Tuition & Financial Aid
A Catholic education for as little as $35 per week!
A leader in private school accessibility, Independence Mission Schools customizes each student’s tuition to align with their family’s resources and to ensure affordability. Basically, for families who earn less, their child(ren)’s tuition will cost less; for families who earn more, their child(ren)’s tuition will cost more. Bottom line: Cost should never be the reason families choose not to attend an IMS school.
Estimate Your Tuition Package
With our equitable, income-based tuition scale, we work to ensure that cost is not a barrier to enrolling your child in our schools. Through the generosity of our donors and state tax credits programs, we are able to provide a top quality education for your child, at a fraction of the cost. All families pay tuition on a 10 month cycle.
Click below to estimate your tuition package for students enrolling in grades K through 8.
2024-25 Equity-Based Tuition Scale K – 8th Grade
*Note: Pre-K 3 and 4 tuition costs $4,495 and is NOT part of this scale. All K-8 families MUST apply for financial aid in TADS by required deadlines and complete CSF requirements where applicable to receive stated amounts.
Tuition Scale FAQ
Does IMS have a minimum tuition amount that families must pay?
All families must pay at least $500 in tuition per year. In some cases, the rest of the tuition cost is covered by financial aid awards and scholarships.
What does “Family Contribution” mean?
“Family Contribution” is the final tuition amount that you’ll be obligated to pay for your child(ren)’s education. The total cost of educating an IMS student is $8,500 but, thanks to the generosity of donors and PA tax credit programs, we are able to significantly discount the tuition we charge families.
How do I determine my “Family Income” and calculate my estimated “Parent Contribution?”
To determine your family income, combine the total value of the items below and find the sum in the column that says “If Family Income is…”
- W2 income (will eventually need to be verified with your 2022 1040 Income Tax Return and/or all 2022 W2’s)
- Social Security income (SS or SSDI)
- IRS Tax Return Transcript
- Social Security benefits
- Food stamps (SNAP)
- Cash assistance (TANF)
- Child support
- Pensions/annuity
- Other monthly/yearly income
What happens if my “Family Income” changes throughout the year?
Because your “Family Contribution” is partly determined by your annual tax returns, mid-year changes to your overall family income will NOT impact your tuition obligation for the current year. However, when you re-enroll your child(ren) for the following school year, your “Family Contribution” may go up or down.
How often will I get charged for tuition?
Most tuition agreements are set up on a 10-month cycle, so you will be billed a regular amount once per month, for 10 months (from August-May). If you enroll a student after August, the total tuition will be billed in 9 installments.
I don’t see Pre-K on the tuition scale. What is the tuition for Pre-K?
For a variety of reasons, Pre-K tuition is a set dollar amount and is not included in the K-8 tuition scale above.
If you have any questions, please call the school and ask to speak with the Enrollment Director.