Tuition and Affordability
Affordability
We know families consider many factors before applying to Bolles – and affordability options are among the most consequential. It is our sincere hope your outcome in this process is an appropriate grant that helps your student get to Bolles – and helps you feel financially confident about it.
- Important Dates and Deadlines
- How is Affordability Determined?
- How to Apply
- Information for Divorced, Separated, or Never-Married Parents
- FAQs
Important Dates and Deadlines
- October 1, 2022 – January 27, 2023 – Complete Parent Financial Statement (PFS ) at https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal.
- February 15, 2023 – All families upload 2022 W-2 forms at https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal.
- February 15, 2023 – Families new to financial aid upload 2021 tax return
- March 1, 2023 – Award notification contingent upon verification of information via tax documents.
- April 15, 2023 – Upload 2022 tax returns and required supporting documents.*
*if you filed an extension with the IRS, upload the tax extension form under “Additional Documents”
How is Affordability Determined?
The Bolles School is committed to providing affordability assistance to families with demonstrated need as resources remain available. The School does not offer merit scholarships. The Bolles School offered approximately over $5.3 million dollars in need-based aid for the 2022-23 school year. Grants are awarded based on a family’s financial need and the availability of funds. Even given this level of resources, it is not uncommon for the demand for demonstrated need to exceed the resources available.
Bolles subscribes to a standardized, consistent and equitable “need analysis” through School and Student Services by the National Association of Independent Schools (SolutionsbyNAIS) to determine a family’s expected financial contribution to tuition. Using the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) provided by this methodology as a guideline, the Affordability Committee reviews each portfolio for consideration. Families must reapply for affordability assistance each year but can expect consistent support based on a consistent financial analysis.
Factors considered in determining a family’s contribution and an affordability assistance award include:
- Total family income
- IRS forms and schedules (including information on Partnerships and S-Corporations)
- Family Size
- Number of children attending tuition-charging schools
- Number of children attending Bolles and receiving financial aid
- Assets such as home equity
- Investment assets and indebtedness
- Unusual expenses for a given year
- Family choices for use of discretionary expenditures, including choice of housing, automobiles, club memberships and other personal lifestyle choices (For example, affordability assistance is not intended to underwrite the cost of luxury automobiles or private club memberships.)
- Individual circumstances provided to the Bolles Affordability Office
Please know that the Parent Financial Statement provided by SolutionsbyNAIS is a guideline and the final determination of aid awarded is the responsibility of the Bolles Affordability Committee.
How to Apply
1) Starting October 1, 2022, complete the Parents’ Financial Statement, accessible at https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal/. There is a $60 application fee. In order to be considered in the first round of affordability awards, applications for returning families are due December 1, 2022 and applications for new families are due January 27, 2023. The solutionsbynais website provides comprehensive instructions about the methodology and the application process, particularly at solutionsbysss/parents/resources.
- Click HERE for a one-page Bolles Affordability information sheet.
2) Upload the required documents to your SSS account in the Upload Documents Section:
- By January 27, 2023:
- Copies of 2022 W2’s (all applicants)
- Copies of 2021 tax return (only families new to financial aid)
- Copies of 2022 1040 Income Tax Return with all schedules when complete. Awards can be made without a 2022 completed tax return BUT families that fail to provide a 2022 tax return by April 15 risk forfeiting their award.
- If a parent is a shareholder in an S Corporation or a partner in a Partnership then provide the appropriate Schedule K-1.
- If siblings of the applicant attend tuition-charging institutions other than Bolles, please provide the Bolles Affordability Office the following information by email or by mail or in person at 7400 San Jose Blvd, Jacksonville, FL, 32217:
- For siblings who attended college prior to 2022, the IRS 1098-T form (Tuition Statement) or the financial aid award letter from the college (if appropriate).
- For siblings matriculating to college for the first time in 2022, a copy of the acceptance letter and financial aid award letter (if appropriate).
Information for Divorced, Separated, or Never-Married Parents
In the matter of divorce or separation of parents, the Affordability Committee will consider the income and assets of both natural parents, if living, before making an award. If either parent has remarried, we will consider also the income and assets of the stepparent, always bearing in mind the obligation of that stepparent to his or her own natural children.
In view of this policy regarding divorce or separated parents, it is necessary that the custodial and non-custodial parents each complete a PFS. The information provided will be kept in strictest confidence. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to ask the non-custodial parent to complete this form. If this information is not provided, the Affordability Committee will be unable to consider awarding a grant to the student. The non-custodial parent must also submit copies of appropriate tax forms to SSS.
FAQs
- How do I apply for an affordability grant?
- How is “need” determined?
- My child is a great student/artist/athlete. Does Bolles give merit scholarships?
- Must a family have a very modest income in order to receive an affordability grant?
- How much may I expect to receive?
- What if my financial situation changes?
- Must I repay this award?
- What if I am divorced or separated?
- Are decisions regarding admission and affordability related?
- I have other children applying to or attending tuition-charging institutions. Must I also apply for affordability awards from those schools?
- Only one parent works outside the home. Must both parents be employed to receive financial aid from Bolles?
- Are there other ways of paying school expenses besides receiving financial aid directly from Bolles?
How do I apply for an affordability grant?
You may apply online at https://sssandtadsfa.force.com/familyportal/ starting October 1, 2021. This website is where you will fill out and submit your Parents' Financial Statement (PFS).
How is “need” determined?
“Need” is determined by the School's Affordability Committee, which uses the confidential Parent Financial Statement (PFS) that you submit, tax returns, and the NAIS School and Student Services as a guide. School and Student Services collect information that is submitted by parents to assist our committee in determining need. Through all submitted materials, the Committee then determines the level of demonstrated need and how much aid can be granted.
My child is a great student/artist/athlete. Does Bolles give merit scholarships?
Must a family have a very modest income in order to receive an affordability grant?
How much may I expect to receive?
What if my financial situation changes?
Must I repay this award?
What if I am divorced or separated?
In the matter of divorce or separation of parents, the Affordability Committee will consider the assets of both natural parents, if living, before making any award, and cannot be bound by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for educational expenses. If either parent has remarried, we will consider also the assets and income of the stepparent, always bearing in mind the obligation of that stepparent to his or her own natural children. It is the responsibility of the custodial parent to ask the non-custodial parent to complete this form and to submit their taxes.
Are decisions regarding admission and affordability related?
I have other children applying to or attending tuition-charging institutions. Must I also apply for affordability awards from those schools?
Only one parent works outside the home. Must both parents be employed to receive financial aid from Bolles?
In general, yes, if all children in the family are in school. We also realize, however, that circumstances may make it impossible, or very difficult, for both parents to work outside the home in specific cases. Explaining such circumstances on your financial aid application, and describing the non-working partner's plans for eventual employment, are important.
Are there other ways of paying school expenses besides receiving financial aid directly from Bolles?
Tuition and Fees
2023-24 Tuition
| Grade | Tuition | Ancillary Costs |
|---|---|---|
| Pre-K Kindergarten Grades 1-3 Grades 4-5 |
$12,780 $16,720 $18,740 $21,680 |
Textbooks, Uniforms, Lunch (optional), Transportation (optional) |
| Grade 6-8 | $29,890 | Textbooks, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Uniforms, Lunch (optional), Transportation (optional), Some elective class selections including a fee. |
| Grades 9-12 | $30,810 | Textbooks, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Prescribed Dress, Lunch (optional), Transportation (optional), Some elective class selections may include a fee. |
| Resident Student | $62,920 | Textbooks, Bring Your Own Device (BYOD), Prescribed Dress, School Clinic ($325), ELLO Course ($3,500, parent agrees to enroll and pay if asked), Health Insurance ($2,560 est., required for all international students), Some elective class selections may include a fee. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are included in the resident student tuition |
A 10% deposit of the family’s tuition responsibility is due upon enrollment. A one-time $500 facilities fee is required during the student’s first year of enrollment at Bolles.
Payment Plans
For the 2023-24 School Year: The School utilizes FACTS Management Company (online.factsmgt.com) for processing account transactions. Annually, you must choose your payment plan and method of billing. A 10% non-refundable tuition deposit is billed to your FACTS account each December and is due in January. The 90% balance of tuition after the deposit can be paid in one of the following payment plans:
One Payment Plan
February Option - 90% balance due February 28
May Option - 90% balance due May 31.
Two Payment Plan
90% balance paid in two payments: 75% due May 31, 25% due October 31.
*Four Payment Plan
90% balance paid in four equal payments due: February 28, May 31, August 31 and October 31.
*Monthly Payment Plan
90% balance paid in equal monthly payments through October 31.
*While The Bolles School may not consider this payment plan to extension of credit the Truth and Lenders Act (TLA) requires disclosure for any extension of payments made over four or more months. Once you register with FACTS for this payment plan you will receive a TLA disclosure. Selection of this payment plan has a fee per family. The charges listed are estimates of expected costs. The School reserves the right to adjust these costs as circumstances warrant.
All tuition must be paid by October 31 regardless of enrollment date.
Additional and Optional Costs
Tuition Refund Insurance
This insurance is required of all resident students and new students (optional for all other students).
Tuition Refund Plan
2023-24 Cost:
|
PK |
K |
1-3 |
4-5 |
6-8 |
9-12 |
Boarding |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
$211 |
$276 |
$310 |
$358 |
$494 |
$509 |
$1039 |
Facilities Fees
A one-time facilities fee of $500 for each NEW STUDENT enrolled is payable with registration and is required with the deposit to ensure a student's grade placement.
Extended Care Options
Extended Day
Lower School
Rates range from $25 weekly for morning care to approximately $70 weekly for after-school care. A complete breakdown of costs and times can be found online in the Lower School Student/Parent Handbook.
Middle School
Offered on the Bartram Campus (transportation to San Jose at 5:15. This program is provided until 5:15 p.m. If staying after 5:15 p.m., a rates are $10 per day.
Advantage Programs
Advantage Programs offer an addition to Extended Day for lower school students. These programs highlight a specific art, science or a particular sport. The average cost is $100-$150 for 6 weeks, and run 45 minutes.
Affording Bolles