the cost of After Care, after school activities (including aquatics and minicourses) 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?

  Award decisions are based on a family's demonstrated financial need.  To determine need, Lowell begins with the report from Clarity, our financial aid application processor, and then conducts our own analysis to make sure we have considered many contributing factors including income, assets, liabilities, along with any unique circumstances that may impact a family’s finances.

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

  Applications received after the deadline will be considered if funds remain. Once your application 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?

  If you believe there are extenuating circumstances or information the Financial Aid Committee did not have when an award determination was made, please reach out to Jar Lampard, Director of Financial Aid, for a discussion. Based on this conversation, families may be invited to submit new or additional documentation through Clarity for further review.
  
  Families are encouraged to provide as much information about a change in circumstance as soon as possible.  

• 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, Lowell believes all parents have a responsibility to contribute to the cost of educating their child to the extent that they are able. We require each parent to apply and complete the Clarity application 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 a Clarity application.  Any parent who is still living and can claim the child as a dependent on their taxes must also complete a financial aid application.