The Variable Tuition program allows families to apply for an adjustment of their tuition based on each family's individual financial situation, making a Canterbury education affordable to qualified students who could not otherwise join our school community.

Any family of a Kindergarten through twelfth grade student may apply for Variable Tuition if they are concerned about affording the full tuition rate at Canterbury.

Many factors are taken into consideration when determining the amount of tuition a family is able to pay, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family. Additional resources (in addition to regular income) available for the family in a given year must also be considered when determining Variable Tuition awards available at Canterbury.

It is not possible for a family or the school to estimate the tuition level for which a family qualifies without the completion of a Variable Tuition application. Applications are submitted directly to TADS, a third-party agency. The TADS analysis of a family's estimated contribution is a critical component of our Variable Tuition decision used by our Variable Tuition Committee, along with any additional information regarding special circumstances, and the needs of our entire applicant pool.

Unfortunately, Canterbury is not able to provide Variable Tuition to every deserving student. We work within the available resources to make the school accessible to as many students and families as possible.

A wide range of families with a variety of circumstances qualify for the program, from those who are able to pay close to our full tuition to those who may pay less. Many unique factors are evaluated, including income, assets, unusual expenses, and the size of the family.

It is not. Canterbury asks families to make a financial investment in their child’s education. Our commitment to providing Variable Tuition means that we are sharing in that investment with you.

Click here. This will take you to TADS, the third-party service we utilize to help us determine the amount of Variable Tuition adjustment that is appropriate for your family. You will need to submit your federal income tax return, W-2 forms, and supporting documentation for non-taxable income.

Once all required information has been submitted to TADS, the process of approving and sending the Variable Tuition offer letter typically takes about two to four weeks. The offer letter will arrive by email.

Tuition Down Payments for the following school year are due by April 1. Families who have not submitted the Tuition Down Payment by this date will be considered not enrolled and their space will be released. Once the Tuition Down Payment has been paid, the student(s) are then added to the waiting pool, and placed on a class list as space becomes available.

It is important to submit the Tuition Down Payment so that Canterbury can plan staffing, enrollment for new families, and logistics for the following year. As incentive, there is an Early Tuition Down Payment discount of $300 if submitted by February 14.

The cost to submit an application to TADS for Variable Tuition is $29. This nonrefundable amount is collected by TADS, not by Canterbury.

Variable Tuition applications can be submitted as early as December 1 for the following school year. However, please be aware you must provide the most current year's tax returns for the application to be considered complete.

Our priority deadline is March 15 however, you can still apply after this date. Timing is an essential component of our Variable Tuition process and more resources are available the earlier you apply. You are welcome to apply after March 15 however, keep in mind that resources may be limited.

No. Only families who feel that they may not be able to pay our full tuition should submit an application.

Yes. In order to receive an adjusted tuition offer letter, you must first apply for admission and be accepted. Our resources are limited and we will only be able to offer Variable Tuition to students who have gained admission.

Yes. For new students, applying for admission to Canterbury and applying for Variable Tuition are two separate processes. However, new families may complete both application processes simultaneously.

No. Admission applications and Variable Tuition applications are evaluated separately, and an application for Variable Tuition has no bearing on the admission process.

Please contact the Canterbury Admission office if you are enrolling mid-year and are interested in Variable Tuition.

No. International Students are not eligible for Variable Tuition.

Yes. A new application must be submitted every year.

Yes. A family that does not qualify is welcome to reapply the following year.

New tuition amounts are set by the board at the end of each calendar year and posted online in January.