Admission

Tuition and Financial Aid

Kimball Union Academy believes that the cost of an independent school education should not be a deterrent to prospective families. Kimball Union welcomes students who embody the school’s core values of Mastery, Creativity, Responsibility and Leadership, regardless of their family’s ability to pay. 


Important aspects of the financial aid program offered by Kimball Union:

  • The Director of Financial Aid, Nick Antol, will guide families through the process of applying for financial aid. Please direct all inquiries to financialaid@kua.org or (603) 469-2107.
  • Our goal is to help families afford a Kimball Union education through a working partnership with the expectation for families to stretch to contribute to their child’s education.
  • In 2018, $4.4 million in financial assistance was offered to 45% of our families. The average award for a boarding student was $32,000 and $15,000 for day students.
  • Financial Aid Applications should be submitted through completing a Parent Financial Statement (PFS) on the School and Student Services Website (SSS). The SSS code number for Kimball Union is 4390.
  • Returning Families: Parent Financial Statements are due on Monday, January 20, 2020.
  • Prospective Families: Parent Financial Statements are due on Monday, February 3, 2019.
  • After financial aid deadlines, applications and financial aid will be considered on a rolling basis. If you have questions regarding financial aid after the February 1, please contact the Director of Financial Aid. 
  • International Families: Non-North American applicants are expected to complete an International Financial Aid Form (link below) in addition to completing a Parent Financial Statment through SSS. 
  • IRS rules that govern scholarships, grants, and tuition reduction provide that financial aid awards are tax-free only to the extent they do not exceed qualified education expenses. Financial aid that covers the value of room, board, and travel may be considered taxable income to the student. Please contact a tax advisor should this apply to you.
The process is designed to be fair and user-friendly. It enables Kimball Union Academy to offer our educational program to all students no matter their background. SSS has a support line available at (800) 344-8328. Please feel free to email financialaid@kua.org with any specific Kimball Union questions.
          
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Campus Visits

In order to keep our campus safe and healthy as we welcome students for the start of the 2020-2021 academic year, we are not hosting on-campus visitors at this time. Beginning September 14 we will begin offering student-led virtual tours. Please contact admission@kua.org for more information.

Tuition and Fees

List of 7 items.

  • Kimball Union Tuition 2020-2021

    *Boarding Student: $66,700

    *Day Student: $42,400

    International Student Fee: $3,500

    *2020-21 Base Tuition Rates include the cost of textbooks

  • Academic Fees and Expenses

    Fees and expenses at independent schools are similar in many respects to those found at the college level. Most fees are optional, although some are required. The following information is provided to assist families in estimating the expenses they might incur in addition to the tuition provided previously.
      
    Academic Fees 2020-2021
    • KUA includes the cost of textbooks for five core courses in its base tuition rates. The Academy directly purchases and distributes textbooks to each student based on the courses for which they are registered.
    • An additional fee of $150 will be charged for each class added during the add/drop period, regardless of the total number of classes
    • An additional fee of $150 will be charged for each student adding a sixth course


    Academic Support Services 2020-21
    A variety of optional academic support services are offered in both one-on-one and small group environments. Our offerings include:
    • Academic Subject Tutorial - $80.00 per hour
    • Structured Study Tutorial - $4,530 per year
    • Academic Coaching Tutorial I - $3,380.00 per year
    • Individualized Learning Tutorial I - $3,380.00 per year
    • Academic Coaching Tutorial II - $6,760.00 per year
    • Individualized Learning Tutorial II - $6,760.00 per year
    • Academic Coaching Tutorial III - $10,140.00 per year
    • Individualized Learning Tutorial III - $10,140.00 per year
    • English Language Tutorial - $4,890.00 per year

    Athletic Fees 2020-21
    All students participating in KUA’s athletic programs are required to purchase a travel sweatsuit ($190).
    There are fees for off-campus sports activities such as skiing, golf, and equestrian programs. These fees are developed on a seasonal basis.
     

    Dormitory Fee 2020-21
    KUA requires a $100 room deposit by each boarding student. This deposit will be refunded at the end of the school year if the student returns his/her room key and if the room has no serious damage.
     

    Health Services 2020-21
    All families are required to carry health insurance that will provide adequate care at a local medical facility in the event that their child becomes ill or injured. Parents who have such insurance must provide the coverage information to our Health Center. If a family does not have such insurance, they must acquire acceptable coverage. KUA has developed a relationship with an insurance firm that provides group coverage to International and other students whose insurance will not cover them while at KUA. Premium amount $1,950.
     
    KUA provides a car and driver to bring students to the Dartmouth Hitchcock Medical Center and to other local health care providers. The fee is $25.00 per student per trip.
     

    Miscellaneous Expenses 2020-21
    With our diverse student body, the travel expenses of our students vary considerably. You will need to develop an estimate of the frequency and cost of travel by your student and other family members.
     
    Non-local travel opportunities, for example, a day trip to Boston, will include a small fee, based on destination.
     
    Students are required to maintain an Escrow Account balance of $300 to provide resources for miscellaneous academic and athletic purchases.
     
    Financial Aid
    The process of evaluating a candidate admission to Kimball Union Academy is independent of a family’s ability to afford the investment required to send their child to KUA. Kimball Union Academy is firmly committed to helping families find ways to bridge their income and other financial resources to provide their child with a KUA education. Such aid comes in the form of four basic forms: tuition payment options (discussed previously), loan programs, merit-based aid, and need-based aid. Since the amount of aid KUA can provide to students is limited, the academic potential and the unique contributions a student can bring to KUA’s community become considerations in the allocation of our precious aid resources.
     
    Education Loan
    Please visit https://secure.yourtuitionsolution.com/ if you are interested in learning about the private school tuition financing options offered by Springstone Financial, LLC.

  • Merit Scholarships

    Kimball Union Academy offers prospective students and families an alternative to need-based financial aid through our merit-based scholarships. If your child is awarded such a scholarship, the award will be granted every year the student is enrolled at the Academy. Your child must remain in good academic and social standing.
    Academy Scholar
    This merit-based scholarship attracts strong academic students to Kimball Union Academy who are eager to interact and learn with other students from around the world, led by our exceptional faculty in an environment that fosters academic mastery, creativity, responsibility, and leadership.
     
    The Academy Scholar was established to distinguish prospective grade 9 and 10 students who have demonstrated outstanding academic excellence. Recipients typically have an SSAT score of 80% and above. Up to five awards are granted each year ($30,000 boarding, $15,000 day).

    To Apply
    The prospective student will need to write and submit an additional essay that will be due February 15. To be considered, please submit your SSAT scores and notify your admission officer. Academy Scholar recipients will be notified with the regular admission decision on March 10.

  • Financial Terms and Conditions

    I. Good Standing Criteria

    The following sets forth the three conditions that must be met in order for a student to remain in Good Standing at KUA:
    1. Financial Obligations: The Parents or Legal Guardians must pay the Reservation Deposit and Tuition as selected on their submitted Reservation Agreement and be current with their payment obligations to the Academy. Please note that the reservation deposit is not refundable and KUA will not make any tuition refunds after June 30 (families enrolled in the Tuition Refund Plan may be eligible to receive refunds through that source)
    1. Academic Standards: Students must meet the Academic Standards of KUA. Students with a 2.0 GPA or higher are considered to be in academic good standing. Students with a GPA lower than 2.0 are not considered to be in academic good standing and may be dismissed. Such students, at the sole discretion of KUA, may be invited to re-enroll at KUA with improvement conditions.

    2. Rules and Regulations: Students must comply with all applicable Rules and Regulations contained in the Student Handbook to remain in Good Standing. A Student Handbook containing KUA’s Rules and Regulations shall be provided upon receipt of your signed Reservation Agreement and Reservation Deposit. Your student shall be expected to comply with all Rules and Regulations including, but are not limited to: code of conduct, academic honesty, legal compliance, safety and behavioral criteria.

      A student’s or parent’s disregard of the rules and regulations of the school may be deemed sufficient cause for dismissal of the student. In addition, a student whose account is in arrears may be denied the privilege to continue as a student at the Academy; including taking final exams or receiving credit and/or a diploma. The Academy will communicate with families regularly regarding the academic and behavioral performance of their student and their student’s ability to remain at the Academy, if this becomes necessary.
     
    II. Unconditional Obligation

    Parents/guardians who have paid a non-refundable Reservation Deposit to reserve a position for their student to attend KUA have an unconditional obligation to pay the tuition and fees for the full academic year effective June 30 unless they notify KUA in writing prior to June 30 of their desire to cancel their enrollment/reenrollment reservation. Any and all cancellations shall be sent to the Chief Financial Officer of KUA; other school officials may be copied.
    The tuition obligation is unconditional since the overhead expenses of the school do not diminish if a student does not enroll or departs during the course of the year. No portion of such tuition and fees paid or outstanding will be refunded or canceled in cases of illness, death, withdrawal, or dismissal of the student at any time after June 30. The tuition insurance (TRP) refunds tuition under certain circumstances; any portion of the tuition and fees not refunded by TRP remain the obligation of the signer(s) of this contract.
     
     
    III. Tuition Payment Plans
     
    Kimball Union Academy offers three payment alternatives through Smart Tuition:
    • Plan A - One Payment to Smart Tuition by June 30. Tuition insurance is optional.
    • Plan B - Two Payments to Smart Tuition by June 30 and October 15. Tuition insurance is required.
    • Plan C - Ten Monthly Payments to Smart Tuition May 15 through February 15. Tuition insurance is required.  There is a $70 annual administration fee for this plan.

    IV. Tuition Refund Plan
     
    As stated above, Tuition Refund Plan (TRP) is required when families choose to pay their tuition using either Plan B or Plan C; TRP is optional when families choose to pay tuition using Plan A, provided parents sign the appropriate waiver form. TRP is not eligible to be included in either Plan B or Plan C payment plans; it must be paid in-full by June 30.
    Since families accept an unconditional obligation for their total tuition payments on June 30 of each year, TRP protects both families and KUA in the event of a student withdrawal since TRP will make prorated tuition payments to KUA on behalf of the family if their student withdraws from the Academy after attending two weeks of classes. The level of refund varies based on circumstances. If the tuition refund payment exceeds the remaining tuition due at withdrawal the excess will be refunded to the parents. If the tuition refund payment is less than the tuition remaining due, the parent remains unconditionally obligated to pay the balance.
    TRP is provided by a third party. Their insurance is referred to as the Tuition Refund Plan.
     

    V. Late Fees and Collection services
     
    A service charge of 1.5% per month will be applied to account balances from their due date after a seven day grace period. Expenses incurred for the enforcement and collection of the tuition, fees, and other student expenses, including, without limitation, attorney’s fees and costs will be the responsibility of the parents or guardians signing this contract to the extent permitted by law.
     

    VI. Health Insurance
     
    All students attending Kimball Union Academy are required to possess adequate health insurance. If the student’s family is covered by a health care plan that provides adequate health care coverage in the event of hospitalization while attending KUA, we require that a copy of the health card providing the necessary plan information be current and on file at our Health Center. If adequate coverage does not exist for a student enrolled at KUA, the family must purchase adequate health insurance on their own or purchase the group student insurance offered by KUA. This is a condition of enrollment.
     

    VII. Student Escrow Account
     
    Families are required to deposit $300 in their student’s escrow accounts prior to the opening of school. A larger balance may be
    necessary if your student enrolls in certain fee based activities. Student Escrow Accounts are used by families to fund certain expenses including, but not limited to, school supplies and memorabilia from the school store, transportation fees, College Board and AP exam fees, class fieldtrips, academic support fees, off-campus athletic activities, music lessons and certain fees.
      

    VIII. Student Bank Account
     
    The student bank account is an optional account that allows your student to access cash at either the school’s Business Office or the School Store. Students may access the funds in their student bank account for “spending money” or for “travel money” and may make direct charges to their student bank account when purchasing items at the school store. Alternatively, students may
    access cash from their personal bank accounts by using their bank debit card at the school store.
     

    IX. Force Majeure
     
    KUA reserves the right to dismiss students for a force majeure, where, due to natural disasters or other events out of the control of KUA, a material reduction or cessation of operations results in the need to dismiss some or all of KUA’s students. In such event, tuition will be refunded on a prorate basis depending upon when in the year such event occurs.

  • Tuition Payment Options

    Kimball Union Academy offers three tuition payment options to provide families with flexibility in managing their administrative activities and cash flow requirements.
    Tuition payments at Kimball Union Academy include both a nonrefundable deposit and the remaining tuition balance. The nonrefundable 10% deposit is due upon enrollment each spring. The payment of this deposit is paid directly to Kimball Union Academy.
     
    The balance of tuition and other school fees are paid to Smart Tuition. This is not a loan program; therefore, you are not incurring additional debt. There are no interest or finance charges assessed for payments made on time, and there is no credit check.

    Kimball Union Academy offers three payment alternatives through Smart Tuition:
    • Plan A - One Payment to Smart Tuition by June 30. Tuition insurance is optional.
    • Plan B - Two Payments to Smart Tuition by June 30 and October 15. Tuition insurance is required.
    • Plan C - Ten Monthly Payments to Smart Tuition May 15 through February 15. Tuition insurance is required.  There is a $70 annual administration fee for this plan.
    KUA utilizes Smart Tuition for the processing and collection of our families’ tuition.  With Smart Tuition, you can select a payment method that works best for you, whether it is receiving invoices, making automatic debit payments, using a credit card, or paying Smart Tuition online.  You can access your account from the parent portal of KUA’s website to edit your profile, check your tuition balance, make payments, review account history, change your method of payment, and live chat for assistance.
     
    Smart Tuition’s staff is available 24/7, 365 days a year to answer questions about your KUA account.

    KUA offers a tuition refund program that protects parents’ investment in the unlikely event a student must withdraw from KUA for one of several reasons including, accident or sickness, family relocation, family financial reversal, academic failure or a disciplinary matter. KUA recommends that all families purchase Tuition Refund Insurance; Tuition Refund Insurance is required when a family selects payment option B or C above.

    Payments for International Students
    Kimball Union Academy has partnered with Flywire in order to streamline the process of international payments. Flywire allows you to pay securely from any country and any bank, generally in your home currency.

    By making your payment with Flywire you can
    • Track your payments from start to finish
    • Save on bank fees and exchange rates
    • Contact their multilingual customer support team with any questions, day or night

    Make a payment now with Flywire:

  • Tuition Refund Insurance Brochure

  • Wiring Instructions

    For domestic wiring instructions, please contact Kelly George via email or telephone 603-469-2167.

Applying for Financial Aid

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  • Financial Aid Details

    The Financial Aid Process
     
    The application process Kimball Union Academy partners with School and Student Services (SSS) in our financial aid process. This a common application used for many independent schools. SSS offers resources, customer support and a consistent third-party platform to help assess a family’s estimated contribution towards tuition. To begin your Financial Aid Application, you will complete the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) in SSS.
     
    Please be prepared to spend some time completing the PFS. It is a comprehensive application that asks a wide-range of questions about your family’s financial profile. The application will ask you to provide data from your 2019 taxes, which may not be prepared yet. Please project the 2019 figures (and your 2020 data) as best as possible. Preliminary grants may be granted until 2019 taxes are verified. SSS provides a wide range of materials that can help you navigate the process at solutionsbysss.com/parents.
     
    How to Complete the Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS)
    • If you’re a new family, create your PFS online account. If you received a financial aid grant last year, log in to the Family Portal as you’ve done in the past.
    • Upload complete 2018 and 2019 tax returns.
    • After you’ve pressed submit, you’ll be brought to a payment screen. The fee of $51 is non-refundable. If your family’s financial profile qualifies for a fee waiver, this will be automatically applied by SSS at checkout.
     
    How to Submit Additional Required Documents
    • After you submit and pay your PFS, you will have access to a section called “My Documents.”
    • Prepare your documents to be uploaded: make certain that different documents are saved as separate files. Remove any security or password protection from your files.
    • From your PFS online, go to the “My Documents” tab and follow the instructions to upload.
    • Once you’ve uploaded a document, the date will appear in the “Date Uploaded” column. The verification process for tax documents can take up to 48 hours to complete.
    • Your financial aid application will not be considered complete until all your required documents have been submitted.
     
    How to Submit Additional Required Documents by Mail
    If you wish to submit your required documents by mail instead of upload, send it to School and Student Services, PO Box 449, Randolph, MA 02368-0449. For overnight service, use: SSS, Application Processing Center, 15 Dan Road, Suite 102, Canton, MA 02021.
     
    Key Information
    • Our school’s full name: The Kimball Union Academy
    • Our school’s SSS code: 4390
    • Financial Aid Director: Nick Antol, financialaid@kua.org, 603-469-2107
    • Documents we require you to submit, in addition to the PFS: Finalized copies of your 2018 and 2019 tax returns with ALL schedules, as well as all W2s and 1099s. S-Corp and partnership business owners are required to submit K1 documents. Families with multiple children in tuition charging schools may be asked to provide proof of tuition.
    • If parents are divorced/separated, both parents must complete a financial aid application, regardless of custodial arrangements.
    • The due date for completing the PFS and submitting additional documents is February 1, 2020. Families may submit 2019 taxes as late as February 8. If 2019 taxes are not received by the deadline, the school will review 2018 taxes and will provide a preliminary financial aid for your family. Final tuition rates will be confirmed after verification of 2019 taxes.
     
    If you need help completing the PFS, contact SSS customer service at (800) 344-8328.

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 5 frequently asked questions.

  • Is my family eligible for financial aid?

    Many families mistakenly believe they do not qualify for financial aid; however, there is no specific income level at which a family is no longer eligible for aid. Eligibility is based on many factors, so you should always investigate the possibility of receiving financial aid if you feel you cannot pay all of the costs yourself.

  • What if I need more aid?

    A family’s share of the cost of a Kimball Union education is determined through careful consideration of income, expenses, assets, debts, the number of family members, and the number of children attending tuition charging schools. In every situation, we do our best to meet the needs of your family. We do have limited funds, making it impossible to completely meet the needs of every family who applies for aid. We encourage you to consider other forms of assistance if you do not qualify or you are dissatisfied with the award. You may ask for a reconsideration of your aid package only if there is new information that you need to share with the financial aid office. Please contact the Director of Financial Aid with any requests.

  • What if I do not need financial assistance for the first year, but will need aid for subsequent years?

    While our financial aid committee will accept and review your application, please be aware that our budget is based on our commitment to fund students already receiving aid. This typically leaves little room for adding new students to the financial aid budget. We expect that if you know you will need to apply for financial aid in future years, you will not enroll your child for the first year without it.

  • Do I have to reapply for aid each year that my child is enrolled?

    Yes. Since family situations change, we do ask that you complete an application for Need-Based Financial Aid each year that your child is at Kimball Union. Merit Awards are renewed annually, assuming a student remains in good standing with The Academy.

  • What else do I need to know?

    It is important to note that the admissions and financial aid applications are separate processes. It is our policy to waitlist students for admission if we cannot offer them a financial aid award.

    If an accepted student’s performance in school drops substantially after acceptance and prior to matriculation, the admissions office reserves the right to revoke some or all of the financial support provided by Kimball Union.

TRANSLATE

Kimball Union Academy

Meriden, New Hampshire 03770
603-469-2000  · 603-469-2040 (fax)  · info@kua.org
Founded in 1813, Kimball Union Academy is one of the country's oldest private boarding high schools. KUA blends the best of the New England boarding tradition with an innovative, modern educational program for a diverse and global group of day and boarding students. Located in Meriden, New Hampshire, in the heart of the Upper Valley, Kimball Union is minutes from Dartmouth College and has direct access to Boston and New York.