Financial Aid

Affording Friends Academy

Our Quaker values guide our commitment to welcoming talented and highly qualified students regardless of their background or financial circumstances. We strive to make Friends Academy affordable for all academically exceptional students by extending need-based financial aid.
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We recognize the commitment involved in paying for a private school K-12 education. We work with our families to make Friends Academy’s rigorous and engaging learning environment an affordable reality for their children.

– Taisha Thompson, Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid

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Steps to Apply for Financial Aid

2025-2026 Academic Year

Friends Academy partners with Clarity to facilitate the financial aid process. Our goal is to make the application process as easy as possible for your family.

To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete.  The Clarity Application is also mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.

After completing and submitting your Clarity application, please remember to return to the dashboard, as Friends Academy requires you to upload a copy of your current pay statement. The deadline for completing the financial aid application, including all supporting documents, is December 15, 2024.

  1. After October 2, 2024: Create a Clarity account
  2. December 15, 2024: Deadline for submitting the Clarity application
  3. April 18, 2025: Upload 2024 Federal Tax Returns

You may update and review the status of your Financial Aid application via the Clarity account portal.

Resources from Clarity

If you need support, Clarity provides in-app support through a "Help" chat button in the lower-left corner of their website or emailing support at support@clarityapp.com (available Monday-Friday 8 am to 11 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm), or call 206-210-3752 (available Monday-Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm). Please view an introduction video to Clarity below. 

The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.

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An Introduction to Clarity

Watch an introductory video to our Financial Aid platform – Clarity. In this video, you will learn how to use their user-friendly system and make the process of gaining information as easy as possible.

Watch

 

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Clarity Website

Explore Clarity's website to discover valuable insights, tips, and information that can make the process of securing financial aid for your child's education more accessible and less daunting.

Learn More

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Financial Aid Family Night Webinars

All parents are invited to attend an upcoming family information session to learn more about the Clarity application. Registration links are included with the date below.

Webinar Recordings:
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Frequently Asked Questions

 

Who is eligible for need-based financial aid?

Friends Academy offers financial aid to qualifying families with students entering Kindergarten through Grade 12. Our financial aid program is need-based, and grants are awarded to families of qualified admission candidates who demonstrate financial need.

How are financial aid grants determined?

Friends Academy uses the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application.  Need-based financial aid is granted at the school’s discretion and takes into account each family’s unique financial situation as demonstrated through income, assets, expenses, and debts.

Will my application for financial aid impact my admission decision?

Decisions about admission and financial aid are made separately, but information about an award will accompany the decision letter.

What do I do if I cannot afford the grant being offered?

Families may appeal their financial aid award by writing to the Director of Enrollment Management and Financial Aid. A letter of appeal should include a detailed explanation as to why the decision is being appealed, along with any additional documentation that will support the request.

Will I continue to receive financial aid for the duration of my student's tenure at Friends Academy?

Friends requires families receiving aid to re-apply each year.  Families who qualify for need-based aid can reasonably expect to receive similar awards each year assuming their financial circumstances remain consistent.

What is the Inclusive Meal Plan?

As part of our inclusive tuition plan, all students, from Kindergarten through twelfth grade receive a daily hot lunch in our Dining Commons. Students have a variety of choices, including salad bar, hot lunch, sandwiches and grill station. Click here for Weekly Menus.

Early Childhood children bring their lunch to eat in the Early Childhood Center kitchen space.

In-class Snacks: All students in Grades Kindergarten - 5th grade are served a light snack either mid-morning or mid-afternoon in their classrooms. Middle School students are offered fresh fruit during the day.

Purchasing breakfast and snacks: Both breakfast and afternoon snack items are available for purchase in the Dining Commons. All Lower School students receive a daily snack, which is eaten in the classroom. Middle School students enjoy fresh fruit at the end of the school day.

Questions: Contact Food Services Manager Christina Mariakais at 516-393-4233 or christina_mariakais@fa.org.

Friends Academy dining services are provided by Flik Independent School Dining. Flik and Friends Academy work in tandem to promote and enhance the school's health and wellness and sustainability programs.

For further information, please fill out the form below or contact us in the Admissions and Financial Aid Office at: admissions@fa.org 

 

Tuition & Fees

2024-2025 Academic Year

Friends Academy has an inclusive tuition plan (ITP). The stated tuition for grades K through 12 includes all mandatory fees and the meal plan.

Lower School:
PlayGroup: $20,900
PreKindergarten: $28,200
Kindergarten: $32,600
Grades 1-4: $38,400

Middle School:
Grades 5-8: $42,400

Upper School:
Grades 9-12: $46,500

Friends Academy will not deny anyone acceptance based on inability to pay full tuition.

20%

OF STUDENTS RECEIVE SOME FORM OF FINANCIAL AID

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Financial Aid Brochure

Download our Financial Aid Brochure for information on deadlines to apply, our philosophy, and frequently asked questions.

Download Brochure

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Need help? Let's talk.

If you have questions about our Financial Aid process, fill out the form and a member of our admissions team will be in touch.

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