Financial Aid at Our Private High School

Tuition for the 2024-2025 academic year has been set by the Board of Trustees at $24,610. Books and supplies are not included. Each year a separate student fee is required and varies per year.

The real cost to Fordham Prep of educating a student is substantially higher than the tuition we charge. The difference between the tuition we charge and the actual cost to us (our "tuition gap") is made up through continual development efforts and the generosity of the Prep's faithful alumni, parents, and benefactors.

Last year, Fordham Prep provided approximately $4.3 million dollars in financial assistance to approximately 48% of Fordham Prep families. Financial aid is awarded based on demonstrated need. Our goal is to maintain a student population rich in talent and diverse in culture, without regard to financial resources. Students are not required to work in exchange for merit scholarships and financial aid. Financial aid is not a loan; no repayment is required.

Through its Financial Aid program, Fordham Prep attempts to meet the financial concerns of its neediest students. This not only includes support for tuition but also includes items such as:

lunch
technology (including laptops)
Global Education trips
sports participation fees
SAT/ACT preparation classes.

This is to ensure that all members of the student body can participate fully in the life of the Prep. In addition, in coordination with the Fordham Prep Mothers' Club, on an anonymous basis, Fordham Prep supports families for meals during the holidays.

Please note that financial aid is awarded only to those families whose accounts are in good standing.

Applying for Financial Aid

The Financial Aid process is confidential. Families are required to complete an application each year and send supporting documents to F.A.I.R. (Financial Aid Independent Review), an outside organization that provides analysis and recommendations to our Financial Aid Committee. Supporting documents include the most recent federal tax return and schedules, as well as W-2 forms and current paystubs. No family will be eligible to receive financial aid until the application is completed.

Families of Prospective Freshman for the Class of 2029 (entering September 2025):

Apply between September 1, 2024 and December 6, 2024. Use 2023 Federal Tax Return.
Responses will be communicated with your admissions decision provided your application was completed by the December 6 deadline.

Families of Current Students (Classes of 2026, 2027, 2028 - for the 2025/2026 academic year):

Apply between February 1, 2025 and March 15, 2025. Use 2024 Federal Tax Return.
A response from Fordham Prep will be communicated in June 2025.

***Please note that financial aid is allocated to families who apply on time. Those who apply late should not expect to receive aid. ***

Application instructions:

Setup an account at www.fairapp.com
When prompted, supply the following: School code: 169 School password: fps169
Complete the application.
Pay the fee: $33 (Visa or Mastercard).
Submit your federal tax return with all schedules, W-2’s and most recent paystubs. You may submit them; Via upload on the FAIR website after you have completed your application OR Mail copies to the address below.

FAIR, Inc.
P.O. Box 211423
Eagan, MN 55121

Last year, Fordham Prep awarded over $4.3 million in financial aid to 43% of our student body.

For prospective students in the Class of 2029, our separate financial aid application is due no later than Friday, December 6.

Click here to learn more about the FAIR application process.

Merit Based Scholarships

In order to be considered for a Merit Based Scholarship, students must have:

Excellent grades (an average of at least a 90 or above in 6th, 7th, and 8th grade)
An excellent score on the High School Placement Exam (HSPT). Applicants who do not take the HSPT will not be considered for a Merit Scholarship.
For more information about Fordham Prep's Merit Scholarship Exam, please click here.

Financial Aid FAQ's

Who can apply for financial aid?

Can my son qualify for financial aid for being an outstanding student?

Can my son qualify for aid for being an outstanding athlete?

What is the income cutoff for receiving financial aid?

There is no set income cutoff for receiving financial aid. FAIR, Inc., the service that analyzes the financial aid applications, looks at income and assets, making allowances for living expenses and retirement planning. A percentage of the remaining resources is expected to be available for tuition. Two families with the same income may receive different awards, based on the demands placed on that income including the number of children.

My son is applying for admission as a prospective freshman; when should I apply for financial aid?

My son is applying for admission as a prospective freshman; can I wait until he is accepted to apply for financial aid?

No. Financial aid applications for prospective freshmen are due December 6. Families who meet that deadline are guaranteed a response to their request for financial aid before registration. Families who do not meet that deadline risk receiving no aid because funds have already been distributed, or less aid because there is so little left available. In addition, families who apply late will not be eligible for financial aid.

My son is a returning student. When should I apply or re-apply for financial aid?

I already have one son at Fordham Prep and intend to register an incoming freshman. When should my family apply for financial aid?

When will I get a response to my request for financial aid?

What if the deadline has passed and then we realize that we need to apply for financial aid?

My son is applying for admission as a transfer student; can we apply for financial aid?

Financial aid is generally not available for transfer students. Your family may apply, but you are less likely to receive an award, as priority in the awarding of financial aid is given to currently enrolled students and incoming freshmen. Should additional money become available, however, it is helpful for the Financial Aid Committee to have ready access to a completed application. Please note that after having spent one year at Fordham Prep, a transfer student may apply for financial aid, and his application will be given the same consideration as is given to all enrolled students.

How much financial aid does Fordham Prep award each year?

Does FAIR, Inc. determine the financial aid awards?

Can my family receive financial aid for the full tuition at Fordham Prep?

If my son receives financial aid, will he or I be required to do anything in return?

Fordham Prep requires each family to sign our Financial Aid agreement, reminding each student of his responsibility as a member of the Fordham Prep Community to: commit himself to support the mission and philosophy of Fordham Prep, work hard in all subjects so as to perform to the best of his ability, maintain excellent attendance, cooperate with Fordham Prep in keeping in touch with donors and letting them know about his progress, participate actively in the programs and activities of Fordham Prep, be mindful of the generosity of his benefactors and contribute to the assistance of other students in years to come, once he has completed his studies and entered the workforce.

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