Financial Aid FAQ

Tuition assistance, in the form of a discount of tuition, may be offered to families who are able to demonstrate they need financial help to offset the cost of a Cathedral education.

Any family that has a student entering 9th through 12th grade is eligible to apply for tuition assistance. 

A family begins by completing an application for tuition assistance Clarity. For incoming freshman families, Cathedral's early deadline is October 13th with all required tax information to be turned in by October 31st. Families will receive  an estimated award at the time of Early Admission acceptance (the week of Thanksgiving). 

The need is determined by calculating the difference between the total cost of education and the family's ability to pay. Clarity provides to Cathedral a recommendation about a family's ability to pay. The Financial Aid Committee at Cathedral reviews the report and makes a decision on the amount to be awarded. Funds are limited, and it is impossible for Cathedral to meet full need for any family. Eligibility for tuition assistance is based on many factors; therefore, we encourage families to explore the tuition assistance application process if they think they might not be able to fully afford the cost of attendance.

Cathedral offers two merit scholarships—Presidential Scholarships and Cathedral Scholarships. Students who earn a composite score at the 98th or 99th national percentile on the STS High School Placement Test earn a Presidential Scholarship worth $16,000 ($4,000 per year). Students who earn a composite score at the 95th, 96th or 97th national percentile earn a Cathedral Scholarship worth $10,000 ($2,500 per year). All academic scholarships are renewable for up to four years, provided the student continues to meet the established guidelines. Presidential Scholarships and Cathedral Scholarships are in addition to any need-based tuition assistance for which a student's family qualifies. There are no athletic or extracurricular scholarships.

No. The school makes no distinction between financial aid applicants and those who do not apply for financial aid when considering students for admission. Once a candidate is qualified for admission to Cathedral, the amount of the financial need and the availability of funds determine the amount the family is expected to pay.

No. Since financial situations can change from year to year, and since the school's financial aid budget can vary from year to year, it is necessary for families to reapply each year. Information about doing so will be emailed to returning families currently receiving tuition assistance in November.

During the 2024-25 school year, approximately $2.9 million was allocated and distributed to approximately 40% of the total student body.

In cases of parents who have private tuition spelled out in their divorce decree, we will consider each parent's financial status on their own and provide a financial aid award on just their portion. In this case, both parents are welcome to apply for financial aid; however, one parent's application status will not affect the other parent's financial aid award.

When tuition percentages are not spelled out in the divorce decree, we require both parents to apply. We ask for this so that we can understand the entire financial picture for the student.

To be fair and consistent with all Cathedral families, we do need to include a step-parent's financial information in the picture. Even if the step-parent is not contributing directly to the student's tuition, he or she is contributing toward other expenses within the household that the parent would otherwise have to incur. With the step-parent present, regardless of tuition contribution, there is a new level of need for the household.

No. The ESA program is catered to non-Choice Scholarship schools who do not have a strong program to support our students who require Special Education services. Cathedral is an approved Choice school and is able to support the needs of students.