Variable Tuition

Presbyterian Day School believes that there is no greater investment a family can make than in a child’s education. We know that many PDS families choose to realign their lifestyles in order to put their son’s educational needs first.

Presbyterian Day School awards over $1 million dollars in variable tuition each year.

To enroll a strong, diverse student body we provide a variable tuition scale to all types of families with many different levels of need. PDS encourages families with limited resources to apply for variable tuition based upon the presumption that the primary obligation for financing a student’s education rests with the family. Every family must contribute to their son’s tuition.

PDS has a need-based variable tuition policy grounded in the belief that no qualified student should be denied enrollment due to financial restraints. In light of these commitments, we earmark a significant amount of funds each year for variable tuition. PDS does not discriminate on the basis of race, national, or ethnic origin.

Recipients of variable tuition are expected to abide by the same academic and conduct standards of all other PDS students. To remain eligible for variable tuition, students must continue to qualify and must continue to maintain good standing in both academics and conduct. Positive and constructive relationships between parents and the school must also exist throughout the year. Families must apply yearly for variable tuition.

25% of our student body take advantage of our variable tuition model.

Applying for variable tuition does not affect one’s chances for admission; applicants are accepted without regard to a family’s financial situation.

In order to determine a family’s eligibility to receive assistance in a fair and equitable manner, PDS requires that all applicants for variable tuition complete the online Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) at Blackbaud Financial Aid Management and provide Blackbaud all required documentation.

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Why We Choose PDS

Catalano Family

Michelle and Denny Catalano have two sons and a daughter. Hear why they chose a PDS education for their sons.

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Policies

Variable Tuition applicants will submit all documentation to Blackbaud Financial Aid Management. This includes the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) and all required tax forms. The 2023 1040’s with all schedules, W–2’s, and pay stubs for September and October 2024 are due with Blackbaud on November 30, 2024, and 2024 1040’s with all schedules and W–2’s are due on April of 2025. Variable Tuitions are not set and not final until the PFS is verified with the 2024 documentation.

Divorced/Separated /Remarried/Never Been Married Parents

For parents who are separated or divorced, both parents are required to submit a separate but linked Parent Financial Statement (PFS) form online at Blackbaud Financial Aid Management. Both parents are also required to upload to Blackbaud current 1040’s with all schedules, copies of September and October 2024 pay stubs, and W–2’s.
PDS is not bound by the assertion, if it is made, that one parent is not responsible for educational expenses nor is it bound by court orders or divorce decrees. PDS considers every parent responsible for his or her son’s development and educational success, regardless of custodial or marital status.
If the non-custodial parent refuses to submit the necessary information, the application for variable tuition may not be processed.
If the custodial parent has not heard from the non-custodial parent, and the non-custodial parent is in no way involved in the upbringing of the applicant, the requirement of these forms may be waived by the Director of Admission and Enrollment Management. A letter of verification from a disinterested party (minister, attorney, etc.) may be required.
A copy of the divorce decree may be required.
In addition, PDS may request additional information from all parties and reserves the right to review on a case-by-case basis.
For parents who have never been married, if both parents are actively involved in the upbringing of the applicant, both are required to submit a PFS online and required documentation (current 1040‘s with all schedules, W–2’s, and September and October 2024 pay stubs) to Blackbaud.

Families Who Own a Business and/or Farm

All parents who own a business and/or farm may be required to furnish relevant information, such as balance sheets and cash flow statements, for substantiation.

Parents Who Do Not Work

PDS presumes that all adult family members will work to contribute to the investment of the child’s education. To that end, when the mother or father chooses not to work and there are no preschool children at home, or is a full or part time student, PDS will impute an annual income for the non-working parent.

Exceptions will be made if the parents are caring for a disabled child, parent, or grandparent, or critically ill child, parent, or grandparent. Consideration will also be given for the parent that is home-schooling children.

Waiting List

Every year applicants for variable tuition typically demonstrate more need than there are funds available. Therefore, it necessitates the creation of a waiting list. The school will allocate funds to those on the waiting list if they become available.

Delinquent Tuition Payments

In order to qualify for variable tuition for the next school year, a family must be current with the business office. In the event that a family is not current under their payment plan by March 1, variable tuition may not be awarded for the next school year.

Application Timeline

October 1, 2024
Blackbaud Financial Aid website open for parents to submit PFS and documentation online for the 2025–2026 school year. Please note there is a $35 fee to apply.
November 15, 2024
Deadline for families to complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) online through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management and for submitting 2023 income tax return with all schedules and 2022 W–2’s if they have not already been submitted. Also, pay stubs for September and October 2024 are due to Blackbaud at this time.
Mid-Late January 2025
Variable tuition funds are allocated to current families who have provided all forms and documentation to Blackbaud.
Mid February 2025
Variable tuition funds are allocated to new students whose families have provided all forms and documentation to Blackbaud.
April 2025
Deadline for all applicants to submit 2024 W–2’s and income tax returns with all schedules to Blackbaud.

Those applying for Variable Tuition after the November 15 deadline will be considered only if all paperwork is received and processed before funding is made in January and February. Depending on monies available, those applying after the initial funding is made in January and February may be put on a waiting list for variable tuition.

Variable Tuition

Variable Tuition grants are based on demonstrated need as determined by the needs analysis system of Blackbaud Financial Aid Management. Grants have no repayment requirements.

Variable tuition grants are funded through resources of Presbyterian Day School.
Financial need is determined by taking into account many factors, including income, expenses, assets, and liabilities of the student and the parents, as well as the number of children attending tuition-charging schools. College funds and student trust funds are considered assets. Ultimately the formula seeks to determine a family’s discretionary income — the income over which a family has choice as to how it is spent.
If requesting financial assistance, a family should invest in their son’s education before elective expenses such as secondary home ownership, club memberships, and expensive automobile leases/purchases. The Variable Tuition Grant Committee does not consider these and other elective expenses when determining eligibility for assistance.
The award for each family is based on the demonstrated need, number of families applying for tuition assistance, and the funds available. Typically grants are a percentage of the demonstrated need.
Grants are considered final only when all required information is received by Blackbaud, and the Director of Admission receives the signed Variable Tuition Agreement.
All financial information submitted by parents is held in strictest confidence by the Variable Tuition Grant Committee .
All grants are confidential agreements between the recipient family and the school; therefore, we respectfully request that families receiving grants not share this information with other parties.
PDS reserves the right to amend grants if new information comes to light.