Financial Aid Policy

From the time it opened its doors in 1918, Cathedral High School has been strongly committed to seeking diversity within its student body and providing access to Cathedral for a wide range of students. Through the generosity of alumni, parents and friends of the school, Cathedral is able to offer financial aid to families with a demonstrated financial need. There are no scholarships given for a talent a student may possess (i.e. There are no athletic scholarships given to any student.).

Financial aid will not cover the total cost of a Cathedral High School education. Financial aid is offered to families with the greatest demonstrated need. It is for this reason that families desiring to apply for financial aid are strongly encouraged to follow all instructions and timetables when filing for financial aid. Each family wishing to be considered for assistance must file the forms on an annual basis to be eligible for assistance. If families have more than one child enrolled at Cathedral, it is only necessary to file one form.

New families of students offered admission via the Early Admission process, and who meet the early deadline of October 15, will receive an estimated tuition assistance decision/notification along with the letter of acceptance the week of Thanksgiving. New families of students meeting the regular deadline of December 15 will receive their award by late February (at the time of acceptance for incoming freshmen).  Returning families will receive their award notification by May 6.

Late applications and/or late tax documentation submissions will be processed in the order in which they are received, although financial aid is not guaranteed under these circumstances.

Priority status in the allocation of funds is given first to returning students, then to new students. For freshmen, priority status will be given to incoming freshmen who have been named Presidential Scholars or Cathedral Scholars. Financial aid often is limited for incoming transfer students.

Principles of Good Practice

In keeping with Cathedral High School's commitment to NAIS and to our mission of access to and diversity within our school, the principles outlined below are followed in the distribution of need-based tuition assistance:

  1. Cathedral High School does not discriminate in the administration of financial aid because of race, color, religion, national origin or gender.
  2. Cathedral High School recognizes that the primary responsibility for financing a student's independent school education rests with his or her family.
  3. Cathedral High School strives through various publications and communication to provide students and families with factual information about the financial aid policy and procedure of the school.
  4. The Financial Aid Committee uses a uniform methodology to annually assess, in a consistent and equitable manner, each family's ability to pay for a Cathedral education.
  5. The Financial Aid Committee reserves the right to require additional documentation (tax return forms, custodial agreement papers between divorced parents) of family resources when determining financial need.
  6. Cathedral High School does not use financial need as a consideration in determining a student's eligibility for admission.
  7. Cathedral High School will continue to fund the student's financial need until graduation from Cathedral or until financial need is no longer demonstrated.
  8. The Director of Financial Aid notifies recipients of the financial aid awarded by the financial aid committee and provides an appeal process for families requesting additional funding.
  9. Confidentiality is a main priority of Cathedral High School with regards to all facets of the financial aid process.
  10. Families must apply for financial aid on a yearly basis. Families with more than one student at Cathedral need to file only one form.