Tuition, Scholarships, & Financial Aid

Note: The school code for The Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is 1044.

1. Beginning September 2023, go to the SSS Family Portal.
2. Create your PFS online account with your email address and a password.
3. Begin a PFS for Academic Year 2024-2025 You can log out of the PFS at any time, then return later to complete it.
4. Once you press Submit, you will be brought to a payment screen (the fee to apply is $60).
5. After you submit your PFS, you’ll have access to a section called “My Documents.” You can upload the additional documents we require there.

How to Submit Additional Required Documents

1. Prepare your documents to be uploaded. Make sure the documents are on your computer, each saved as a separate file. Remove any security or password protection from your document files.
2. Return to the SSS Family Portal and login.
3. Select the Academic Year 2024-2025 button.
4. From the PFS Online, click on the “My Documents” tab.
5. On the “My Documents” page, you will see an upload button or a hyperlink next to a specific document name in the "Required Documents" section of the PFS. Clicking either the upload button or a hyperlink will lead you through a series of steps allowing you to name, locate, and save the file.
6. Once you have uploaded a document, the date will appear in the “Date Uploaded” column within minutes of the upload. Please note that some tax documents go through a verification process that can take up to 48 hours to complete.

The financial aid program at the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is designed to assist qualified students who are unable to pay full tuition and to promote socio-economic diversity among the student body. Students are accepted for admission to the Academy on a "need-blind" basis, meaning that financial aid requests do not impact the decisions made by the Admissions Committee.

Applicants for financial aid are referred to the Financial Aid Committee only after the student has been admitted. Financial aid is awarded based on a family's financial need; assistance is offered in the form of a grant which does not require repayment. As funds are limited, the Academy is not able to meet 100% of demonstrated need for admitted students.

Once the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) has been submitted, SSS prepares a need analysis report, which suggests the amount a family can contribute for educational costs. Since not all families' financial circumstances are equal, the Committee uses the SSS evaluation as means of standardizing applicants. Applicants must submit copies of their federal tax returns with all schedules and W-2s.

Families who are awarded financial grants must reapply for aid each year by submitting the required documents. The student must also be in good social and academic standing to remain eligible to receive need-based funding as determined by the Academy.

Notre Dame offers multiple options for tuition payment through TADS.

Tuition payment options include:

1. Annual Plan (payable in July)
2. Semester Plan (payable in July and November)
3. Quarterly Plan (payable in four installments: June, September, December, March)
4. Monthly Plan (payable in ten installments: June through March)

1. Who is eligible to apply for financial aid?
Applicants for any grade may apply for need-based financial aid.

2. Will applying for financial aid affect my child’s chances for admission?
Admissions applications are read on a "need-blind" basis (without regard to a family’s financial need). Therefore, applying for financial assistance does not affect an applicant's chances for admission.

3. I am completing my Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) through SSS. What is the school code for Notre Dame?
The school code for the Academy of Notre Dame de Namur is 1044.

4. Must I re-apply for aid next year?
Families are required to re-apply for financial aid each year by submitting a questionnaire, current year’s tax returns, and W-2s.

5. What is the policy for divorced, separated, or never married parents?
Both natural parents should complete the PFS and submit their own completed tax forms to SSS.

6. What if one or both parents are self-employed or own a business?
Families who own businesses should complete the PFS and include all necessary documents in addition to the tax returns.

7. How are financial aid decisions made?
The Financial Aid Committee utilizes the information provided by SSS as a guideline in determining financial aid awards. In determining eligibility, we use the information from the Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) as a starting point, then consider our available budget and school policies.

8. If my daughter gets admitted but we do not receive need-based aid, can we reapply next year?
Typically, all need-based aid is awarded at the time of admission. It is unlikely that a student enrolling without aid would be awarded funds in any subsequent year—unless there are significant changes to the family's financial circumstances.

9. Does Notre Dame offer scholarships in addition to need-based financial aid?
The Academy of Notre Dame offers scholarship opportunities to qualified applicants. Learn more below. 

The Global Citizen Scholarship recognizes 9th grade applicants with a demonstrated interest in deepening their cultural competence and expanding their worldview to include diverse perspectives.

Eligibility Criteria

In addition to meeting our standard criteria for academic merit scholarships, candidates should demonstrate an interest in and experience with as many of the following criteria as possible:

• Second language study in school and/or proficiency in a second language through family life or personal interest.

• Global education experience and/or involvement with a global organization.

• Cross-cultural experiences that provide opportunities to work alongside people whose background and perspective are different from one's own.

Examples include, but are not limited to:

• Classes in school with a global focus or curriculum that involves an international exchange of some sort, or that uses texts and sources from diverse points of view.

• International or domestic travel which included cultural experiences that expanded your worldview. 

• Service, travel, participation, or work completed with organizations that aid and assist people in need.

• Hosting an exchange student or sponsoring a refugee family/student; being an exchange student for any period of time.

• Hobbies or sports that lead to international experiences.

• Language immersion program.

• Long term "pen pal" communication.

*Please note that these are only examples of global experiences; not all are required.

Application Requirements - Candidates must complete the following by November 14, 2023:

1. Complete your Application for Admission, including an Entrance Exam, Shadow Day Visit, and all required supporting documents (new applicants only).
2. Submit a 250 to 500 word written essay in a pdf format that answers the question: “Tell us a story of a time when you took into consideration the perspective of another person in order to better understand them or a problem they were experiencing.” Include as many relevant examples from the above criteria as possible.

Please refer to the right column of this page for instructions on how to submit your essay.

The STEM Scholarship recognizes 9th grade applicants with particular aptitude and interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.

Eligibility Criteria

In addition to meeting our standard criteria for merit scholarships, candidates should demonstrate:

• A strong foundation in mathematics, including the successful completion of Algebra 1 by the end of the 8th-grade year.

• Participation in a math/science extracurricular activity.

• Passion for the STEM fields, including but not limited to participation in a math/science/coding club, volunteering, or interning at a STEM-related facility (like a hospital or research institution).

Application Requirements - Candidates must complete the following by November 14, 2023:

1. Complete your Application for Admission, including an Entrance Exam, Virtual Shadow Day Visit, and all required supporting documents (new applicants only).
2. Submit a 250 to 500 word written essay in a .pdf format that details your experiences and responds to one of the two prompts below. Include as many relevant examples from the above criteria as possible.

• "Describe a past science experiment you have done or an idea for a future science experiment you would like to conduct (and why)."

or

• “Describe a STEM-related question you have or a topic you would like to explore. Why is it interesting or meaningful to you?”

Please refer to the right column of this page for instructions on how to submit your essay.

The Music Scholarship recognizes applicants with an aptitude for vocal or instrumental performance.

Requirements
In addition to meeting our standard criteria for academic merit scholarships, candidates should plan to attend Live Auditions on Nov. 14, 2023 beginning at 3:30 pm in the Connelly Arts Center. 

Vocal and instrumental selections should show versatility, showcase abilities, and demonstrate high musicianship skills (dynamics, interpretation, phrasing, musicality).

Vocal Audition Guidelines

1. Singers should sing two of the following scales: A Major, C Major, E Major and G Major using solfege syllables (do-re-mi, etc.), or a neutral syllable such as "la" or "da". Typically, if you are a soprano, you should sing E Major and G Major. If you are an Alto, you should sing A Major and C Major.

2. Please prepare and submit two, 2-minute excerpts of two contrasting pieces. For example: Classical and Broadway.

Instrumental Audition Guidelines

1. Instrumentalists should prepare and submit two, 2-minute contrasting pieces.

2. Instrumentalists should submit two scales from the following list by instrument. Please announce what scale you are playing prior to playing it.

• Strings: C, G, D and A Major with the relative harmonic minors in 2 octaves with at least 1 shift.

• Woodwinds/Brass: F, G and C Major and their relative harmonic minor in two octaves.

• Piano: Choose any two white key major and minor scales in 2 octaves with hands together.

Music Resume
Both vocal and instrumental performers should provide a music resume along with their audition. The resume should include experiences and accomplishments as well as a list of your performances, years, studies, and teachers (school and private). Musicians may also choose to submit one or two written recommendations from current instructors, though they are not required.

Additional Information

To maintain eligibility, award recipients must participate as a member of Notre Dame's Upper School Ensemble or Women’s Chorale. 

Please refer to the right column of this page for instructions on how to submit your video.

The Dance Scholarship recognizes applicants with an aptitude for dance performance.

Requirements:

In addition to meeting our standard criteria for academic merit scholarships, candidates should plan to submit a pre-screen video by Nov. 3, 2023 (instructions below) and to attend Live Auditions on Nov. 14, 2023 beginning at 3:30 pm in the Connelly Arts Center. 

Dance Audition Guidelines:

1. Dancers should prepare and submit two (2) solos of their choosing, lasting no longer than one minute each.

2. One or both solos should include the following technical movements:

   • Pirouette both en dehors and en dedans

   • Grande jeté and developpé leaps

   • Spiral to and from floor

   • Grand battement with both right and left leg

3. The genre may be classical or contemporary and should showcase the dancer’s range of technical and artistic capabilities. Choices should give a sense of placement, line, body awareness, flexibility, and control.

4. Dancers may choose a featured excerpt from a group piece or a specially-choreographed piece for this audition.

Dance Resume:

Dancers should submit one letter of recommendation from a dance instructor as well as a dance resume along with their audition. The resume should include experiences, accomplishments and a list of your dance schools, years, styles and teachers. 

Additional Information

To maintain eligibility, award recipients must participate as a member of Notre Dame's Upper School Dance Companies.

Please refer to the right column of this page for instructions on submitting a video application.

The Visual Arts Scholarship recognizes applicants with a demonstrated interest in and aptitude for visual art.

Requirements

1. Portfolio Submission

Applicants should submit their portfolio images in a Google or pdf slideshow format comprised of 8-10 images. The slideshow should be shared via email to scholarships@ndapa.org and labeled clearly with the artist's name and current school.

Portfolio Guidelines

• All submissions should be digital images.

• Artists may submit 3 dimensional work, but only in photograph format (NO actual sculptural submissions).

• Submitted work should demonstrate a variety of styles, mediums, and abilities.

• Portfolio images should be submitted via email to scholarships@ndapa.org and clearly labeled with the artist’s name and current school.

Additional Information: To maintain eligibility, award recipients must take a full credit of visual art each scholarship year.

Submissions due by November 14, 2023.

Dedicated to the legacy of St. Julie Billiart, foundress of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur, these partial-tuition scholarships are awarded to 9th grade applicants including current Notre Dame 8th grade students who embody St. Julie's charism of simplicity, joy, and love for the poor.

St. Julie scholarship candidates are expected to demonstrate strength of character and leadership capacity through participation in activities and service to their school, family, and community.

St. Julie Billiart once said, "Courage is needed to put up with ourselves, with all our weaknesses and with those of others." Please tell us about a time that you demonstrated courage in the face of weakness, either your own or that of someone else.

Please limit your response to 250-500 words. Essay submissions are due by November 14, 2023.

Please refer to the right column of this page for instructions on submitting your essay.