Top 4 Myths About the Affordability of Private Schools
by Bryan Denney, Chief Financial & Operations Officer
Some folks might have the perception that private schools are completely unaffordable and unwelcoming. However, that couldn't be further from the truth at Trinity! (Well, technically, we're an independent school, but that's beside the point.) Here are my Top 4 myths about the affordability of private schools.
4. School budgets are too tight to provide much assistance.
We can’t speak for other schools, but this isn’t true for Trinity Episcopal School of Austin. One of our top priorities is a well-funded financial assistance budget. In any given school year, Trinity allows for up to 12% of our operating income to go toward financial assistance, and in most years we do not meet that threshold.
3. My financial information won't be kept private.
Not true! We partner with a service called Clarity, an impartial third-party platform that helps you manage your application for tuition assistance. This allows us to access your financial data securely and confidentially. The only people on our staff who can access your data is the financial assistance committee. The purpose of the committee is to analyze and verify your family data and any unusual circumstances you are experiencing.
2. My family's income is too high to be eligible for assistance.
Don't be so sure. Income is just one of the factors we consider. Some others include the number of dependents, other tuition costs, and unusual expenses such as unexpected medical bills. Any family who is financially stretched and can use assistance should apply every year, even if they didn’t qualify in the past. Financial situations can change dramatically year to year. Many families who would qualify for assistance never apply for it, unfortunately, because they fear they won’t qualify.
1. Private schools only want wealthy families.
This couldn't be further from the truth! One of our core values is "Diverse Community," and that includes socioeconomic diversity. We believe all forms of diversity, seen and unseen, enrich the educational experience. Our average financial assistance award is about 50% of total tuition and fees. Additionally, the admission process operates independently of the financial assistance process. So, applying for assistance could not hurt your chances of being accepted for enrollment.
We believe every child deserves an exceptional education and that socioeconomic diversity enriches (pardon the pun) the experience for all of our students. We encourage everyone to apply for financial assistance. Please reach out to our Director of Admission Bethani Emery at bemery@austintrinity.org if you have any questions!
About the Author
Bryan Denney is the Chief Financial and Operations Officer for Trinity Episcopal School. In addition to leading the business office, he oversees departments such as facilities and security. Bryan is part of the Leadership Team, and he has worked at Trinity for nearly twenty years.