Affording CFMS

Affordability is fundamental to CFMS. We intentionally keep tuition low and offer need-based financial aid to enable moderate and low-income families to access the lifelong benefits of a Montessori education.

Families with a wide range of income levels apply for aid. We welcome applications for tuition assistance and offer a variety of payment plans. At least 30 percent of our students receive some form of tuition assistance each year. CFMS also participates in several external programs that provide tuition assistance. (See below for details.)

If you are interested in CFMS for your child and have concerns about affordability, please contact our Director of Education, Kristi Medley, by phone or email.

Kristi@cfmschool.org; (202) 722-1520.

Timeline

  • In order to be considered for financial aid for the upcoming school year, financial aid applications must be received no later than February 28th.

  • Supporting Tax Documents are due by March 15th.

  • Families will be notified of financial aid award decisions by April 30th.

Applying for Financial Aid

We understand and appreciate the financial commitment families undertake in deciding to send their children to Christian Family Montessori School. We devote significant funds each year to a financial aid budget to assist families. To help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute to its student(s) education expenses, we use School and Student Services (SSS By NAIS) as a trusted third party.

The SSS determines relative affordability for each family based on estimates of financial ability for the school-year ahead backed up by documentation from the previous year. The SSS analysis of a family's "Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)" is a critical component of our financial-aid decision. However, it is just a start. To make our final financial-aid decisions, we use the SSS figures as the baseline for our own additional review, taking into consideration our total financial aid budget, other information we may have collected, our school's policies and priorities, and the needs of our entire applicant pool.

  • If you would like to see what is included on the SSS form before filling it out, you can see it here.

  • Our guide to applying for financial aid contains information you will need to complete the SSS form. You will also need your 2019 tax return as well as W-2s and other documents that you'll use for your 2020 tax filing.

  • Complete the SSS Parent Financial Statement form here.

  • Note: Please be as thorough as possible when communicating your family's financial situation. Depending on the overall need of our entire applicant pool and other factors, our school may not always be able to meet the full level of demonstrated need as calculated in the SSS Family Report.

  • If you have any other questions about the application or the financial-aid process, please call the CFMS office at CFMS@cfmschool.org; (202) 722-1520

Additional Resources

CFMS participates in several external programs that offer tuition assistance. The assistance provided may cover all tuition and fees for accepted students. We are happy to help families navigate these programs. For more information or assistance, please contact our main office.

Opportunity Scholarship Program The OSP provides tuition assistance to D.C. residents whose families meet the program's financial criteria.

Latino Student Fund Latinx students enrolled at CFMS and eligible for financial aid may apply for competitive scholarships from LSF.