CDS offers sliding scale tuition based on each family's unique financial situation, subject to the limits of available funds. CDS' sliding scale tuition is strictly need-based. While every family is expected to pay some portion of the tuition and to support the community to the extent that individual family circumstances permit, we do not expect tuition to be the same for everyone. We encourage you to apply for our sliding scale if you have concerns about your ability to afford the full tuition.
The families of approximately 35% of our students pay sliding scale tuition, making us a leader in economic diversity among independent schools in San Francisco. Financial support for the sliding scale is derived from the school's operating budget (i.e. tuition revenue and fundraising). CDS currently dedicates 22% of its operating budget to sliding scale tuition.
Requests for sliding scale tuition have no influence on the consideration of an application to the school. The Access and Affordability Committee oversees the sliding scale tuition process, and the same standards and criteria apply to all candidates.
Contact , Assistant Director of Admission & Communication, (415) 861-5432 x337, to receive a sliding scale tuition application packet.
2007-08 Sliding Scale Tuition Application Calendar
- on Tuesday, December 11, 2007, attend sliding scale tuition workshop at CDS, 7-8 p.m.
- by Friday, January 11, 2008, submit Parent Financial Statement (PFS) to School and Student Service for Financial Aid (SSS) in Princeton, N.J.; online submission of PFS is encouraged
- by Friday, January 11, 2008, submit to Admission Office: copy of submitted PFS, copy of 2006 federal tax return and all W-2s, 1099s and schedules, signed IRS form 4506, completed CDS Parent Contribution form
- by Friday, February 15, 2008, submit to Admission Office signed copy of 2007 federal tax return and all W-2s, 1099s and schedules