Affording DA

Complete the financial aid application form on the TADS website; click "Financial Aid Assessment." TADS which takes into account a family's income, savings, assets and liabilities, as well as any special circumstances.  

Apply for Financial Aid

This fee is paid directly to TADS; you will be prompted to pay via credit card after completing the financial aid application.

Submit supplemental items to TADS to complete the financial aid application:

• Most recent W2 forms for all jobs 

• Most recent paycheck stubs for all jobs 

• Most recent federal tax form 

• Any corporate, partnership and tax forms (only applicable if any member of the 
household owns 20% or more in a corporation, partnership or trust) 

• Documentation for all other sources of income (Social Security, welfare, SNAP nutrition benefits, unemployment, child support, workers' compensation, etc.) 

• When parents are divorced or separated, we require information from both custodial and non-custodial parents, guardians and stepparents. Each household may need to complete the TADS application separately.

• We anticipate that all parents in a household to be employed before seeking financial aid. The exception is for parents caring for preschool-aged children, living with a disability, or facing other circumstances preventing employment. Please submit to TADS an explanation regarding any unemployed parents in the household.
• Parents who are currently enrolled in school should submit a letter to TADS explaining their program, progress toward a degree and expected date of graduation. 
• Parents who own a business or trust or who receive rental income may be required to submit additional documentation to TADS. Contact TADS for more information.
• For those receiving tuition assistance, DA offers limited financial aid for expenses beyond tuition, such as textbooks, Upper School travel and other extracurricular activities. Families on financial aid will receive a similar percentage reduction in the cost of after-school activities. Students receiving a grant of more than 90% of tuition may also receive assistance for fees, books and other curricular expenses.
• Families not currently on financial aid who have experienced unexpected financial difficulties may apply for financial assistance. Durham Academy may respond to these families depending on the circumstances and the availability of financial aid. 
• Applications for financial aid will not be considered until all past-due balances have been settled with Durham Academy’s Business Office.
• Failure to meet all of the deadlines limits the school’s ability to award financial aid to those deserving students who might otherwise qualify. 
• DA has a policy requiring all families to pay a 10% tuition deposit in order to enroll. Families are also required to purchase Tuition Refund Insurance (TRP) when receiving financial aid. 

Durham Academy offers financial aid to families from a wide range of income levels. All aid is need-based, which means admitted students demonstrating financial need will receive aid based on the school’s annual budget. DA’s Financial Aid Policy is guided largely by the school’s commitment to diversity, which we believe “enlivens, improves and enriches the intellectual and social environment of an academic community.” We believe that every family, regardless of economic standing, should demonstrate a commitment to their child’s education at DA by making a significant contribution toward tuition. Some level of financial participation is required on the part of every family. There is no expectation of repayment.

Read Full Financial Aid Policy