Tuition & Financial Aid

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 financial aid program promotes access and affordability 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 financial aid 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. Financial aid awards 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.

Walnut Hill School for the Arts is fortunate to attract highly talented and gifted young student-artists each year and hence, we do not offer merit-based awards. All awards are financial aid awards and based on demonstrated need. 

Approximately 34% of students receive financial aid.

Your financial aid award reflects the cost of tuition. It does not cover any fees.

For new families who have followed the rolling admission procedures set forth, financial aid decisions will be mailed within 2 weeks of completion of both the aid and admission applications. 

For returning students, decisions will be mailed with re-enrollment contracts.

Financial aid awards are made 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 financial aid every year.  If your family situation remains the same, you should expect a similar percentage of financial aid while understanding that tuition and fees will rise slightly each year.  

For parents who are separated or divorced, Walnut Hill requires that a financial aid application be submitted by each parent/family.

No. Admission decisions are made independently of financial aid decisions. A student’s acceptance to Walnut Hill is based solely on merit without regard to the need for financial aid.

Walnut Hill financial aid awards are grants based on financial need. There is no repayment required.

The financial information you submit in support of your financial  aid application is held in strict confidence by the Financial Aid Committee. All financial aid awards 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.