Harding Academy | Tuition & Financial Aid

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Affording Harding Academy

We believe that a Harding education should be accessible to qualified students from a wide range of backgrounds and experiences. Through our Financial Aid program, we partner with families to make a Harding education possible.

To be eligible for Financial Aid, families must demonstrate a financial need, which is defined as the difference between the school’s tuition and fees and what a family can reasonably contribute. Harding assesses financial need using the analysis of Clarity.

If you anticipate that Financial Aid will be needed, we encourage you to apply. The Clarity Financial Aid application is available HERE. The application will require information about your financial resources and commitments, as well as a copy of your previous year’s tax return.

Tuition


2027-2028 PreK	$23,700
2026-2027 Grades K-5	$27,650
2026-2027 Grades 6-8	$31,200

Those accepted for admission pay a non-refundable $1,000 deposit with their contract, which is applied toward tuition.

Please note that tuition does not include the cost of activity fees, textbooks, personal supplies, or the optional lunch program. Fees are detailed HERE.

Financial Aid Procedure and Policies

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

What is Financial Aid?

Financial aid is tuition assistance based on a family’s demonstrated financial need. It allows families who might not otherwise be able to afford Harding Academy to join and remain part of our community. Financial aid is not a loan and does not need to be repaid.
Important Information About Financial Aid
At Harding, financial aid is:
- Need-based: Harding does not offer merit scholarships; all aid is awarded based solely on demonstrated financial need.
- Annual: Families must reapply each year, as awards are not automatically renewed.
  Reviewed by a third party: Harding uses Clarity, a secure platform, to collect and assess financial data fairly, objectively and consistently.
How Financial Aid is Determined
Financial Aid is available to both new and returning families who demonstrate need.

Need is determined through:
- Clarity: Clarity collects and analyzes financial data to provide a comprehensive and objective overview of each family’s financial situation.
- Financial Aid Committee: A confidential and anonymous group selected for their discretion, judgment, and understanding of the school’s mission.
- Combined review: Clarity’s overview is shared with the Financial Aid Committee to support consistent and equitable decisions.
The Committee takes seriously its responsibility to support families and keep students enrolled during times of challenge or transition. In making decisions, it considers factors such as:
- Income from all sources
- Number of children in the family
- Number of children enrolled in tuition-based schools
- Unique family circumstances (e.g., employment changes, illness, elder care, or other factors)
All families receiving aid are expected to contribute something toward tuition; Harding does not offer full (100%) aid packages.
Financial Aid Application Procedure
1. Families submit financial information and required tax forms through Clarity’s secure online application.
2. Clarity asks about income, expenses, allowances, and assets. Families are also asked to provide a good-faith estimate of their maximum ability to pay and include a narrative to help the committee understand their situation.
3. Clarity will pull tax information directly from the IRS.
4. Clarity generates a report that is shared with the Financial Aid Committee. This confidential Committee reviews each family’s report along with the family’s financial standing with Harding.
To be considered, families must be current on tuition and fees (or have an approved payment plan in place).

Because financial circumstances can change, families must reapply each year.

Financial Aid Deadlines (2026–2027 School Year)
- Portal Opens: September 1, 2026
- Pre-K Applicants: November 15, 2026
- Sibling Applicants (Grades K & 6): November 15, 2026
- Returning Families: December 1, 2026
- New Families (non-siblings): February 1, 2027
Award Procedures
1. The Financial Aid Committee reviews all complete applications submitted by the deadline, with strict respect for confidentiality.
2. Families receive written notification of their award by email at the time of enrollment. The award amount is reflected in the enrollment contract.
3. Families who wish to appeal may submit a written request to the Head of School. The appeal should explain why the award is not sufficient and include any additional details. The Head of School may ask the Committee to reconsider or may deny the appeal.
4. The Head of School’s decision is final.
5. Late applications are reviewed case by case, if funds remain available.
Financial Aid Decisions and Admission

The Financial Aid Committee makes award decisions independently of admission decisions. When an admitted family signs an enrollment contract, Harding holds a seat for that student. If the family does not complete the contract, rejects the award, or misses the deadline, the seat may be released to another applicant.
Open and Confidential Communication

We recognize that every family's circumstances are unique. If you have questions about Financial Aid, we encourage you to reach out. Julie Fortune, Director of Admissions and Enrollment Management, is available to help guide families through the process and answer questions along the way.
Nondiscrimination Policy

Harding Academy admits students of any race, color, religion, gender, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, or other school programs.
Commitment to Families

Harding Academy is committed to making our education accessible. We encourage families to reach out with questions early and often throughout the process.