Admissions
Affording Baldwin
Let's face it: independent school education is indeed a significant investment, but at The Baldwin School, we are working to redefine its affordability. We understand the financial pressure it can place on many families and are here to help. Our approach to financial aid supports families and makes private education more accessible than ever.
As a leader in education, Baldwin is committed to changing the perception that financial assistance is only for some families. Our tuition assistance program inclusively evaluates each family based on their unique circumstances, helping them to afford the best all-girls education for their students. We are here to support you in your educational journey.
At Baldwin, we are about much more than academic excellence. We're about diversity, community and life-long connections. Baldwin also recognizes that diversity comes in many forms, from athletic and creative talents to STEAM and leadership skills. This deep commitment to diversity ensures that all mission-appropriate students have access to the best all-girls private school education in Pennsylvania.
As a leader in education, Baldwin is committed to changing the perception that financial assistance is only for some families. Our tuition assistance program inclusively evaluates each family based on their unique circumstances, helping them to afford the best all-girls education for their students. We are here to support you in your educational journey.
At Baldwin, we are about much more than academic excellence. We're about diversity, community and life-long connections. Baldwin also recognizes that diversity comes in many forms, from athletic and creative talents to STEAM and leadership skills. This deep commitment to diversity ensures that all mission-appropriate students have access to the best all-girls private school education in Pennsylvania.
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Application Process
The Baldwin School partners with Clarity to host our financial aid application, which is used to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share.
Step 1 – Preparing to Apply- Please take a few moments to review the Clarity Quick Reference Guide and the Family Application Guide before you begin the application. Whether this is your first time or you have completed the Clarity application in the past, it is a valuable guide for you to follow!
Step 2 – Completing your Financial Aid Application- To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account.
- The Clarity application typically takes about 30 minutes to complete and enables you to save your progress and return at any time. Please be sure to adhere to the submission deadlines.
- Please use your legal name, as it appears on your Federal Income Tax 1040 form, as well as your daughter’s legal name, as it appears on her birth certificate and Baldwin application for admission. Variations in name, you or your daughter(s), can result in a delayed evaluation for financial assistance.
- You will be asked to e-sign a Form 4506c document that authorizes Clarity to securely retrieve your tax transcripts from the IRS. This is required in order to verify income and financial information.
- At the end of the application, you will need to submit a $60 fee.
Step 3 – Additional Documents- You may be asked to submit additional documents. Please be sure to monitor any requests for additional documentation.
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Timeline
December 1: Deadline to submit your financial aid form online.
Applications received after the December 1 deadline will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. If eligible, awards will be granted depending on availability of funds.January/February: Notification of Financial Aid decisions will begin.- Current families are asked to respond within two weeks of receipt of financial aid award. In the event, we do not hear from you within the time-frame, funds may be rescinded.
- New families have until February 15, 2025 to respond. Families receiving awards after February 15, 2025 should refer to the dates included in the financial aid award letter. In the event, we do not hear from you within the established time-frame, funds may be rescinded.
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Financial Assistance Policies
The Baldwin School is committed to helping families from a range of economic backgrounds have access to our education for their daughters. The process serves our mission of providing the Baldwin experience for talented and motivated students.
Criteria used when evaluating the Financial Aid Application- Parental responsibility – The primary responsibility for tuition rests with the family. In evaluating financial information, The Baldwin School Financial Aid Committee takes into account the number, ages and schools of children, additional dependents, assets and all sources of income. In addition, we consider lifestyle choices, debts, expenses and spending priorities. Applicants are expected to adhere to all application deadlines. You are responsible for submitting the paperwork on time.
- Priority - Priority for financial assistance is given to families who complete the Clarity application accurately, submit all required documentation and adhere to all deadlines. In order to be considered for assistance, you must complete the required paperwork on time. It is important to maintain your Baldwin account in good standing (“on time”).
- Need-blind admission - Financial aid decisions are made independently from admissions decisions once an offer of admission has been made. New students must be accepted first through the admission process, and then are considered for financial aid through a separate process.
- Need-based awards - Financial aid grants are awarded on the basis of a family’s demonstrated financial need. Eligibility for aid is determined by the School’s Financial Aid Committee based on its evaluation of the financial aid application hosted by Clarity, and a copy of the family’s current and complete Federal Income Tax forms, supporting schedules and W-2 forms
- Non-working parent – Recognizing that each family bears the primary responsibility for financing education costs, if one parent chooses not to seek employment, the School imputes an annual income for a non-working parent. Exceptions are made if the parent is caring for a non-school age child or an elderly parent.
- Confidentiality – Recognizing the sensitivity of personal financial issues, we guarantee the confidentiality of the process and expect families to maintain the confidentiality of any award information, as well
- Renewal – Financial assistance is evaluated each year based on demonstration of continued financial need, as well as evidence that the recipients continue to exhibit satisfactory academic progress, good citizenship and favorable financial standing with The Baldwin School Business Office.
- Awarding - Applying for financial assistance does not guarantee that you will be eligible for an award. Nor does being eligible guarantee that there will be financial aid available.
- For all families, full participation is expected of both biological parents, stepparents and/or the adults with whom the child lives, has custody or has financial influence and responsibility in the student’s life.
- In the process of evaluating a family’s financial situation, the financial aid process requires the complete documentation of all parties and the full transparency of all those identified in the categories listed above, regardless of divorce, separation or estrangement. A financial aid award will not be issued unless we have required information from all parties.
- The Baldwin School is not bound by any decrees, agreements or legal documents excusing a parent from financial responsibility for his or her child’s education.
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Resources
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Tuition and Fees
2024-25 Tuition
Lower School:- Full Day Pre-K $24,400
- Kindergarten $26,800
- Grade 1 $29,200
- Grade 2 $31,500
- Grade 3 $33,900
- Grade 4 $35,000
- Grade 5 $36,900
- Grades 6 - 8 $39,500
- Grades 9 - 12 $43,900
We are sensitive to the extracurricular costs associated with attendance at Baldwin, which is why we include the following items in the cost of tuition.- Lower School: Class trips, class dues, textbooks and supplies.
- Middle School: Class trips and class dues.
- Upper School: Class trips, class dues, class ring, ring dinner, junior blazer, junior/senior banquet, formal dances, PSAT, basic yearbook ad and graduation.
Uniforms, Middle and Upper School textbooks, laptop, lunch, certain class fees, certain athletic team fees. International students who have been issued an F-1 Visa will be responsible to pay an annual $3,000 International Student Fee. -
Tuition Payment Plan
We offer four tuition payment plans for the 2024 – 25 academic year:Plan A* - Full Payment Plan
Pay the full year tuition on or before July 1, 2024.
Plan B* – Two Payment Plan
This plan allows for payment of tuition charges in two installments. Payment of 60% is due in July of 2024 and the remaining 40% is due in December of 2024. Selection in this plan requires enrollment in the Tuition Fee Insurance Plan, as well as a Smart Tuition maintenance fee.
Plan C*- Ten Month Payment Plan
The Baldwin School partners with SmartTuition to provide you with this affordable and convenient option. This plan allows you to pay 10 monthly installments beginning in June 2024 and continuing through March 2025. No interest charges are associated with this plan. Selection in this plan requires enrollment in the Tuition Fee Insurance Plan, as well as a SmartTuition maintenance fee.
Plan D* - Twelve Month Payment Plan
Partnering with SmartTuition, this plan allows you to pay 12 monthly installments beginning in April 2024 and continuing through March 2025. No interest charges are associated with this plan. Selection in this plan requires enrollment in the Tuition Fee Insurance Plan, as well as a SmartTuition maintenance fee.*The $2,000 non-refundable enrollment deposit will be credited against total tuition charges.
