How to Make Private School Affordable: 7 Options for Tuition Assistance

Wondering if you can afford private school for your child? Recent research suggests the national averages for private school tuition are $11,660 for elementary and $16,144 for secondary school—and those numbers can soar higher depending on location and school selection. 

For most families, that’s a steep price tag, especially if you have more than one child to enroll. Fortunately, we’ve compiled a list of seven helpful options for private school tuition assistance—learn how to raise money for private school and afford private school tuition, so you can make the most of your child’s education.

1. Research private scholarships

When you’re wondering how to pay for private school tuition, start with scholarships. There are a host of them, based on: 

• Demographics
• Financial need
• Academic achievement
• Accomplishments in music, science, or other fields
• Athletic performance
• Community engagement

Start with your school’s financial aid office, and do some internet research to locate: 

• School-specific scholarships from alumni, other families, and community members
• Private organizations’ vouchers and scholarships
• National and federal scholarship programs
• State and local government scholarships.

2. Join a private school tuition assistance program through RaiseRight

Over 10,000 private schools across the US run tuition reduction programs through RaiseRight fundraising. To make private school more affordable for your family, consider enrolling your child at a school that's already using RaiseRight or is willing to start a RaiseRight program (it's free!).

RaiseRight offers year-round tuition assistance with minimal investment. It's not your traditional fundraiser—you don't have to sell goods, attend events, or ask others to donate—and many families can earn $1,000 or more annually.

Here’s how it works: simply shop online or purchase gift cards across hundreds of brands through RaiseRight, each offering up to 20% back to your school’s program. Instead of reaching for your credit card every time you shop or dine out, just use gift cards to pay!

Shop online or buy RaiseRight gift cards for: 

• Major retailers including Amazon, Target, and Walmart
• Gas
• Groceries and household goods
• Tools and DIY products
• Delivery, shopping, and transportation apps and services
• Restaurants
• Shoes and clothing
• Sporting goods and apparel
• Entertainment, including streaming services 

The schools can then distribute earnings as needed; for example, 20% for supporting school administrative costs and 80% applied directly toward your child’s tuition fees.

RaiseRight is flexible, offering both physical and eGift cards, plus the option to shop online and use gift cards for payment. You can also opt for reloadable gift cards that you can refill easily through the RaiseRight mobile app. 

3. Apply for state vouchers

Another way to make private school affordable for your family? Take advantage of state resources, like School Choice programs, ESAs, or tax credits. 

If you’re in one of the 15 states that currently offer them, state vouchers might cover all or part of the cost of private school tuition. 

There are some limiting factors, however. By state, these include: 

• Arkansas – Students with special needs, in foster care, or in military families
• Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Utah – Students with special needs
• Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont – Small towns without public schools.

• Florida
• Indiana
• Maryland
• North Carolina
• Ohio
• Wisconsin
• District of Columbia

4. Negotiate tuition rates

You might also consider discussing tuition rates with your school’s financial aid representative. If you need tuition aid for private schooling, the institution may have some flexibility related to income level or financial hardship. 

Explain your situation, be transparent about what you can and cannot afford, and ask how they can help your child become an alumnus of their school.

5. Negotiate payment plans

In addition to negotiating tuition rates, check whether payment plans are available and can help you make private school more affordable. You may be able to make 12 monthly payments instead of by semester or make reduced payments over a longer period of time. 

If you have the cash to do so, ask whether a discount could be available with prepayment.

6. Set up a 529 plan

Anyone can set up and contribute to a 529 savings plan to fund a child’s schooling. While deposits aren’t federally tax-deductible, they may be deductible or otherwise offer tax benefits at a state level. Plus, withdrawals aren’t generally taxable when used for school-related costs, even as money grows in the account.

The plans are regulated within each state, so rules and structures vary. Most states’ plans now allow you to use the funds for K-12 tuition in addition to college, although some have been slow to adopt this change. The good news is that you can choose to use a plan in your own state or any other. Additionally, family and friends can also help fund a 529 plan. 

However, keep in mind that most states limit withdrawals to $10,000 annually per account.

7. Take out loans

Private school tuition assistance via loans requires a calculator and some hard thinking. Ask whether it would: 

• Limit your ability to assist with any planned support for college funding
• Risk the loss of critical assets
• Incur total interest costs that are beyond a particular school’s value.

One of the most common loans used to fund education is a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC). With enough equity, a solid credit score, and a good debt-to-income (DTI) ratio, you should be able to land an interest rate much lower than an unsecured loan or line of credit.