Admissions

Affording a Leffell School Education

The Leffell School is committed to ensuring that an outstanding K-12 Jewish independent school education is accessible to as many families as possible. Socioeconomic diversity is a hallmark of our school community, and we are proud of the broad participation in our tuition assistance program. This confidential program is highly flexible, taking into account individual factors including income, assets, number of children in the school, and other financial obligations. If your family is interested in The Leffell School but unsure about your ability to afford the experience, we encourage you to apply for tuition assistance.

A Wide Range of Families Qualify

We believe that financial constraints should not be an obstacle to enrollment for a family who wants to be a part of the Leffell School community. Tuition reductions and grants through our highly discreet, individualized tuition assistance program are available even to families who may not think they are likely to qualify for assistance.

Individual family grant amounts may vary significantly based upon such personal factors as income, assets, number of children in other schools (including preschool and college), health care-related costs, and other family expenses, etc. The majority of families who benefit from our tuition assistance program have annual incomes below $300,000 per year, and our school has a very strong record of meeting the financial needs of these families. It is important for the community to be aware, however, that families at a wide range of income levels may qualify for reduced tuition through our program. Here are a few real-life examples of families who received tuition grants in order to ensure that our school would be affordable for them:

A family earning between $250,000 and $300,000 per year, with one child in our High School.
A family earning between $350,000 and $400,000 per year, who did not receive tuition assistance for their first enrolled child, but now receives assistance with two children in our Lower School.
A family with limited assets making between $550,000 and $600,000 per year, with two children in our High School, and one in college, with additional elder care expenses.
A family who has historically paid full tuition but is experiencing a situation that has temporarily reduced their income by a significant amount.

Tuition Assistance Process

To make the allocation process as straightforward, fair, and comprehensive as possible, we utilize the standardized FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment Application. FACTS is an independent company that is the national leader in financial aid assessment for independent schools. Families new to The Leffell School should note that a tuition assistance application can be processed only after the student’s admissions application is complete.

The following components are required in order for a tuition assistance application to be processed:

FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment Application
Copy of your most recently filed income tax return and W-2 forms (or other relevant tax documents)
Supporting tax return schedules
Explanatory letter or statement in support of application

The tuition assistance application is available beginning in late November each year. After a student’s admissions application has been processed and provided that the family has indicated a need for tuition assistance on the application, the school will send tuition assistance application details to new families. Returning families who currently receive tuition assistance will receive an application link annually for the coming year.

Deadline

The deadline for applying for tuition assistance for an upcoming school year typically takes place in January. Award decisions are communicated to new families in late February and to continuing families in early March.

Applications submitted after January will be considered based upon the availability of tuition assistance funds.

Contact Us

Please contact Chief Financial Officer Tracey Harris with any questions about the tuition assistance process. Tracey may be reached by email at tharris@leffellschool.org or by phone at 914-948-8333, ext. 8149.

Affordability FAQ

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

Does applying for tuition assistance have any impact on the admissions process?

No, a family’s financial situation is not taken into account in the admissions process. Financial information is reviewed by the tuition assistance committee, and awards are seen only by members of the committee and the business office.
What is the maximum income level that a family may have in order to be eligible for tuition assistance?

There is no defined income range for tuition assistance eligibility. The process takes into account several factors, of which income is one. Many families who did not expect to qualify for assistance based upon their income have received tuition assistance awards at The Leffell School. To determine eligibility, the school considers income, number of dependents, number of children enrolled in the school, support from family, and the assets of both parents. Most families adjust their spending priorities and carefully manage assets to be able to afford their children’s education.
Does the tuition assistance process determine awards that cover program fees as well as tuition?

Tuition assistance awards pertain to tuition and fees that are listed on the enrollment contract. They do not cover fees for programs that are charged separately. Examples of such programs include (but are not limited to) transportation, school lunch, and afterschool programs. The senior year Lev v’Nefesh experience in Poland and Israel includes its own tuition-assistance process.
Does the number of students that a family has in the school have an impact on its eligibility for tuition assistance?

Yes. There are many families in the school that do not qualify for tuition-assistance support when one child is enrolled in school, but do when a second or third child enrolls. Families that are concerned about the ability to afford a Leffell School education once multiple children are enrolled in the school are encouraged to apply for tuition assistance.
Should I complete multiple applications if I have more than one child applying for tuition assistance?

No. Only one application is required per family.
Is tuition that a family pays to other schools and universities taken into account as part of the tuition assistance process?

Yes. It is expected that the family will be applying for tuition assistance at these other institutions as well.
If a student’s parents are separated, divorced, or never married, how do they apply for tuition assistance?

Both custodial and non-custodial parents must apply for tuition assistance and applications may be entirely separate or completed jointly. Financial information is collected to determine the ability, not the willingness, of all parties to financially support the education of their children. The school considers the financial resources of all living parents and requires the cooperation of all parties before tuition assistance awards are determined, unless one of the parents has been assigned sole financial responsibility for the student’s education in a divorce decree. Financial information will not be viewable to another parent online if separate applications are completed, nor will the school share any financial information submitted by another parent. The Leffell School does not act as an intermediary between parents and asks that all parties involved communicate directly with each other regarding the education of their children. Potential applicants with complex situations can contact the school to determine a plan of action before submitting an application.
What is FACTS? How does the tuition assistance committee determine an award?

FACTS is a service that evaluates families’ financial information to arrive at the amount of tuition that a family could reasonably afford to pay each year. FACTS uses information you provide through an online application as well as your supporting tax documentation to make its determination. The Leffell School’s Tuition Assistance Committee considers the FACTS recommendation in addition to the family’s personal statement and other information to determine a family’s award.
Will my family have to repay the tuition assistance?

No. Tuition assistance is a grant, not a loan. If at some future date your family has the capacity to do so, we hope you will consider making a donation to The Leffell School Annual Fund in order to help keep a Leffell School education accessible to other families.

Tuition Schedule for 2024-2025

Grade

Total Tuition & Fees

$31,800

$33,800

2 through 4

$35,900

$36,300

$40,100

$45,300

9 through 11

$49,200

$49,200*

* Parents of Seniors Please Note: Tuition and fees for twelfth grade listed above do not include the cost of the Lev v’Nefesh Poland/Israel Experience.

Student activities that are part of the regular school program, such as overnight trips, are included in the total tuition and fees for all grades. The eighth-grade Israel trip is included in the tuition and fees and is designed to be the only Bnai Mitzvah gift the students give to their peers. Additional fees will be incurred for those who elect to participate in the optional hot lunch program or extracurricular activities and those who register for private bus transportation.

The Leffell School offers an optional plan to insure tuition and transportation fees in the event of the student’s withdrawal or dismissal. The plan and any exclusions are described in detail here.