Investing in the Future: A Comprehensive Guide to Notre Dame High School Tuition and Financial Aid

Private school education represents a significant investment for families. Notre Dame High School aims to provide a quality education while striving to maintain reasonable tuition rates. This article provides a detailed overview of tuition costs, available financial aid options, and payment plans to help families navigate the financial aspects of a Notre Dame education.

Understanding Tuition and Fees

For the academic year 2025-2026, the tuition at Notre Dame High School is $19,700. In addition to the base tuition, each student is charged a $350 activity fee and a $450 e-textbook fee. These fees contribute to the overall educational experience, supporting various extracurricular activities and providing access to essential learning resources. The annual tuition and fees are billed over 11 months, from July to May, making it easier for families to manage their payments.

Notre Dame's Commitment to Accessibility: Tuition Assistance Programs

Notre Dame Schools are dedicated to making Catholic education accessible to as many families as possible. The school invests significant resources in its tuition assistance program to ensure affordability. While tuition is the school's largest source of revenue, it does not fully cover the cost of the college preparatory experience offered. The remaining costs are subsidized by the support of local parishes, alumni, and friends.

The goal is to help as many families as possible provide a Catholic school education for their children. The award program is need-based, meaning the greater the need, the greater the award. Funding for awards is available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so families are encouraged to complete their applications early to maximize their chances of receiving financial assistance.

Navigating the Financial Aid Process

The first step in receiving any financial aid is to start the application process with FACTS, a tuition management company. The FACTS application is a standardized form that assesses a family’s financial circumstances. The application typically opens on October 1, and families are encouraged to begin the process as soon as possible. The priority deadline for financial aid consideration is November 15.

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Families requesting tuition assistance are required to complete a new application every year. The Financial Aid Committee meets annually to distribute scholarships and grants before course registration for the following academic year. Students receiving an award must return the Award Acknowledgment letter to formally accept the award. Entering freshmen are awarded tuition assistance upon admission.

Types of Financial Aid Available

Notre Dame offers a variety of resources to help make an ND education possible, including merit scholarships, need-based grants, and payment plans. These resources are made possible thanks to the generosity of loyal alumni and donors who value their Notre Dame experience.

Need-Based Tuition Grants

Notre Dame awarded over $2 million in tuition assistance for families with demonstrated financial need for the 2024-2025 academic year. The financial aid committee considers each family’s individual circumstances and tailors the best possible plan to help make a Notre Dame education affordable. All financial aid awards are based on a family’s demonstrated financial need.

Merit Scholarships

Notre Dame values academic achievement and looks to recognize students for their academic performance and accomplishments. Merit scholarships are awarded to incoming students based on entrance exam results and seventh & eighth-grade report cards as part of their total financial aid package. Students do not apply for academic scholarships.

Performing Arts Scholarships

Notre Dame awards several four-year scholarships to incoming freshmen who plan to participate in the arts program. These scholarships are available for participation in Band, Chorus, or Dance and are renewable annually. This need-based scholarship totals $4,000 and is awarded over four years ($1,000 per year). This is awarded through the Cardinal Shehan Center, and recipients must have attended a Cardinal Shehan Center program during grammar school.

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Tuition Payment Plans

Notre Dame works with FACTS Tuition, a tuition payment plan provider, and offers several tuition plans through Smart Tuition to help families budget their tuition expenses. All tuition payments are made through FACTS tuition, which offers families multiple payment options, from full payment to ten payments. You will be able to select your preferred payment plan when you sign your tuition contract.

The available payment plans include:

Annual Plan: The full balance must be paid by July 1, 2026, via automatic withdrawal from a checking, savings, or Credit Card.
Semi-Annual Plan: 50% of the balance is due by July 1, 2026, and the balance paid in full by January 1, 2027, via an automatic withdrawal from a checking, savings, or Credit Card.
Ten-Month Plan: The balance is divided over 10 equal monthly payments (July 2026 through April 2027) via an automatic withdrawal from a checking, savings, or Credit Card.

Important Deadlines and Requirements

For ninth-grade applicants, applications for financial aid are available online beginning in October. If submitted by the November deadline, families are notified on or about December 15 of any financial aid award. If a financial aid application is completed after the November deadline, families may not be notified of a financial aid award until early May.

The Financial Aid Application is done online through FACTS. Your most recent tax return and W-2 Forms, in addition to a $30.00 fee, are required to complete the application. Returning families must also re-apply for financial aid on an annual basis.

Notre Dame Prep's Commitment to Socioeconomic Diversity

At Notre Dame Prep, the commitment is to make an NDP education possible for families from socioeconomically diverse backgrounds. The Financial Aid Office works to assist families for whom the cost of private Catholic school tuition is the only barrier to attendance. Although they cannot fully meet each family’s financial need, they will work collaboratively with families.

In order to receive financial aid in subsequent years, it is important to note that financial aid is based primarily on a family’s continued demonstrated need for funds.

Contact Information

If you have any questions concerning tuition, contact Laurie Cardone at (315) 724-5118, ext.

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