St. Paul's School lists its 2026-27 boarding tuition as $75,400, including room and board. Mandatory fees add $1,480. The school estimates personal expenses at $3,485 and a total cost of attendance of $80,365. Those numbers are large, and the school also says its aid meets full demonstrated need. This guide explains how the two fit together for families applying for 2027-28 entry.
What the cost covers
Because St. Paul's is fully residential, one figure covers tuition, room and board. There is no separate day-student rate to compare. Beyond that figure, plan for the $1,480 in mandatory fees and the school's estimate of $3,485 in personal expenses. Add them and you reach the school's own total of $80,365 for the year.
How the school describes aid
St. Paul's says its grants meet full demonstrated financial need with no gaps, and that aid does not need to be repaid. Aid is based on income, assets and reasonable expenses. The school sets a family contribution it considers manageable, then meets the rest of the need with grants.
The school gives one clear income marker. Families of admitted U.S.-based students with annual household income up to $150,000 generally qualify for full tuition support. That is a general statement, not a guarantee, and every award is calculated individually.
The school also reports how much aid it gives. About 37% of families receive aid. For 2026-27, nearly 200 students received over $13 million, and the average need-based grant was $66,688.
How to apply for aid
Families apply through the Clarity platform, whether they live in the United States or abroad. You also indicate your intent to apply for aid on the Gateway Candidate Profile, which is Part 1 of the main application. The financial aid application can begin November 20, 2026, and the deadline is January 15, 2027, the same day as the application deadline.
Timing carries one rule that families often miss. The school says families who expect to need aid at any point during enrollment must apply when they apply for admission. A family that did not apply or did not qualify at admission is considered later only after a significant change in circumstances. So if aid might matter in year two or three, apply now.
Awards each year
Awards are recalculated each year, so expect to update your financial information as you go. The school does not promise that an award stays the same.
Divorced or separated families
For divorced or separated families, the school counts both parents' income and assets, plus stepparents'. Gather information from both households early, since you may need help from people who are not in the same home.
International families and regional scholarships
The school offers limited aid for international students. It also offers regional scholarships for students from particular areas. The list on the school's page includes California, Wyoming, Montana, Alabama, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Mexico, Mexico, South Carolina and northern New Jersey. Check the regional scholarships page to see whether your home area is on the current list and what applies.
Try the estimator and ask questions
St. Paul's offers a Financial Aid Estimator on its financial aid page. It is the quickest way to see a rough picture before you commit to the application work. For questions, the financial aid office can be reached at 603-229-5639. The admission office can be reached at admission@sps.edu, 1-888-644-9611 or 603-229-4700.
What the school has not published
On the pages we reviewed, the school does not say whether admission decisions are made without regard to a family's ability to pay, and it does not describe payment plans. Ask the financial aid office if either matters for your decision. It also does not publish an admit rate, so we cannot tell you how aid affects the odds of admission.
Questions worth asking the aid office
Before you submit, a few plain questions can save a surprise later. Which documents does Clarity ask for in our situation, and by when? If our income or assets change after we apply, how do we report it? If we are a divorced or separated family, whose information is needed, and how do two households submit it? If our home area has a regional scholarship, does it stack with need-based aid or replace part of it? The school has not published answers to those on the pages we reviewed, so an email or a call is the safe way to get them in writing.
Plan your own numbers
Pull together your most recent tax returns and asset statements before November 20, so the aid application takes an evening instead of a week. Then compare the school's total of $80,365 with the award the estimator suggests. See our financial aid page, the timeline and the FAQ.
If you want to understand how boarding school admission fits into a wider high school plan, EduAvenues has a broader guide at EduAvenues high school admissions.
Sources
- Financial aid at St. Paul's
- Regional scholarships
- Applying to St. Paul's
- St. Paul's School on Gateway to Prep Schools
StPaulsPrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by St. Paul's School.