The Elisabeth Morrow School is committed to enrolling the most qualified students, regardless of financial circumstances.
Approximately one in four EMS students receives need-based tuition assistance. Awards are determined based on demonstrated financial need and are made as equitably as possible after a careful review of each family’s financial circumstances, including income, assets, and other relevant factors.
While every family is expected to contribute to the cost of their child’s education to the extent they are able, our tuition assistance program is designed to partner with families by helping bridge the gap between what they can reasonably afford and the cost of an EMS education. This expectation is in keeping with the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice.
Applying for Tuition Assistance
Admission and tuition assistance decisions are made independently, but the application process occurs simultaneously.
After submitting an application through Ravenna, families seeking tuition assistance should complete the Clarity tuition assistance application. Clarity offers a simple, secure, and family-friendly application that can be shared with multiple participating schools.
As part of the application process, families will be asked to submit supporting documentation, including:
- A recent pay stub for each employed household member
- Documentation of any additional monthly or annual income
- Additional financial documentation, if requested, based on your family’s circumstances
Clarity securely collects the financial information needed to assess demonstrated financial need and may request additional documentation as part of its verification process.
Important Dates
Sept. 1, 2026 — The Clarity tuition assistance application becomes available.
Nov. 11, 2026 — Clarity application deadline for currently enrolled EMS families.
Jan. 8, 2027 — Clarity application deadline for applicant families. Applications may be submitted before tax returns are completed.
April 15, 2027 — Final prior-year tax forms must be submitted through Clarity.
Applications received after the priority deadline will be considered on an individual basis and are subject to the availability of tuition assistance funds.
Families who do not receive tuition assistance during their child’s initial year of enrollment are generally asked to wait two years before reapplying, as tuition assistance funds are allocated thoughtfully over multiple years. We recognize that financial circumstances can change unexpectedly, and exceptions may be considered in cases of significant hardship or other substantial changes in a family’s financial situation.
Tuition Assistance Decisions
Re-enrolling EMS families who submit a completed application by the November deadline will receive their tuition assistance decision alongside their re-enrollment contract. Applicant families who submit a completed application by the priority deadline will receive their tuition assistance decision at the time of their admission decision notification.
Future Applications
Families who do not receive tuition assistance during their child’s initial year of enrollment are generally asked to wait two years before submitting a new application. Because tuition assistance funds are allocated thoughtfully across multiple years, it can be challenging to award assistance after initial commitments have been made.
We recognize that circumstances can change unexpectedly. Families who experience a significant change in their financial situation are encouraged to contact the Office of Admissions to discuss their circumstances. Requests resulting from unforeseen financial hardship will be reviewed on an individual basis.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible to apply for tuition assistance?
EMS will consider all families who have demonstrated financial need. Financial need is defined as the difference between what it costs to attend EMS and a family’s demonstrated ability to pay. Requests for tuition assistance must be indicated at the time of application for admission.
How will my tuition assistance award be determined?
Clarity collects each family’s financial information on the school’s behalf and provides a recommendation regarding demonstrated financial need. The EMS Tuition Assistance Committee carefully reviews each application and considers Clarity’s recommendation, along with the family’s individual circumstances and the school’s available tuition assistance budget, when determining awards.
Will my tuition assistance award be automatically renewed each year?
Families who enroll at EMS with tuition assistance are generally expected to remain eligible for tuition assistance throughout their time at the school, provided there is no significant change in their financial circumstances. Families must submit a new Clarity application each academic year, as tuition assistance is awarded on an annual basis and is not automatically renewed.
Families who enroll at EMS without receiving tuition assistance in their first year are not eligible to apply for tuition assistance until they have completed two academic years at the school, unless there has been a significant and unforeseen change in the family’s financial circumstances.
How do I request tuition assistance for multiple children?
Families need to submit only one Clarity application to The Elisabeth Morrow School. Be sure to include all children in your household in the appropriate section of the Clarity application.
The Tuition Assistance Committee considers the financial needs of the entire household, including all dependent children, when determining tuition assistance awards.
What is the process for parents who are divorced or separated?
The Elisabeth Morrow School considers both biological or legal parents financially responsible for their child’s education, regardless of any divorce decree, separation agreement, child support arrangement, or other agreement that assigns responsibility for educational expenses.
When determining eligibility for tuition assistance, the Tuition Assistance Committee considers the financial information of both parents, if living. If either parent has remarried, the income and assets of the stepparent will also be considered.
To be considered for tuition assistance, each household must complete its own Clarity application and submit all required supporting documentation. Failure to provide complete financial information from both households may delay or prevent the Committee from reviewing the application.
What if I have not filed taxes prior to the tuition assistance deadline?
Because the tuition assistance application deadline occurs before many families have completed their current federal income tax return, applicants should use the best available information to estimate their financial data when completing the Clarity application.
A copy of your completed federal income tax return (Form 1040), including all required schedules, must be submitted through Clarity by April 15. If there is a significant difference between the estimated information provided on your application and your filed tax return, the Tuition Assistance Committee reserves the right to reevaluate and, if necessary, adjust your tuition assistance award.
Can I receive a waiver for the Clarity School Portal fee?
If you are unable to pay the Clarity application fee because of financial hardship, please contact the Office of Enrollment Management at 201-568-5566 to discuss your circumstances. A limited number of application fee waivers are available, and requests are reviewed on a case-by-case basis. As a result, we may not be able to accommodate every request.
What if I have challenges with using the Clarity platform?
Contact Clarity Family Support. Support is available in English and Spanish. The FA application is also fully translated into Spanish using the drop-down in the lower left corner.
- Select “Get Help” button in the lower left corner for in-app support.
- Email support at support@clarityapp.com.
- Phone support at 206-210-3752.
2026 Clarity Family Information Webinars
Clarity offers family information webinars each fall. These webinars review the family application and tax verification process, and our team will respond to attendee questions. Below are the dates and registration links. Families should register to receive the Zoom link to attend.
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m. ET
What if I still have questions about the admissions or tuition assistance process?
The partnership between home and school is a hallmark of the EMS experience, and it begins during the admissions process. We want to get to know your child and family in order to provide an experience that meets your specific needs and to support you throughout the process. It is by learning about your aspirations for your child and their interests and abilities that we are able to explore the specific ways that EMS will enable your child to thrive intellectually, physically, socially, emotionally, and artistically within a supportive and rigorous environment.
