Affording MA

At MA, we know that educational excellence means enrolling the most talented students from all backgrounds across the Bay Area, regardless of their ability to pay tuition. Therefore, we award nearly 4.5 million dollars annually in need-based Tuition Assistance towards both tuition and additional items and activities throughout a student’s time at MA to ensure that all students are able to fully access all that an MA education has to offer.

Tuition Assistance platform Clarity helps us process applications for TA. Based on the financial information you provide, Clarity gives us an estimated amount that your family can contribute to educational expenses. This helps our school make fair and objective tuition assistance decisions. Essentially, you will pay what you can afford. Families’ awards range from 9%-100% of MA tuition and everywhere in between.

To begin your Tuition Assistance application for the 2023-2024 school year, complete the Clarity Application online. The deadline to apply for Tuition Assistance through Clarity is the same as the admission application: January 9, 2024. All information regarding financial assistance is kept confidential. For more information on applying for Tuition Assistance, please see our Tuition Assistance Handbook, and feel free to reach out to Leslie Rojas, Tuition Assistance Coordinator.

The MA Promise

The MA Promise is a program that offers free tuition to admitted students whose family earns less than $100,000 per year (and have assets typical of this income range). And, for a family whose income exceeds $100,000, MA will continue to meet 100% of demonstrated need for ALL admitted families who apply for tuition assistance, up to 100% awards. Read more about MA Promise.

Required Steps for Completing Your Tuition Assistance Application

Information for New and Returning Families

Information for New and Returning Families

Steps for New Families

Step 1: Attend a tuition assistance affordability presentation

Step 2: New to MA Parents’ complete the Clarity Tuition Assistance application by January 9, 2024

Beginning September 2023 and before January 9, 2024 complete and submit the tuition assistance application at Clarity. The fee to complete your application is $60.00. If your family qualifies for a fee waiver, it will apply automatically. Clarity Customer Service can be reached at support@claritytuition.com. Create an account for the 2024-2025 school year. You can exit the tuition assistance application at any time, and then go back to complete it. After completing your application, you will be taken to the payment screen. Upon completion and payment submission, you will then be given the opportunity to upload any required documentation.

Step 3: Submit all required documents by January 9, 2024

Step 4: Submit 2023 W2s and/or 1099s by February 15, 2024

Step 5: Tuition Assistance Notification

Steps for Returning Families

Step 1: Complete and submit the Clarity Tuition Assistance application by December 15, 2023

Beginning September 2023 and before December 15, 2023 complete and submit the tuition assistance application at Clarity. The fee to complete your application is $60.00. If your family qualifies for a fee waiver, it will apply automatically. Clarity Customer Service can be reached at support@claritytuition.com. Create an account for the 2024-2025 school year. You can exit the tuition assistance application at any time, and then go back to complete it. After completing your application, you will be taken to the payment screen. Upon completion and payment submission, you will then be given the opportunity to upload any required documentation.

Step 2: Submit all required documents by December 15, 2023

Step 3: Submit 2023 W2s and/or 1099s by February 15, 2024

Step 4: Tuition Assistance Notification

Guide to Completing Your Tuition Assistance Application

Clarity Application Quick Reference Guide

Clarity Family Application Guide

Tuition Assistance Scenarios

MA is committed to fully funding students' demonstrated financial needs. To provide you with a sense of how a family’s income, assets, and the number of children in tuition charging schools (among other various factors) are incorporated to determine tuition for each student, the following scenarios are examples of MA families who receive tuition assistance. There are two major factors taken into account: the family’s total assets and a percentage of the family’s total debt. Please keep in mind that every family’s situation is unique, and each application will be thoroughly assessed to determine final eligibility.

Tuition assistance table for Marin Academy

FAQ about Tuition Assistance

If I'm admitted and receive funding, will I receive funding for all four years?

What about non-tuition expenses?

MA is pleased to cover most non-tuition expenses for ALL participants in our tuition assistance program at the same rate of their tuition assistance package. For example, if a family pays 50% tuition, they can expect MA to cover 50% of textbook costs, Bring Your Own Device computer costs, Minicourse costs, and other costs associated with the academic and co-curricular experience.

If I didn’t initially apply for Tuition Assistance, can I apply in later years?

No…but sometimes yes. MA fully allocates our Tuition Assistance budget with admissions decisions every year, and we do not hold back any extra funding for families who did not initially apply for TA. Therefore, we are not able to offer funding to families who did not initially apply. And we know that every so often families experience massive and unexpected changes of circumstance that alter not only their lives but also their ability to pay tuition, so if your family does experience such a precipitating event, please do reach out to Leslie Rojas to learn more.

MA Tuition Assistance Handbook

Other Resources:

The ABCs of Tuition Assistance

Tuition Payment Plans

Apply for Tuition Assistance

Required

In This Section