Tuition & Tuition Assistance

Tuition is determined annually by the Board of Trustees. The 2024-2025 school year full-day tuition is $39,230. Field trips, overnights, and special programs create added costs for a family over the school year. Typically, the average additional cost totals around $800 per student. Financial assistance is available for both required curricular events and optional after-school programs.

Applying for tuition assistance and applying for admissions at UCDS are two separate processes. Admissions decisions are need-blind meaning tuition assistance applications are processed and reviewed solely by our Business Office. Awards for new families are granted after admissions decisions are made.

How Do I Apply for Tuition Assistance?

Submit an online application with Clarity by February 14, 2025. If applications are submitted late or with incomplete information, families may receive a lesser award for which they might be eligible.

To get started, go to Clarity and create an account. The Clarity application is mobile-friendly, typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete, and you are able to save your progress and return at any time.

For 2025-2026 school year applications, Clarity will automatically pull your 2023 tax return and any supporting documents including W-2s and 1099s. The UCDS Tuition Assistance Committee may also ask for additional documents as needed.

You may also provide a narrative with additional information you want to call to the attention of the UCDS Tuition Assistance Committee. The narrative can be included with your Clarity application or it can be sent directly to the UCDS Tuition Assistance Committee.

Tuition Assistance Decisions

Final decisions by the UCDS Tuition Assistance Committee will be based on the most recent tax year’s data. If the most recent year’s document is unavailable before February 14, 2025, a tentative award may be made based on the previous year’s tax data. This award will be contingent upon receipt of the most recent tax year’s data (due no later than April 15, 2025) and may fluctuate according to changes in your financial situation.

Families new to UCDS will be notified of their tuition assistance award decision when they receive their enrollment contract. Current UCDS families will be notified by the end of March.

Discover webinars hosted by Clarity tailored for families, covering specific topics or offering a comprehensive overview of tuition assistance applications.

Each session includes a Q&A segment. Click the links below to register. If you miss the live session, you can still register to watch the replay.

• October 28 – East Coast, 3:30 pm PT
• October 29 – West Coast, 7:00 pm PT
• December 10 – All/Any, 5:30 pm PT

Here are a few brief videos that may be helpful as you complete your application.

• How to Add an Additional Student Applicant
• How to Add Another School After Submitting Application
• How to Edit Student Data After Submitting Application
• How to Open & View a Communication in Clarity

Below are a couple helpful guides provided by Clarity.

• 2025-26 Family Application Guide
• 2025-26 Quick Reference Guide

Clarity Family Support Contact Information:

• In-app support through the “Help” button in the lower left corner
• Email support at support@clarityapp.com
• Phone support at 206-210-3752

Standard Hours (April through September):
Monday to Friday, 5:00 am to 5:00 pm PT

Extended Peak Hours (October through March)
Monday to Friday, 5:00 am to 8:00 pm PT
Saturday and Sunday, 5:00 am to 2:00 pm PT

Your Tuition Solution

Your Tuition Solution specializes in fixed-rate K-12 education loans. You may borrow up to the full tuition cost minus any tuition assistance you receive. The minimum you can borrow is $1,000. Terms are available from 24 to 84 months. Interest rates are as low as 3.99% APR.

For additional information, see the Your Tuition Solutions website.

Coverdell Education Savings Account

Coverdell Education Savings Accounts (“ESA”) provide a means for investing post-tax dollars into an investment fund that can be used to defray the costs of education for students in elementary and secondary schools, as well as for college. Distributions are tax-free, provided they comply with IRS regulations for the ESA. For additional information, see the IRS website. You should consult with your tax advisor regarding these financing tools.

Questions?

We strive to build personal connections with families, so please don’t hesitate to call or email. For any questions about tuition assistance at UCDS, Clarity, or any financing options, please contact Jill Eagle at tuitionassistance@ucds.org.