Sliding Scale Tuition

List of 10 items.

• Application Timeline

  October 02 -    Application opens

  November 21 - Application deadline for current families 
  December 1 -   Application deadline for new families 

• Are there policies around divorced, separated or never married families applying for the sliding scale?

  MCS takes into account information for both custodial and non-custodial parents/guardians, who must complete the sliding scale tuition application and provide required documents. MCS cannot be bound by the claim that one parent has no responsibility for educational expenses.
  Separated or divorced parents/guardians or parents who have never married retain the obligation to contribute to the educational expenses of their children, whether or not there is a legal agreement between them to do otherwise. If there is a claim of non-involvement in a child’s life and, thus, exemption from financial responsibility, MCS may require documentation by the custodial parent.
  In the case that yours is a verifiable single-parent household, you will have the opportunity to share this information on your application via Clarity.
  This policy is standard in many other schools and colleges.

• Are there policies around single income families applying for the sliding scale?

  As a matter of equity MCS believes that each family should contribute to their child's education and the community proportionally, reflecting their commitment to their child's education. As such, MCS is not able to subsidize a parent or guardian's choice not to be employed. If there are circumstances that preclude a parent or guardian from working outside of the home, such as caring for young children, or prevailing medical reasons, please make note of this on the sliding scale tuition application.

• Does a parent's choice to go to grad school or stop working affect their sliding scale application?

  MCS does not have the resources to subsidize a parent’s voluntary reduction of income, i.e., voluntarily terminating employment or becoming self-employed and expecting reductions in tuition contributions. We assume that a parent who is enrolled in graduate school will continue to earn income and/or will fund their education without significantly impacting their resources.

• Who should complete the application if the tuition is paid by a non-custodial parent or grandparent(s)?

  It is not a given that the custodial parent(s)/guardian(s) are the primary providers for the tuition. If the responsibility for tuition payments lie with a third party, please contact Ingrid Gomez, Director of Admissions and Enrollment, to discuss the best way to share this information on the application.

• Payment Plans via Blackbaud Tuition Management™

  Enrollment in Blackbaud Tuition Management™ management is required. Families choose their method of payment annually when student contracts are issued.

   

  OPTION A- Payment in full

  25% Enrollment Deposit on return of signed contract.

  100% of the tuition (less Enrollment deposit) paid on or before July 1st

   

  OPTION B – 2 Payment Plan

  25% Enrollment Deposit on return of signed contract.

  50% of the tuition (less Enrollment Deposit) due by June 1st

  50% tuition due by November 1st

   

  OPTION C – 4 Payment Plan 

  25% Enrollment Deposit on return of signed contract.

  25% of the tuition (less Enrollment Deposit) on or before April 1st, July 1st, September 1st and February 1st 

   

  OPTION D – 12 Payment Plan

  25% Enrollment Deposit on return of signed contract.

  A twelve-month schedule of payments running from May 1st to April 1st

• Additional Blackbaud Tuition Management™ Fees

  • A late fee of $40 will be automatically charged if payment is not made by the 5th day of the month when tuition is due.
  • An ACH fail fee of $30 will be automatically charged if payment is attempted and funds are not available.
  • A 3% credit card fee is automatically charged if you choose this payment method.
  • $500 late re-enrollment fee for contracts submitted past the deadline, and $1,000 if the contract is submitted after March 31st.

• After School Fees

  • Our Afterschool Program is NOT included in the tuition fee.
  • Afterschool classes cost around $50 per day, please note that this amount is subject to change. This covers a daily snack and two hours of programming.
  • The Afterschool schedule begins at dismissal and ends between 5:30 - 6 p.m.

  For more information about Afterschool please click here.

• Sibling Discount

  Sibling discounts are calculated automatically in your Sliding Scale Application via Clarity, and will be reflected in your individualized tuition fee.

• Voluntary Giving at MCS

  The school's unparalleled commitment to economic, racial, and cultural diversity in enrollment is underwritten by our unique sliding-scale tuition program. The built-in challenge of this model is that tuition revenue covers only approximately 75 percent of the school's annual operating expenses. MCS is an intentionally philanthropic model that relies heavily on generous support from the MCS parent community in many forms. We strongly encourage and value the contributions of all MCS parents in helping to sustain our commitment to socioeconomic diversity through direct giving, volunteerism, and thought-partnership. For more information, please contact the school's Director of Advancement.