Understanding Parker School Tuition, Costs, and Financial Aid

Parker School, like many independent schools, recognizes that investing in education is a significant financial undertaking for families. Parker School is committed to making its education accessible to a diverse range of students. This article breaks down the tuition structure, associated costs, and financial aid opportunities available to families considering Parker School.

Parker School's Commitment to Affordability

Parker School is aware that while a Parker education is an opportunity of a lifetime for students, it is a significant financial investment for families and may feel out of reach for some. Parker is committed to removing obstacles for students and ensuring that all students can fully partake in the life of the school on equal terms. Parker School’s financial aid philosophy is to make the cost of a Parker School education affordable for as many families as possible, with the limited supply of funds it has available each year for financial aid. Parker’s Financial Assistance program has been in existence since 1901 when the school was founded and is an inherent part of the school’s philosophy and community life. This year our Financial Assistance Program provided more than $6.5 million dollars to 20% of our students demonstrating financial need, with an average award of $35,000. At Parker, financial empowerment through this program offers more than just tuition assistance.

Tuition and Associated Costs

When the Board of Trustees sets tuition for the coming school year, they take seriously the significant financial commitment, planning, and sacrifice a Francis Parker education requires of all our families. and include snacks and lunch. are also available. Additional expenses may be incurred during the school year. This is a list of estimated expenses by division that parents may budget for their child.

Payment Options

Francis Parker School of Louisville offers the following payment options for parents. The tuition balance is due by June 1, 2025, unless you elect to participate in the tuition payment plan. Families wishing to pay their tuition in a single payment should submit the full amount due to the School by June 1, 2025. Families may opt for pre-authorization to automatically withdraw the balance owed in 12 equal monthly installments via ACH (Automated Clearing House). Payment plans begin June, 2025 and end May, 2026. A 5% service fee will be charged on the total cost of tuition and all associated fees, less the deposit. All monthly installments are required to be paid through FACTS Management.

Tuition Refund Plan

Francis Parker partners with A.W.G. Dewar to offer a Tuition Refund Plan, which is currently in use at over 1,200 leading independent schools and colleges. Your financial obligation to the School is for the full annual tuition as stated in your Enrollment Contract, regardless of if your student is forced to withdraw during the academic year. If your student withdraws, the Tuition Refund Plan will pay benefits (subject to the terms of the policy and the amount insured) to the school, which provides substantial assistance in meeting your financial obligation. The cost of Dewars Tuition Insurance is 1.5% of your tuition.

Understanding Financial Assistance at Parker School

If you have submitted an application for admission and are concerned about paying the full cost of tuition and fees, please consider applying to our Financial Assistance Program. This process is separate from the application for admission process. To be considered for financial assistance at Parker, families must complete the steps of the financial assistance process listed below. Francis W. Parker School offers financial assistance to students on a demonstrated need basis, and Clarity assists Parker in making financial assistance decisions. Through its analysis of the Grant & Aid Application, Clarity provides a basis to measure each family’s needs. Complete all parts of the application provided by Clarity. Before completing the application, carefully read all instructions. Any omission on the application could result in a delay in awarding financial aid. Submit copies of your filed 2024 Federal Income Tax Return, including all schedules, W-2s and 1099s, with your Clarity application. Inquiries will be kept strictly confidential. Once you have completed an application, along with required documentation, the Financial Assistance Committee will consider your application. The Committee consists of a small number of administrators. If you think you may be unable to pay full tuition and fees, you should apply for financial assistance. The amount of tuition that a family should be expected to pay is based on the family’s financial need. Financial need is defined as the difference between the family’s resources and its total educational expenses. The major factors affecting financial need include the family’s net income and assets, debts and liabilities, the number of dependents and the number of children attending schools and colleges charging tuition. No. Net income is just one of the factors used when determining whether or not a family qualifies for financial assistance. Assets, debts and number of dependents also have considerable influence in the financial assistance process. Parker’s Program serves families with a broad range of income levels. Even “middle income” families may be eligible. The financial assistance application process is hosted by a third-party company called Clarity. Clarity analyzes your financial assistance application and recommends an amount that your family should be able to afford for educational expenses. Within the limitations of our budget and according to our financial assistance policies, Parker uses the recommendation to determine a baseline amount of financial assistance to offer. Note: Parker makes every effort to meet the full financial need of each qualified family. No. Families are required to reapply for financial assistance each year. However, once financial assistance is awarded, it is reasonable to expect that financial assistance will be awarded each year provided that the family’s financial situation has not substantially changed and the student is in good standing. Both parents or guardians-and their current spouses or life partners, if any-must complete the financial assistance application process. All information will be held in strict confidence. If this process is not completed by both parents or guardians, the Financial Assistance Committee may be unable to award financial assistance. Parker will consider the income and assets of both parents or guardians and is not bound by the assertion that one parent or guardian has responsibility for educational expenses.

The Role of TADS

Parker School utilizes Tuition Aid Data Services (TADS) for administering financial aid. TADS provides a framework through which household needs can be measured fairly and equitably. Recommendations from TADS are used by Parker School’s financial aid committee in accordance with its policies to determine the award amount. A $60 processing fee will be collected by TADS at the end of the online application. Parker School has a limited number of fee waivers for those experiencing financial hardship.

Required Documentation for Financial Aid

Tax returns are required to support the financial aid application. The required supporting documentation will be outlined at the beginning and end of the online application and is tailored specifically to what is entered on your application. Typically, TADS requires your most recently filed 1040 tax form (or verification of non-filing status from the IRS), your most recent W-2 statements, your most recent pay stubs as well as documentation of the stated debt on your application. TADS is here to help!

Reapplying for Financial Aid

Once awarded financial aid, families must reapply annually, however, unless there are drastic changes in a family’s financial situation, families can count on consistent aid awards year after year.

Key Dates and Deadlines

We are committed to making a Francis Parker education accessible to all who are admitted. The Priority Deadline for prospective and returning families to complete the FACTS Application for Financial Aid for the 2026-27 school year is December 19, 2025. Click here to submit your FACTS Financial Aid Application (our school code in FACTS is 726). Families who have met the Priority Deadline will be notified by February 6, 2026, with award details. Families are required to apply for financial aid each year.

Financial Aid Statistics

We are committed to making a Francis Parker education accessible to all who are admitted, and as such, over 40% of the student population receives some form of aid to attend. This commitment to diversity and scholarships makes us truly unique among other local, as well as national, Independent Schools. In providing tuition assistance to students and their families, our financial aid helps cultivate a student body that more accurately reflects the diversity of the Louisville community. This allows our students to learn to appreciate and work with people from a variety of religious, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds, which is critical to achieving our mission.

Merit-Based and Need-Based Scholarship Opportunities

The Merit Scholarship Competition for incoming 6th and 9th graders is held in January each year and awards scholarships of up to $5,000 per student. The 6th grade awards are three-year renewable $1,000 scholarships and the 9th grade awards are four-year renewable scholarships and may be up to $5,000. Applications (including shadow day) must be completed prior to the Competition.

Stu Cipinko Scholarship: Named in honor of longtime, beloved Francis Parker history teacher Stu Cipinko’s dedication to the highest level of intellectual rigor in the humanities areas of history and English, this scholarship is awarded to an incoming 9th grade student during our Merit Scholarship Competition. This need-based scholarship is awarded annually to students from historically marginalized groups. These scholarships may be awarded each year to two or more qualified students.
New American Scholars: This need-based scholarship is awarded to students who are immigrants themselves or who are the children of immigrants. These scholarships are normally awarded annually, but depend on the application of relevant students; there can be one or more New American Scholars per year.
Michael Carnighan Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is named in memory of Francis Parker alumnus Michael Carnighan G’84, ’88 and awarded to a student who demonstrates financial need and demonstrates enthusiasm and aptitude in science and/or mathematics. To qualify, applicants must compete in our Merit Scholarship Competition in January. This renewable scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming 9th grader.
Madison Cawein Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is named in honor of Madison Cawein, former Francis Parker artist-in-residence. This scholarship is awarded to a student who has talent and passion for art, and who demonstrates financial need. This renewable scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming 9th grader.
Francis Parker School Beginning Scholarship: This need-based scholarship is awarded to a passionate student who demonstrates financial need and demonstrates enthusiasm for a new beginning at Francis Parker School of Louisville. This renewable scholarship is awarded annually to an incoming 9th grader new to Francis Parker School of Louisville.

Financial Aid at Robert C. Parker School

The financial aid program at Robert C. Parker School was created to assist parents whose children would otherwise be unable to attend the school. It is available to children in Kindergarten through grade 8. Although applications for financial aid always exceed available resources, we try to direct aid to as many students as possible. Please note that applying for financial aid has no bearing on a student's chances for admission. Over 50% of students in grades K - 8 receive some amount of financial aid. Parker also has scholarships available to promote socio-economic and racial diversity.

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