For most families, investing in an independent school education requires careful financial planning. As a school, we seek to admit talented and motivated students, regardless of family resources.
Triangle Day School is committed to creating awareness, developing cultural competence, and building a diverse and inclusive environment where all persons are valued for their unique qualities by enhancing the entire student body through socioeconomic, cultural, and geographic diversity. In fact, research has proven that a diverse environment leads to better learning outcomes for all students.
Families who feel the full tuition cost is out of their reach should not hesitate to visit or apply. We are here to help you determine the best options for your family with this very important educational investment.
We initially chose TDS due to the small class size and teacher:student ratio, the emphasis on character education in a secular environment, and the welcoming “community” feel that we experienced from our very first visit. Over time, our affection for TDS has only grown.
— Current Parent
22% of Students Receive Financial Assistance
We work to enroll the most dynamic student body possible, regardless of a family’s financial background. When determining a family’s eligibility for aid, Triangle Day School utilizes the FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment tool. This assessment takes into account a family’s income, savings, assets, and liabilities, as well as any special circumstances. Admissions decisions are made prior to evaluating families’ financial need, which is calculated by FACTS without regard to race, gender, ability, ethnicity, or religion, and all financial information, including award amounts, is kept completely confidential.
In addition to Financial Aid from TDS, we participate in and encourage parents to apply to the Opportunity Scholarship Program through the NC State Education Assistance Authority (NCSEAA). This program can award up to $5,900 per year towards tuition for eligible students that apply.
See if your family is eligible!
New families who apply to the Opportunity Scholarship Program by March 1 will be considered in the lottery.
We encourage all families to apply between February 1 and March 1!
2023-2024 Tuition and Fees
| GRADE LEVEL | TUITION |
|---|---|
| TK & K | $15,495 |
| 1st–5th Grades | $17,020 |
| 6th–8th Grades | $18,970 |
| ADDITIONAL FEES | |
|---|---|
| New Student Application Fee |
$80 |
| Building Fee one-time, for new students |
$1000 first student $500 |
| Tuition Refund Plan | 2.1% of the annual tuition charges |
| After School Program (optional) |
$25 per day longer-term contracts are available at a lower cost |
How to Apply for Financial Assistance
Grant & Aid Priority Deadline for New Families: February 3, 2023
Please complete the Grant & Aid application at the same time as your Admissions Application, if possible. This allows us enough time to process both applications and provide you with the information you need to join the TDS community!
FACTS charges a processing fee of $35 to submit the Grant & Aid application. If this presents a financial hardship, please contact the Admissions Office.
Yes. The Grant & Aid application must be completed by families each year they wish to be eligible for financial assistance.
All families will be asked to upload a copy of their 2021 federal tax return (form 1040) and W2. FACTS will specify any additional documentation necessary, based on the information you provide. These may include:
- Recent pay stub
- Business tax returns (if applicable)
- Letter explaining special circumstances (optional)
We understand that some employers will not send out 2022 W2 forms before the application deadline. Please upload your 2021 documents with your financial aid application. When you receive your 2022 W2 form, please upload it to your application, even if the deadline has passed.
Families receiving financial assistance will also receive a comparable discount (in percentage) on contracts for the After-School Program.
This program can award up to $5,900 per year towards tuition for eligible students that apply.
The Opportunity Scholarship Program provides annual scholarships of up to $5,900 per year so low-income and working-class children have access to schools that best meet their educational needs.
For the 2023-24 school year, the application period will begin February 1, 2023. Families may only officially apply for the Opportunity Scholarship through the NCSEAA website, and the Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC) team will help them every step of the way to apply and, if awarded, take the steps necessary to use their scholarship at TDS.
The household income limit has changed and more families than ever are now eligible! The income requirements are based upon the number of people in the household and gross annual income. Families who apply by March 1 will be considered in the lottery. We encourage all families to apply between February 1 and March 1!
In addition to qualifying by household income, the student must meet at least one of the following:
- Received the scholarship the previous year
- Enrolled in a NC public school or a Department of Defense school in NC for the prior semester
- Student was enrolled in a private school in spring 2022 AND enrolled in a public school during the entire 2020-21 school year*
- Is entering kindergarten, including students who turn 4 on or before April 16, 2022*
- Is entering first grade or second grade*
- Is a child in foster care (income requirements do not apply)*
- Adoption was decree was entered no more than a year prior
- Is a child with a parent on full time active duty status in the military or honorably discharged within 12 months of application*
*These changes impact the 2022-23 school year.
Participation in the Tuition Refund Plan is required unless tuition, fees, and other charges are paid in full on or before July 15th, in which case the plan is elective. This plan provides an allowance of tuition fees in the event of a student’s withdrawal.
The cost for the 2023-2024 academic year is 2.1% of the annual tuition charges, and is due and payable with the first tuition payment of the year.
TISC TALK Episode 3
Financial aid: How does it work? How do you apply? Who qualifies? All these questions and more are answered by Nancy Hayes and Margaret Mills, two admissions experts with decades of experience at Independent Schools.
Questions?
