Admissions

Tuition and Affordability

Tuition at Brimmer and May School

We are committed to making the Brimmer experience affordable. Any student who is enrolled or applying for admission is eligible to apply for financial aid. Financial aid and admissions decisions are made independently from one another.

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.

A Brimmer education is more affordable than you think!

How To Apply For Financial Aid

We are proud to use the Clarity Application to determine a family’s level of financial need. Needs are based on information such as assets, income, expenses, and debts.

The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete, and it is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. There is a $65 fee to submit (you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application at no additional charge). For current Brimmer families, the Financial Aid application deadline for the 2026-2027 school year is January 5, 2026. For new applicants to Brimmer, the deadline is January 23, 2026. *Please note that late applications may jeopardize your family’s chance of receiving financial aid.

List of 2 items.

  • Completed Financial Aid Applications Include

    • Completed Clarity application by January 5 (current Brimmer families) and January 23 (new applicant families), from all applicant parents/guardians (including spouses, if remarried).
    • Supporting documentation submitted in Clarity by February 6, 2026 (new applicant families only). This includes the following:
    1. A signed federal tax return (1040) with all supporting schedules from the previous tax year.*
    2. Copies of current year’s W-2s from all working parents.*
    3. 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.

    Once all 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. Although Brimmer and May grants more than five million in financial aid each year, we receive more applications for aid than money available.

  • 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.

Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ

List of 8 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 see the information below.

  • 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.

  • 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 Clarity application. 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.

Downloads

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

Event Recordings

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Tuition (2025-2026)

PK & K $42,950
Grades 1 - 3 $48,975
Grades 4 & 5 $55,350
Grades 6 - 12 $65,950

Extra Fees (2025-2026)

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 (2025-2026)

Percent of Student Body Receiving Aid
Lower School 30%
Middle School 22%
Upper School 36%
All School 30%

Average Award
Lower School $31,798
Middle School $45,309
Upper School $48,784
Overall Average $42,090

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.