Access and Affordability
Menlo’s tuition includes most school expenses. For example, daily transportation on any of our four Menlo bus routes, the shuttle to and from the Menlo Park CalTrain station, lunch, field trips, class retreats, and many other incidental costs are all included in tuition.
Our generous financial aid program makes Menlo accessible and affordable and supports our commitment to socio-economic diversity. Each year Menlo admits many students regardless of their families’ ability to pay the cost of a Menlo education. Currently, more than 20% of our current students receive financial aid. With a $7 million financial aid budget we are able to meet 100% of each admitted student’s demonstrated financial need.
Menlo is committed to giving every student access to the same opportunities in our programs. In addition to helping with tuition expenses, Menlo financial aid helps with all additional school-related costs such as books, athletic team or club trips, global trips, a laptop, athletic gear, etc.
Menlo’s financial aid awards are strictly need-based (no merit or athletic scholarships) and can range from a few thousand dollars to almost the full cost of tuition. These awards do not need to be repaid. We believe that funding an independent school education should be a high priority for all Menlo families. In our experience, parents are more invested in their student’s education if they contribute to the cost of tuition. Some families receiving financial aid will contribute as little as $50 per month as a result of our generous financial aid budget. These families will also pay almost nothing for school-related costs such as a laptop, tutoring, school supplies, books, athletic gear, transportation, school trips, college-application expenses, etc.
Menlo is committed to providing aid during the student’s entire time at the School. Families must reapply for financial aid each year, and adjustments to an award can occur due to a change in a family’s financial situation. If a family’s financial circumstances don’t change, the award will increase to cover the rising cost of tuition each year.
Tuition & What’s Included
Menlo’s tuition includes most school expenses. For example, daily transportation on any of our four Menlo bus routes, the shuttle to and from the Menlo Park CalTrain station, lunch, field trips, class retreats, and many other incidental costs are all included in tuition.
Full tuition and fees for the 2023-2024 school year are $58,700 and include:
- Lunch
- Menlo Bus Transportation
- Shuttle to/from Menlo Park Caltrain
- Most field trips and retreats
- Athletic and arts program participation
Non-tuition expenses:
- Books/supplies approx. $400-$600*
- Laptop approx. $1,300*
*Financial Aid also supports families with non-tuition expenses through additional funding.
Applying for Financial Aid
Menlo is proud to use the Clarity financial aid application to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.
- Families in the applicant pool must complete and submit the financial aid application and their 2021 and 2022 federal tax returns, all schedules, and W-2 forms to Clarity by January 9, 2024.
- Both new and returning families must submit completed 2023 federal income tax forms through Clarity by March 1, 2024.
- If you need assistance, contact Rose Garza in our Financial Aid Office at rgarza@menloschool.org or 650.330.2001 ext. 2602 or the team at Clarity at support@claritytuition.com or 206.210.3752.
To get started, please go to the Clarity application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The Clarity application is also mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. There is a $60 fee to submit a Clarity application to an unlimited number of school using the Clarity platform. If the application fee is a financial burden for your family, please email Rose Garza, Admissions & Financial Aid Assistant, for a fee waiver at rose.garza@menloschool.org.
Please remember to return to your dashboard after you complete and submit your Clarity application, as Menlo requires you to upload additional tax documentation based on your financial profile.
If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button in the bottom left of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@claritytuition.com or 206.210.3752, in both English and Spanish. The application itself is also fully translated into Spanish.