Tuition and Assistance

Some 33 percent of our families receive need-based tuition assistance, we meet 99% of families' demonstrated need, on average. St. John's Prep uses the services of Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (formerly Smart Aid) to process and determine need for all tuition assistance applications.

• Tuition Assistance Application: The Prep's Tuition Assistance application opened on November, 1, 2021 for all families. Families can apply here. St. John's Prep's School ID# is 14988.
• Prospective Families: Tuition assistance may be available for the 2022-2023 academic year.
• Current Families: Tuition assistance is not renewed automatically. Current students who receive tuition assistance must re-apply each year. The 2022-2023 academic year's deadline was January 7, 2022.
• Process and Forms: Blackbaud Financial Aid Management provides this helpful guide to the process, including a list of forms families will need to submit.
• Proceso y Formularios: Blackbaud Financial Aid Management provee esta guía para ayudar con el proceso de aplicación incluyendo una lista de los formularios requeridos.

The St. Francis Xavier Merit Scholarship is a $5,000 merit-based award for incoming freshmen of exceptional promise. Eligibility is based on admission test scores and a student's overall application. It is not necessary to submit a separate application for this scholarship. The award is given for each of a student's four high school years. Students who receive the St. Francis Xavier Merit Scholarship may also qualify for need-based assistance, so we encourage families to apply for tuition assistance.

Designed to foster excellence, promote leadership, nurture character development, and encourage service to others, the scholarship is named for St. Francis Xavier, patron saint of the Xaverian Brothers, the congregation of religious who sponsor St. John’s Prep and 12 other schools throughout the United States.

• PAYMENT: St. John's offers families multiple payment options, from full payment to ten payments. For families who chose to make multiple payments, there is a $350 annual payment plan fee. Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (formerly Smart Aid) also processes all tuition assistance applications for St. John's.
• FINANCING: For families interested in long-term financing, we also work with Your Tuition Solution for convenient fixed rate loan agreements. For more information, visit Your Tuition Solution or call 800-920-9777.

QUESTIONS? If you have any questions concerning tuition assistance, please contact the Finance Office at 978-774-1050 x323.

What is the application deadline for tuition assistance? Applications for grades 6, 9, 10, 11 are being accepted on a rolling basis for the 2022-2023 academic year. 

How does St. John's determine eligibility for tuition assistance? St. John's uses the Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (formerly Smart Aid) system to determine a family's expected contribution. When you complete the application, all of the financial and personal information that is provided is processed using a formula that determines the amount you will be able to pay. The remaining amount is your financial need.

What about divorced or separated parents? In the case of a divorce or separation, St. John's considers the financial resources of both parents before making an award. We require each parent to contribute as much as Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (formerly Smart Aid) calculates that each can afford. If either parent remarries, we take into consideration their obligations to their new family. We also consider the resources of a step-parent, keeping in mind that the primary responsibility to contribute to the cost of education rests with the child's parents.

If my son qualifies for a St. Francis Xavier Merit Scholarship are we still eligible for tuition assistance? Yes. Boys who qualify for the St. Francis Xavier Merit Scholarship are also eligible to receive need-based tuition assistance. Tuition assistance is awarded separately from merit scholarships.

When will I be notified about tuition assistance awards? Admitted students will receive their tuition assistance award letters along with their letter offering admission. Returning students will receive their tuition assistance award letters electronically through Blackbaud Financial Aid Management (formerly Smart Aid) by late March.

Can I appeal the amount of my family's award? We will consider requests for a review if a family wishes to provide relevant, new information it feels the school should have. Requests for appeals should be directed to Gianna Voccola, Assistant Head of School for Enrollment Management.

When is it too late to apply for tuition assistance? Tuition assistance is available on a limited basis for the 2022-2023 academic year.

Can you meet every family's need? In some cases, we may wait-list an applicant who qualifies for admission if we cannot meet their demonstrated need.