Because of our prudent financial model, USL provides an oustanding educational experience that is a value. Families of all means send their curious, kind, and high-achieving children to USL, and our tuition reduction program (financial aid) makes this possible. USL is able to provide assistance to families whose financial resources cannot fully cover the cost of an independent school education. Around 25% of our current families have been awarded grants that reduce the cost of tuition.
Please note that this is not a loan but a reduction in the tuition charged. For example, a grant that reduces tuition by $3000 could be all that is needed to make the USL experience possible. For some of our families, this is exactly the case. For others, they may qualify for tuition reductions of more (up to 90%) or less.
2017-2018 TUITION RATES:
Intermediate School (grades 3-5): $11,250
Middle School (grades 6-8): $11,850
High School (grades 9-12): $12,500
Textbook/Classroom Materials Fee for all grades: $400
Tuition at University School of the Lowcountry includes all Learning Outside the Classroom experiences, overnight trips for Middle and Upper School students, and a yearbook.
Please note that the Textbook Fee ($400) will be waived for those who prepay their tuition in one installment by July 15. For those who elect to pay tuition in two installments, $200 of the $400 will be waived.
TUITION & FEES SCHEDULE
This reflects payments after the $750 deposit.
Single Payment (due 7/15/17)
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IS: $ 10,900
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MS: $11,500
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US: $12,150
Two Payments (due 7/15/17 & 12/15/17)
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IS: $5,450
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MS: $5,750
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US: $6,075
Nine Payments (due monthly, 7/15/17 – 3/15/18)
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IS: $1,211.11
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MS: $1,277.77
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US: $1,350
To make a secure, online tuition payment, please click here.
Tuition Reduction Grants (Financial Aid)
A University School of the Lowcountry education is an investment in your child’s future. It is also a significant financial investment. Our tuition reduction program provides need-based tuition assistance to families who would otherwise not be able to attend USL.
No student who meets the admissions criteria should be deterred by financial reasons from applying to University School. Parents who require aid are encouraged to apply for a grant-based tuition reduction. Please note that these are not loans but are reductions in the amount of tuition charged for the child for that year. Grants of financial aid are not intended to cover 100% of the cost of attendance at USL: the current policy for maximum award is 90%. All families are expected to contribute to the cost of their student’s education.
Should we apply for Financial Aid?
Few families find it “easy” to pay tuition at independent schools. Most adjust their spending priorities, maximize their earnings, and carefully manage assets to do so. We would like to provide guidelines to help you decide whether to apply for aid, but each family’s combination of circumstances is unique. The most helpful guideline comes from your own knowledge of your family’s finances. Think of your monthly budget and then calculate the annual amount which you feel you can pay. If this amount is less than the amount of the annual tuition, you may be a candidate for financial aid.
How do we apply for Financial Aid?
Families are asked to submit financial aid applications online, and financial aid decisions are made independently of admissions decisions. Applications are processed by FAST (Financial Aid for School Tuition), and the results are returned to University School.
There is a $43 application processing fee that must be paid via credit card at the time the online application is submitted. The financial aid program is managed in accordance with USL’s Non-Discrimination Policy.
When submitting tax forms to FAST, please write “University School of the Lowcountry” under your return address on the envelope to speed the processing of your application.
Click here to fill out your FAST application online.
Non-Discrimination Policy
University School of the Lowcountry is committed to its growth as an institution that welcomes and values a diversified school community. The school does not discriminate on the basis of race, national or ethnic origin, religion, economic background, or any other classification protected by law in the administration of its educational policies, financial assistance policies, or any other school policy or program.
