Affording The Little School
Diversity is one of the three founding pillars of The Little School, and socioeconomic diversity is an essential part of that commitment. We therefore provide discounted tuition to families in order to help them afford our school. Currently, our families receive a discount on tuition ranging from 5% to 99% of the cost of the program, including extended care and the summer program. While every family is expected to pay some portion of the tuition and to support the community to the extent that individual family circumstances permit, we do not expect tuition to be the same for everyone.
Our goal is to make The Little School accessible to all children and families who are committed to the mission of the School.
To support a socio-economically diverse and inclusive community, The Little School provides discounted tuition awards ranging from $500 to $33,000. Discounted tuition includes tuition and the summer program. The Little School encourages families to apply for discounted tuition, even if only a modest grant would make a difference.
Please find our full informational package here.
WHAT IS DISCOUNTED TUITION?
Some of our families pay full tuition and some receive a discount on the cost of tuition. Discounts range from 5% to 99% of the cost of tuition and extended care. We intend for our discounted tuition to serve a wide range of income levels. We do not guarantee that assistance will be granted to all who apply, but we do encourage all families for whom tuition represents an unreasonable burden (for whatever reason) to apply. Applications are processed and reviewed by The Little School Administrative Team. If discounted tuition is key to your attendance next year, speak with Kaile Thomas, Executive Director.
The discounted tuition process at The Little School is simple: applicants submit an online form, the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS), to School and Student Services (SSS). SSS is a third-party organization that keeps your information confidential. The PFS gathers information about family income, expenses, assets, liabilities and other factors that might influence a family’s ability to pay tuition. School and Student Services impartially analyzes the financial information families provide and computes a recommended family contribution for tuition.
The PFS is due to School and Student Services on February 1, 2025. IRS tax forms and supporting documentation are due to SSS by February 16, 2025. Families are encouraged to submit materials well in advance of the deadlines. To learn more about financial guidelines for families and best practices for schools, please read School and Student Services' Guiding Principles for Families.
Admission decisions and discounted tuition award information are sent to families in mid-March. Families apply for discounted tuition annually; however, if your income does not vary significantly year to year, you can expect to receive a similar percentage of discount each year.
Key Dates for Discounted Tuition Applications
September 25, 2024 - 4:00pm
In anticipation of the upcoming 2025-2026 Academic Year, Education Brands – SSS Financial Aid is hosting its free annual Family Night presentation for those interested in applying for financial aid.
During this one-hour virtual presentation, members of the Support Team will share valuable information and key aspects of applying for financial aid.
Register Here: https://communitybrands.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_q8Pc29lzRBW276DxnjwwQA
December 1, 2024
Admissions Applications Due to The Little School
January 14, 2025, 9:30-10:30am
Discounted Tuition Workshop - Please RSVP below:
March 1, 2025
Completed tax documents due to School and Student Services including:
1040 with all schedules and attachments
W2(s)
1099(s)
Paystubs
State Tax Return
Early Learning For All (ELFA)
The Little School is happy to be an Early Learning for All provider school. The Early Learning For All (ELFA) program helps provide universal access to preschool aged children in San Francisco. To determine eligibility, families can use this online application tool to check which tier they qualify for. The program offers two types of financial support: Fully-Funded Tuition for families earning up to 110% of the Area Median Income (up to $158,500 annually for a family of four), and Tuition Credit for families earning between 111%-150% of the Area Median Income (up to $224,800 annually for a family of four). Families eligible for Fully-Funded Tuition receive free enrollment, while those eligible for Tuition Credit get 50% off published tuition rates. Little School eligible families can apply by verifying their income, family size, and address on the form provided to you form the school in the Fall.
Last updated September 2024