Admissions

Tuition and Financial Aid

You are Invited

We are committed to making the Brimmer experience affordable, providing clear information about tuition costs and offering financial assistance to as many qualified students as possible. Any student who is enrolled or applying for admission is eligible to apply for financial aid. This process is separate from the admissions process, and financial aid and admissions decisions are made independently from one another. A Brimmer education is more affordable than you think.

Please contact our Admissions Office at 617-738-8695 or email admissions@brimmer.org for any questions regarding our tuition, financial aid program, or affording an independent school tuition.
 

Tuition & Financial Aid Procedures

The Brimmer Financial Aid program is designed to make a Brimmer and May School education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. We are proud to use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.

The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The Clarity Application is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge.

To apply for financial aid, both new and returning families must go to the Clarity Website and complete a financial aid application.

List of 2 items.

  • Completed Financial Aid Applications Include:

    • Completed application by January 26, 2024, from all parents (including spouses, if remarried).
    • Supporting documents by February 9, 2024.
    • A signed federal tax return (1040) with all supporting schedules from the current year (2023)*.
    • Copies of current year’s (2023) W-2s from all working parents*.
    • IRS Form 1099 if self-employed.
    *1040 and W2 documents will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step in Clarity, so you will no longer need to upload those documents manually.

    Once all required forms are received, Brimmer's Financial Aid Committee begins a thorough review of the information provided by the family. While the School strives to be as equitable as possible to all applicants, we cannot guarantee that every applicant’s needs will be met. 

  • Tuition Payment Plan

    The School offers a payment plan through Blackbaud Tuition Management enabling parents to pay in a variety of installments. Enrolled families will receive two statements (one in June, one in December), and the first payment is due July 1. Tuition Refund Insurance (.90% of annual tuition) is required for all new families and for families making monthly payments.

Downloads

Clarity Parent Webinars

  • Clarity Apply
    Family Support contact information (all available in English and Spanish; the application itself is also fully translated into Spanish).

Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • Who qualifies for financial aid?

    Our aid recipient families are spread across the three divisions of the School and represent a range of income brackets. In addition to income, personal/family assets are taken into consideration in the calculation of awards. We believe that every family has an obligation to contribute towards their child’s education and expect that this commitment (regardless of level) is reflected in the application. Financial aid awards vary from 10% to 95% of tuition. For more information about average awards and percentages of students receiving aid, please consult the aid profile section of this webpage.

  • What kind of financial aid is provided?

    Financial aid grants at Brimmer are 100% need-based. We do not offer merit awards/scholarships. Families must complete an application and provide supporting tax documents each year their children are enrolled at the School.

  • How are awards calculated?

    Based on the information families provide on the application, Clarity generates an estimated amount that families can contribute towards educational expenses. This amount is used as a starting point for discussions and allows the Financial Aid Committee to be fair and objective in its decision-making. We frequently make our own adjustments to the calculation as necessary.

  • Do aid awards cover tuition only?

    Yes, financial aid awards are directed towards tuition only. However, depending upon grade and aid level, additional funds are granted for books, iPads, orientation programs, and trips. This amount varies by student.

  • Can families apply for financial aid before their taxes are completed?

    Yes, families can complete and submit an application at any time after August 1. Clarity will link to the most recent available tax information.

  • If a family receives aid one year, are they guaranteed aid in subsequent years?

    Families can expect to receive aid throughout the years their child is in school unless there is a change in their financial situation. The percentage of award is subject to change, however, and is based upon several factors including income fluctuation and tuition increases among others. 

  • If a family does not receive aid when their child/children enroll/s at Brimmer, can they apply in subsequent years?

    Any family can apply for financial aid, regardless of whether assistance was provided at their year of entry. With that said, aid cannot be guaranteed, and parents should plan ahead of time for annual tuition increases as well as tuition levels of future grades/divisions within the School. If a family is having difficulty paying tuition or is experiencing hardship, they should be in touch with the Financial Aid and/or Business Office to discuss their situation.

  • If a family has multiple children applying, do they need to submit more than one application?

    No, each family need only to complete one application regardless of the number of children applying to the School. While we value family connections at Brimmer, siblings are not guaranteed financial aid at any grade level.

  • How should single parents or separated/divorced couples complete the application?

    We believe that each parent (regardless of level of contribution) has a financial obligation toward the education of their child/children. To that end, we require each parent to complete a PFS. If there are extenuating circumstances preventing this from happening, please be in touch with the Financial Aid Office. We do consider the ability of stepparents to contribute in our calculations, though recognize that they have a greater financial obligation to their biological children when applicable. It is important to note that all information received by the Financial Aid Office is held in the strictest of confidence and the information of one parent is never shared with the other.

Tuition (2023-2024)

PK & K $39,900
Grades 1 - 3 $45,500
Grades 4 & 5 $51,350
Grades 6 - 12 $61,350

Extra Fees (2023-2024)

PK - Grade 5
$250 (includes field trips, books, and materials)

Grades 6 - 8
$500 (Includes orientation, fees, and materials)

Grades 9 - 12
$500 (Includes orientation, fees, and materials)

International Student Fee for students requiring an F-1 visa
$2,000

*There are separate fees for: PA dues, Tuition Refund Insurance, travel trips, and some elective courses and programs.
  • NAMED SCHOLARSHIPS
    Due to the generosity of donors who have made gifts to our endowment that are restricted to financial aid, we are proud to offer a number of named scholarships to current students each year.

Aid Awarded (2023-2024)

Percent of Student Body Receiving Aid
Lower School 29%
Middle School 20%
Upper School 31%
All School 28%

Average Award
Lower School $29,650
Middle School $41,690
Upper School $50,700
Overall Average $40,840

    • Learn more about Financial Aid at Brimmer.

Brimmer and May School

69 Middlesex Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
617-566-7462
As an inclusive private school community, Brimmer welcomes students who will increase the diversity of our school. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, or any other characteristic protected from discrimination under state or federal law, in the administration of our educational policies, admissions practices, financial aid decisions, and athletic and other school-administered programs.