Financial Aid FAQs

Cannon School partners with School and Student Services (SSS) to process financial aid grants. A financial aid committee (Director of Financial Aid, Director of Business and Finance, Associate Director of Admission), following qualification guidelines reported by SSS, determines the amount of each applicant's annual grant.

After receiving the financial profile information submitted by the family, SSS generates a report, the Estimated Family Contribution (EFC) which details an estimate of a family's ability to pay independent school tuition. Our Financial Aid Committee uses the EFC to guide its decision of the grant amount to be offered. Note that there are opportunities within the SSS application process for families to articulate short-term financial difficulties that might temporarily impact their ability to pay full tuition.

Once the financial aid committee reaches a decision, the family is notified via electronic letter. Parents sign and submit an acceptance of grant letter and Cannon’s billing office adjusts their account accordingly. Typically, financial aid decision notification letters are sent to families between March 1 and March 20.

Financial Aid covers:

• Tuition
• Textbooks
• Required overnight class trips
• Technology fees

Financial Aid does not cover:

• Bus transportation
• After School Program
• Arts/music supplies or instruments
• Athletic equipment/team packs

Cannon School does not offer academic, arts, or athletics scholarships. However, we do offer a robust need-based financial aid program administered through School and Student Services (SSS).

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 SSS Parents Financial Statement. 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.

Financial is a grant rather than a loan and is not owed back to the school.

No financial aid grant covers the full cost of tuition at Cannon School. Families receiving the "maximum" grant at Cannon are required to pay $3,000 per year, per student for tuition. (Please note that some fees associated with attending Cannon School are not covered by financial aid grants.)

Yes, application for financial aid must be submitted by February 15 each year.  Application received after the deadline will be processed if funds are available.

Cannon School's financial aid program is administered in the strictest of confidence. We request that recipients and their families keep their grant information confidential as well.

Visit School and Student Services' Frequently Asked Questions webpage.