Tuition & Affordability

• Program and Technology Fee: $1,425
• New Student Fee: $1,000
• International Student Processing Fee: $2,610

• Writing, Film & Media Arts Program Fee: $710
• Music Program Fees
  • Classical Instrumental: $7,600
  • Jazz Instrumental & Jazz Voice: $7,600
  • Classical Voice: $6,200
  • Composition: $6,200
• Theater Program Fee: $2,500

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is committed to providing an opportunity to the many talented student-artists who apply each year. We strive for diversity in our student community: diverse in terms of geography, race, ethnicity, and economic background. Walnut Hill’s affordability grant program promotes access for qualified students, regardless of family financial circumstances. While Walnut Hill firmly adheres to the principle that the primary responsibility for the costs associated with a student’s education lies with a student’s family, we understand that financial aid is necessary to enable some students to attend our school. The goal of the affordability grant program is to bridge the gap between what a family can reasonably be expected to contribute and the actual cost to attend Walnut Hill—respecting our own financial constraints and fiscal responsibilities.

"Demonstrated need" is the difference between the amount your family can be expected to contribute to the cost of your student's education and the amount of annual tuition at Walnut Hill. Parents are expected to contribute according to their available resources, taking into account total income, assets, number of dependents, and other appropriate information. Affordability grants do not need to be paid back and are used to offset the cost of tuition. Walnut Hill calculates the family contribution based on national standards for variations in size of family; number of children in tuition-charging institutions; cost of living; and a host of other family circumstances, including child support, nursing home or assisted living support for elderly family members, natural disasters, serious illness, and loss of employment. For international families, information is obtained through bank statements, monthly income, and documentation of property value.

Approximately 41% of students receive affordability grants.

An affordability grant is applied toward tuition and the fees associated with a student’s enrolled arts major.

For enrollment in the 2026–27 academic year, application deadlines are as follows for returning and new students:

• Returning Students
  • Affordability grant applications due: December 1, 2025
• New Students – Early Decision for Fall 2026 Enrollment
  • Admission and affordability applications due: December 1, 2025
  • Admission and affordability decisions released: December 22, 2025
• New Students – Regular Decision for Fall 2026 Enrollment
  • Admission and affordability applications due: February 10, 2026
  • Admission and affordability decisions released: March 10, 2026

Affordability grants are given out on a funds-available basis. Once all of the funds have been allocated, it is unlikely that additional funding will open up. From time to time, however, financial aid funds do become available.

Since a family’s financial circumstances may change, we require you to re-apply for an affordability grant every year. If your family situation remains the same, you should anticipate a similar percentage of aid while understanding that tuition and fees will rise slightly each year.  

For parents who are separated or divorced, Walnut Hill requires that an affordability grant application be submitted by each parent/family.

Walnut Hill affordability grants based on financial need. There is no repayment required.

The financial information you submit in support of your affordability grant application is held in strict confidence by the Affordability Grant Committee. All grants are confidential agreements between you and the School. Walnut Hill does not share information with any other party, thus you may not discuss financial aid information with anyone other than a member of the Financial Aid Office.