The cost of sending your child to private school can be extraordinarily high. Thankfully, private and government grants do exist to help with the costs. Some require that your child meet specific criteria, others are more generally applicable.
School Children
Function
In 2009, 11 percent of all United States students attended a private school, according to the Council for American Private Education. In the 2003 to 2004 school year, the average cost of private school attendance was $6,600, though it varied greatly among schools. Private and government grants are designed to alleviate some of these costs.
Government Grants
Government grants are tax-free funds that do not have to be paid back. Government grants are more popular for post-secondary school, however, some government grants for secondary school do exist. Many of these grants are geographically specific. For instance, the District of Columbia School Choice Incentive Program provides low-income parents residing in D.C. with funds (up to $7,500 per year) to send their child to a nonpublic high school of the parents choosing (ed.gov/programs/dcchoice). For information on government grants for high school, see the Department of Education site listed below.
Private Grants
Private grants are more numerous than government grants. Private grants are most commonly based on need and merit. However, some private grants can be quite specific. Many private grants are left behind by individuals who require that a student meet certain criteria, such as a particular nationality, talent or interest. One of the biggest resources for private grants is the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS). The NAIS recommends that parents consult the financial aid offices of the private schools, in addition to searching independently for private grants. Often, schools will offer grants for parents who have more than one child attending the school or who meet other criteria.
Tips
Grant applications often ask for detailed information about both the parent filling out the application and the child applying for the grant. Before filling out applications, it is best to gather all your financial information, including yearly earnings, tax information and information about any other funds that you may be receiving (i.e., child support, other grants, etc.). Additionally, most grants have strict deadlines, so it is in your interest to stay organized and be aware of these deadlines.
Other Options
Many parents may not be able to obtain a grant for their child's high school eduction. Other parents may need more assistance then the grant provides. Parents who find themselves in one of these two situations should consider loan programs or tuition payment plans. The difference between a grant and a loan is that a loan must be paid back. However, this may be a good option for those who need more time to make tuition payments.
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