Financial Aid - Cannon School

FINANCIAL AIDA Cannon education is rooted in relationships, curiosity, and belonging.

Cannon School's true value lies not in price, but in the connections, opportunities, and personal growth it inspires. We also recognize that investing in an independent school education is a meaningful commitment — and our need-based financial aid program helps make that experience accessible to families from all backgrounds.

Financial aid at Cannon is not a redistribution of tuition dollars—it’s a strategic investment in both access and community. Beyond financial support, it enriches our school by bringing together families with various socio-economic backgrounds and lived experiences in one shared space of learning and belonging.

To make the process simple and transparent, Cannon partners with the Clarity Tuition platform to process all financial aid applications. The application and required supporting documents assist our Financial Aid Committee in determining each family’s financial aid grant with care and consistency.

Financial Aid Grants by Grade Level Examples

Cannon School is generally able to offer grants within the dollar ranges listed below to families who demonstrate need and qualify for a financial aid grant.

Student Grade	Grant Range	Examples
JrK - Grade 4	$1,000 - $8,000	A grade 4 student is offered and accepts a grant equal to $3000. The tuition owed will equal the grade 4 tuition less the $3000 grant.
Grades 5 - 8	$1,000 - $11,000	A grade 7 student is offered and accepts a grant equal to $5,000. The tuition owed will equal the grade 7 tuition less the $5,000 grant.
Grades 9 - 12	$1,000 - $26,000	A grade 9 student is offered and accepts a grant equal to $9,000. The tuition owed will equal the grade 9 tuition less the $9,000 grant.

Financial Aid Application Guides

Clarity Step by Step

QUICK REFERENCE CLARITY GUIDES
(1 Page Document)
Quick Guide English
Quick Guide Spanish

COMPLETE CLARITY GUIDES
(31 Page Document)
Application Guide English
Application Guide Spanish

ADDITIONAL APPLICATION SUPPORT

Beyond Tuition
Financial Aid Policies

Financial Aid Policy for Cannon’s 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Chromebook Program
Financial Aid Policy for Cannon’s Upper School Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Program

Financial Aid Policy for Cannon’s 6th, 7th & 8th Grade Chromebook Program

The purpose of this policy is to highlight the mechanics of financial aid as it relates to the purchase of a Chromebook device from Cannon School, all required software/hardware and insurance/extended warranty coverage for the device (hereinafter, the “MS Technology Package”) as required by Cannon’s Middle School. Similar to textbooks, the MS Technology Package is required and as such Cannon will allocate funds to assist families who receive financial aid (hereinafter, “Families”) to partially offset the cost of such an investment. Specifics of the policy follow:

The MS Technology Package must be purchased from Cannon School.
Cannon shall reduce the cost of the MS Technology Package on a percentage basis as determined by dividing their financial aid grant by total tuition in the year of reimbursement (for example, if the financial aid grant is $10,000 and tuition is $20,000, then cost reduction for the technology grant = 50%).
Cannon’s maximum one-time award for the MS Technology Package shall not exceed $450.

Financial Aid Policy for Cannon’s Upper School Bring-Your-Own-Device (BYOD) Program

The purpose of this policy is to highlight the mechanics of financial aid as it relates to the purchase of a personal computing device, all required software/hardware and insurance/extended warranty coverage for the device (hereinafter, the “US Technology Package”) as required by Cannon’s Upper School. Similar to books and class-wide field trips, the US Technology Package is required and as such Cannon will allocate funds to assist families who receive financial aid (hereinafter, “Families”) to partially offset the cost of such an investment. Specifics of the policy follow:

The US Technology Package purchased by Families must meet all the requirements as specified by Cannon’s Upper School to qualify for a technology grant.
Cannon shall reimburse Families for the US Technology Package on a percentage basis as determined by dividing their financial aid grant by total tuition in the year of reimbursement (for example, if the financial aid grant is $10,000 and tuition is $20,000, then reimbursement rate for the technology grant = 50%).
Cannon shall reimburse Families a single time for the total cost of the US Technology Package. Peripherals and other accessories shall not be covered.
Cannon shall require Families submit the original receipts to Cannon before reimbursement can be made. Provided there is no outstanding balance on the student’s account, the reimbursement can be made as a credit on the financial aid student’s account or payment to Families. In the event there is an outstanding balance on the financial aid student’s account, the technology grant shall be used to pay down the outstanding balance.
Cannon’s maximum one-time award for the US Technology Package shall not exceed $1,000 in the student’s 9th grade year, $750 in the student’s 10th grade year, $500 in the student’s 11th grade year and $250 in the student’s 12th grade year.
In any event, the maximum lifetime technology grant shall not exceed $1,000 per financial aid student toward the purchase of the US Technology Package during the financial aid student’s enrollment in Cannon’s Upper School.
In the event that a financial aid student, who has received a financial aid grant from Cannon, withdraws prior to graduation, the technology grant for the purchase of the US Technology Package shall be removed from the financial aid student’s account on a pro-rated basis based on the number of years remaining until graduation.

Questions?
Email Bill Diskin
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AIDFinancial Aid Applications
due January 15, 2027.

People, Purpose, and Possibility
At Cannon, financial aid isn’t simply about affordability — it’s about creating classrooms and communities where every student belongs, contributes, and thrives.

FINANCIAL AID PURPOSE STATEMENT & PRIORITIES

Special Funds

If your family could benefit from additional support beyond financial aid, we encourage you to explore these special funds available to currently enrolled Cannon students. Supported by generous donors, these funds help students participate fully in the Cannon experience, regardless of financial circumstances. Each fund has unique eligibility criteria, and we invite families to review the options and consider applying for a fund that best fits their needs.

Contact Admission Office to Learn More

The Accessibility Fund

Equity of Experience Endowment

John Riley Endowment for Science, Service, and Travel

Matthew “Wheels” Wheeler Athletic Endowment

When we first explored Cannon, we wondered whether we would truly fit in. But the moment we stepped onto campus—walking the halls, meeting teachers, and experiencing the warmth of the community—we knew we belonged."
— Current Cannon Parent
Every Family's story is unique. We invite you to start the conversation and discover how Cannon School can be part of your family's journey of Growth.

Financial Aid FAQS

Q: Who can apply for financial aid at Cannon?

Q: How are grant amount decisions made?

Q: Does applying for financial aid affect admission decisions?

Q: Is financial aid the same every year?

Q: Does Cannon participate in the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship?

Cannon School will conclude its participation in the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship after the 2025–2026 school year. As an independent school, Cannon remains committed to providing a learning experience guided by our mission, values, and the needs of our students. This decision reflects our ongoing work to design programs and curriculum that prepare students for a future of purpose and possibility.

Families seeking tuition support are encouraged to explore need-based financial aid through Clarity Tuition and to research other opportunities that may meet their needs.

Q: Does financial aid cover more than tuition?

Q: Does Cannon School offer scholarships?

Q: Who is required to complete the financial aid application if parents are divorced?

Cannon School expects parents to contribute to the educational costs for their children to the full extent they are financially able. This principle applies to all parents, even those who are separated or divorced. Both parents are expected to file all of the necessary forms and to comply fully with all of the guidelines and requirements of the aid process. Thus, tax returns and forms are required of all parents. The custodial and non-custodial parent must each fill out the Clarity Tuition application. Remarriage of either natural parent creates a new family unit with new relationships, but since the parents still have a parental obligation, the income and assets of the entire family unit (including new family units and step-parents) are viewed as relevant for the purposes of calculating a family's level of need. Cannon School considers the obligations of the parents to their new family situation in determining the grant, but will not allocate the grant on a proportional basis among the families.

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