Deerfield is committed to enrolling a talented and diverse student body. We believe that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to prospective families. We are, therefore, determined to provide each student the opportunity to attend, regardless of the family's financial circumstances. To achieve this goal the Academy awarded over $6,500,000 in financial aid to 35% of its students for the 2009-2010 school year. The average grant equals 80% of tuition. Boarding student grants range in size from $3,500 to $41,600. Day student grants range in size from $8,000 to $30,000. 

Our financial aid program is designed to bridge the gap between what a family can afford and what it actually costs to attend Deerfield Academy. Our program is need based; a careful analysis of a family's financial situation is the basis for all awards. Every student is eligible to apply for financial aid. An explanation of two grant types follows.

Full Need Grants
In 2009-2010 over 24% of our financial aid recipients receive full need grants. These full need grants include at least 99% of tuition coverage as well as other forms of assistance. These can include coverage for laptop and school book purchases, travel allowances, stipends for school supplies, music and dance lessons and other school related events and trips. Typically, students who receive full need grants come from families with incomes under $80,000 per year and with few additional assets.

Middle Income Grants
Deerfield has been a leader in the effort to make education affordable for middle income families for over a decade. These grants vary in size but are utilized to make Deerfield an affordable option for families with incomes that range from $80,000 -- $220,000. Home ownership, family size, cost of living adjustments and other factors are considered in the evaluation of these grants. A family's income falling in this range is not  guaranteed assistance, but Deerfield is committed to consider all factors in our evaluation process.

Process

US citizens
1) File an application online at www.sss.nais.org or call Deerfield Admissions to request a paper version. 
2) Send signed copies of your 2008 and 2009 1040 (with all schedules) and W-2s to SSS by NAIS in Randolph, Massachusetts.
* Business owners must fill out a Business and Farm Statement.

International citizens
1) File an application online at www.sss.nais.org or call Deerfield Admissions to request a paper version.
2) Send proof of income and taxes paid documents to SSS by NAIS in Randolph, Massachusetts. .
* Business owners must fill out a Business and Farm Statement.

All forms and documents are due in the Deerfield Academy Financial Aid Office by February 1, 2010.  Late applications will be considered upon receipt.

It is important to note that the Admission and Financial Aid Committees make decisions regarding admission to the school and eligibility for financial aid independently. Since admission is a separate process, all families who are interested in financial aid are encouraged to apply. For approximately 44 percent of our families, applying for financial aid is just another step in the process of applying to independent schools.

Contact Information

For general information and application requests, please contact the Office of Admission. If you have specific questions about scholarships at Deerfield, please contact Richard Bonanno, the Director of Financial Aid at the Financial Aid Office.