Financial Aid
- This information is based on our Current Year (2022-2023) U.S. and Canadian students.
- Each family has its own set of financial circumstances; this tool gives an estimate of an expected family contribution but is not a promise or guarantee.
- For a more accurate estimate, please complete your financial aid application at solutionsbysss.com. Once complete, you may access your Family Report from SSS. This report will give you a personalized Estimated Family Contribution.
Financial Aid Estimator
Select your income and family size to see how financial aid supports families like yours:
Frequently Asked Questions
Can my family actually afford a Deerfield education?
The Financial Aid Office at Deerfield works to meet your family’s need for assistance. Using a need-based analysis, we determine what your family can afford, taking into account such important factors as income, assets, cost of living, family size, and siblings in tuition-charging schools. Our calculation allows us to be generous and makes Deerfield a possibility for 40% of our total student population.
How much assistance will my family receive?
Every family has their own set of financial circumstances. We review each case and consider all factors to make sure that our grant amount is fair and equitable. This chart depicts what grants look like at Deerfield for families that qualify for assistance.
2022-2023 Income / Family Tuition Contribution Amounts at Deerfield Academy
| Family Income | Avg. Family Contribution | Family Contribution |
|---|---|---|
| $0–75,000 | $550 | $0–6,350 |
| $75,001–125,000 | $2,900 | $0–9,850 |
| $125,001–175,000 | $8,000 | $1,000–24,850 |
| $175,001–225,000 | $15,900 | $5,600–34,000 |
| $225,001–275,000 | $19,100 | $8,100–44,000 |
| $275,001+ | $30,950 | $7,850–58,000 |
Does my family earn too much to qualify for Financial Aid?
There are no specific income levels that determine aid eligibility. We look at both income and family circumstances when determining financial need.
Do you provide performance-based aid?
Deerfield provides grants based on financial need only. We do not offer financial aid on the basis of athletic and academic performance or any other merits.
What if my family's financial situation changes?
Financial Aid grants are reviewed annually. Once admitted, we strive to assist a family at a consistent level throughout their time at the Academy. If things change and a family has an unexpected circumstance (job loss, divorce, death in the family, etc.) we review each case on an individual basis and, budget permitting, adjust accordingly. Likewise, we will decrease grants when families have a change in circumstance that allows for an increase in disposable income.
Will applying for financial aid affect my admission to Deerfield?
Possibly. Deerfield has a very generous financial aid budget. However, it is limited, and therefore we cannot always accept all admissible financial aid applicants. This past season Deerfield did not decline any students due to budget constraints.
Will Deerfield require a family to take out loans?
No. Deerfield grants are outright awards based on financial need. There is no repayment required.
Does Deerfield provide financial aid for International Students?
Yes. If admitted we meet the full need of international students, up to 100% of tuition and fees.
Does Deerfield provide assistance beyond tuition grants?
Yes. Some students receive assistance with additional expenses such as airfare, books, laundry, and laptops. Other benefits may include music and dance lessons as well as athletics and global studies travel.
Application and Testing Fees
The Cost of Applying to Deerfield
Admission Application:
Domestic: $60
International: $125
Testing:
SSAT Upper Level (Domestic)
Standard or school Flex: $155
Prometric SSAT: $215
Flex with an educational consultant: $225
SSAT at Home: $235
SSAT Upper Level (International)
Paper-based Testing $299
Flex Testing $299
SSAT at Prometric Test Centers $299
ISEE Testing Options and Pricing can be found here.
Application and/or Testing Fee waiver:
Fee waivers are granted on the basis of financial need. In order to be considered for a waiver, the Candidate Profile must be completed.
Request an Application Fee waiver.
Request a Testing Fee waiver.
Financial Aid Application: $60
Fee waivers for the SSS application:
School and Student Services (SSS) has established its own Fee Waiver Guidelines for financial aid applications. SSS will automatically grant a Waiver if you fall within their qualifying income guidelines. Deerfield does not provide Fee Waivers for the SSS application.
New Applicant Instructions and Key Dates
U.S. AND CANADIAN APPLICANTS
Submit your Parent Financial Statement (PFS)
- solutionsbysss.com use school code 2770
Upload required documents
- U.S. Applicants:
- 2020 and 2021 Tax Returns, including all schedules and W-2’s due by 1/15/2023
- If admitted, 2022 Tax Returns, including all schedules and W-2’s will be required by 6/01/2023.
- Canadian Applicants:
- 2021 Canadian T-1 and T-4 uploaded to the Additional Documents section of the SSS application
- If admitted, 2022 Canadian T-1 and T-4 forms will be required by 6/01/2023
More information about independent school financial aid and how to apply through SSS may be found here.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
International applicants are not required to complete the PFS. We ask families to complete the International Student Financial Aid Profile (ISFAP) and verification of income in accordance with Section 5 of the ISFAP to finaid@deerfield.edu. Please send all information in one email with the applicant’s name in the subject line.
KEY DATES
September 1, 2022:
For domestic and Canadian applicants, the SSS site at solutionsbysss.com begins to accept your electronically filed PFS.
International applicants, the Deerfield Financial Aid Office begins to accept the ISFAP and verification documents at finaid@deerfield.edu.
January 15, 2023:
For domestic and Canadian applicants, the PFS should have been filed electronically and all supporting documents accompanying the application should be uploaded to the SSS website or sent to the SSS Application Processing Center. At a minimum, the supporting documents provided should include your 2020 and 2021 IRS 1040’s, all related Tax Form Schedules, and copies of your W-2’s and 1099’s. Some families with business income or distributions may also need to submit Business/Farm Statements, Forms 1065, 1120-S and K-1 Schedules.
International applicants, the ISFAP and verification documents should be submitted to the Deerfield Academy Financial Aid Office.
March 10, 2023:
Admission decisions are emailed. Financial Aid decisions are sent with acceptances to admitted students.
April 10, 2023:
Deadline for parental acceptance of the Financial Aid grant offer.
June 1, 2023:
If admitted, 2022 tax returns, including all schedules and W-2’s will be required
After April 10, 2023, Financial Aid Grants will be made on a funds-available basis.
For more information about applying for financial aid:
Call: 413-774-1400
Email: finaid@deerfield.edu
Tuition
Deerfield meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need of each admitted family. This year we will provide over $13,000,000 in financial aid grants, including funds to cover tuition and supplemental expenses, to families at Deerfield.
| 2022-23 | Tuition | Academic Services | Technology | Health Center | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boarding | $64,850 | $1,250 | $880 | $540 | $67,520 |
| Day | $46,500 | $1,250 | $880 | $220 | $48,850 |
Payment Options:
When a student is accepted at Deerfield, families will be asked to confirm enrollment by returning their Enrollment Agreement and Tuition Deposit. Deposits are non-refundable and will be credited to the first tuition bill.
While the Academy traditionally bills tuition twice yearly, in July and November, families may subscribe to a monthly payment plan offered through FACTS. This option allows for the convenience of monthly payments over a nine-month period. There is a small enrollment fee and no interest charges for this plan.
Returning Student Applicant Instructions and Key Dates
All students receiving financial aid must submit a financial aid application annually. Please follow the key dates and instructions listed below.
Note: If you are a current family that did not apply to Deerfield requesting financial aid and wish to apply for financial aid, you must first reach out to Melissa Persons to review eligibility. Only families who have experienced a significant and unpreventable financial change will be permitted to apply.
KEY DATES
September 1, 2022:
For domestic and Canadian applicants, the SSS site at solutionsbysss.com begins to accept your electronically filed PFS.
International applicants, the Deerfield Financial Aid Office begins to accept the International Student Financial Aid Profile (ISFAP) and verification documents at finaid@deerfield.edu.
January 1, 2023:
Domestic and Canadian current students, the PFS should have been filed electronically and all supporting documents accompanying the application should be uploaded to the SSS website or sent to the SSS Application Processing Center. At a minimum the supporting documents provided should include your 2020 and 2021 IRS 1040’s, all related Tax Form Schedules, and copies of your W-2’s and 1099’s. Some families with business income or distributions may also need to submit Business/Farm Statements, Forms 1065, 1120-S and K-1 Schedules.
International applicants, the ISFAP and verification documents should be submitted to the Deerfield Financial Aid Office at finaid@deerfield.edu.
April 15, 2023:
Financial Aid grants are emailed along with re-enrollment documents.
May 15, 2023:
Deadline for parental acceptance of the Financial Aid grant offer.
June 1, 2023:
Domestic and Canadian families, 2022 tax returns, including all schedules and W-2’s should be uploaded to SSS.
Questions?
Melissa Persons
Director of Financial Aid
- Email mpersons@deerfield.edu
- Phone 413-774-1568
Melissa Persons P’16, P’19, P’21, is the Director of Financial Aid at Deerfield Academy. Melissa attended Miss Porter’s School and graduated from St. Michael’s College with a degree in Business Administration. Her experience in Finance began at Walt Disney World and also includes time at Blue Cross BlueShield of New Hampshire.
If you have any questions about the financial aid process or affording a Deerfield education, please do not hesitate to reach out.
Frequently Asked Questions
An interview is an important part of Deerfield’s holistic application process. As space becomes limited in December and January, we highly recommend that you book your interview appointment early.
Deerfield’s financial aid program is a need-based program that supports 100% of demonstrated need. Currently, our program provides funding for 37% of our student body. The program is comprehensive and may cover up to 100% of the total cost of tuition and fees. We also support additional expenses such as travel and health insurance for a portion of our community.
Deerfield offers a test–optional application process. The Academy’s Admission Office will continue to evaluate each application using a holistic approach that considers each student’s achievements and successes in relation to their individual opportunities and challenges. For those students choosing to submit standardized testing, we have created the following testing guidelines:
In GPS systems, you can use: 7 Old Main Street, 1 Albany Road, or 1 Academy Lane.
Deerfield accepts students for September enrollment only. Our priority application deadline for September enrollment is January 15. We will make every effort to give full consideration to completed applications (including testing) received after January 15, however we cannot guarantee a March 10 notification.
Admission opportunities for late candidates, who do not receive a March 10 notification, is limited by the number of spaces available after April 10. The Admission Committee meets periodically throughout the spring to make decisions on this group of candidates.
You should make the recommendation request through Gateway to Prep Schools with your English or Math teacher from last year and inform our office of your situation.
Contact Admission Office
admission@deerfield.edu
413-774-1400
Fax 413-772-1129
Main School Building
Mon-Fri, 8:00am–4:30pm
7 Boyden Lane, PO Box 65
Deerfield, MA 01342