Private School in Lake Norman | Tuition and Financial Aid

Financial Aid Steps

List of 4 items.

1. Complete Online Financial Aid Application

Complete the online Student and School Service for Financial Aid (SSS) at https://www.solutionsbysss.com/parents/ AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. (Note: these forms are to be filled out online based on 2022 reported taxes.)
2. Securely Upload Most Recent Tax Returns

Upload your family's tax returns from tax year 2021 and tax year 2022 to the online portal where you've submitted your financial aid application (This is a secure portal to upload your documents).
3. Financial Aid Committee Review

The Financial Aid Committee meets in early March, and then regularly on a rolling basis, to review applications and award financial aid.

Prior to consideration, a financial aid application must be completed (Step 1) and tax returns uploaded (Step 2).
4. Review Enrollment Tuition Contract

Once an award is made and an enrollment tuition contract is offered, review your child's contract.

You may reach out to the Admissions Office with any questions you may have regarding your child's contract or financial aid award.

We ask families to review and sign contracts within two weeks of receipt.

Financial Aid FAQs

List of 11 items.

Q. How does Davidson Day process requests for financial aid?

A. Davidson Day School partners with School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid awards. The Financial Aid Committee determines the amount of each applicant's annual award, following qualification guidelines reported by SSS.
Q. How are award amount decisions made?

A. After receiving the financial profile information submitted by the family, SSS generates a report, the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC), which details an estimate of a family's ability to pay independent school tuition. Our Financial Aid Committee uses the EFC to guide its decision of the award amount to be offered. Note that there are opportunities within the SSS application process for families to articulate short-term financial difficulties that might temporarily impact their ability to pay full tuition.
Q. How are families notified of their awards?

A. The financial aid award will be included in the enrollment tuition contract when it is issued to the responsible signer(s) of the contract.
Q. Does financial aid cover more than tuition?

A. Financial Aid does not cover extended care, arts/music supplies or instruments, or athletic equipment/team packs.
Q. Does Davidson Day offer scholarships?

A. Davidson Day School does not offer academic, arts, or athletics scholarships. However, we do offer a robust need-based financial aid program administered through School and Student Services (SSS).
Q. Who is required to complete the financial aid application if parents are divorced?

A. Davidson Day School expects parents to contribute to the educational costs for their children to the full extent they are financially able. This principle applies to both parents, even those who are separated or divorced. Both parents are expected to file all of the necessary forms and to comply fully with all of the guidelines and requirements of the aid process. Thus, tax returns and forms are required of both parents. The custodial parent and the non-custodial parent must each fill out the SSS Parents Financial Statement. Remarriage of either natural parent creates a new family unit with new relationships, but since the parents still have a parental obligation, the income and assets of the entire family unit (including new family units and step-parents) are viewed as relevant for the purposes of calculating a family's level of need. Davidson Day School considers the obligations of the parents to their new family situation in determining the award, but will not allocate the award on a proportional basis among the families.
Q. Are families expected to pay back the money their child has received in financial aid from Davidson Day?

A. Financial aid is an award, not a loan, and is not owed back to the School.
Q. Can a student receive a full tuition financial aid award?

A. No financial aid award covers the full cost of tuition at Davidson Day School. Families receiving the "maximum" award at Davidson Day are required to pay $3,000 per year, per student for tuition. (Please note that some fees associated with attending Davidson Day are not covered by financial aid awards.)
Q. Do families need to reapply for financial aid each year?

A. Yes, application for financial aid must be submitted by February 15 each year. Applications received after the deadline will be processed if funds are available.
Q. Will faculty and staff know if a child receives financial aid?

A. Davidson Day School's financial aid program is administered in the strictest of confidence. We request that financial aid recipients and their families keep their award information confidential as well.
Q. Where can I get more information on financial aid?

A. Visit School and Student Services' Family Resource Center webpage.

2023-2024 Tuition and Fees

Tuition

Early Preschool-5 half days	$17,540
Early Preschool-5 full days	$19,800
Preschool (3s and 4s)	$19,800
Junior Kindergarten (4s and 5s)	$19,800
Lower School (K-4)	$21,910
Middle School (5-8)	$23,070
Upper School (9-12)	$23,580

Fees

Refund Plan Fee	2.8% of tuition
Yearbook Fee	$70
Technology Fee (grades 7-12)	$450
Field Experience Fee (grades 4-12)	$450 - $850
Textbooks (grades 7-12)	$300 - $1,000

Non-Discriminatory Policy

Davidson Day School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, national origin, or any other category or characteristic protected by law, in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid policies, employment practices, and athletic and other school-administered programs.