Tuition & Financial Aid FAQs

+ HOW DO I APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID?

Submit a completed Financial Aid Application with Tax supporting documents to SSS School & Student Services, by February 5th, 2025.

+ WHAT IS THE COST FOR TUITION AT MNZ FOR THE FALL 2024-25?

Tuition for Forest Kindergarten is, $31,912; 1st to 2nd grades, $34,571; 3rd to 8th grades, $42,549; 9th to 12th grades, $43,792. There is a one-time, New Student Enrollment fee of $2500 (scaled for financial aid families), payable upon a family's acceptance of the admissions offer. Additional fees for class trips and instructional materials can range from $500 to $2500.

+ DOES MANZANITA SCHOOL FUNDRAISE?

As of 2024, Manzanita is in its tenth year of operations. As a young school, we rely on fundraising to supplement tuition and contribute to all elements of our mission, whether it’s maintaining our 4:1 adult to student ratio, supporting our Institute speaker series programming, or contributing to our financial aid program. No independent school can support itself on tuition alone.

We offer community events that support “funding our future" and welcome opportunities to partner with philanthropists, foundations, and aligned businesses. Your generosity keeps the Manzanita vision healthy and will allow it to thrive for generations to come.

Each year Manzanita launches an annual giving campaign, aiming to raise funds from 100% of our current students as well as alumni families and others in our greater community. The Manzanita Parent Alliance also raises funds for our programs through several community events held on and off campus throughout the academic year, such as the Acorn Festival, the Annual Gala, and the Beach Clean-a-Thon. Full participation in Annual Giving is integral to our success. There are many ways to volunteer time, skills, and resources to our events as well.

+ WHAT IS THE FINANCIAL AID DEADLINE?

• February 5, 2025 – Completed Financial Aid application through SSS School & Student Services and uploaded 2023 & 2024 tax documents.
• February 16, 2025 – 2023 & 2024 Tax documents for new applicants.
• March 16, 2025 - 2024 Tax documents for returning applicants.

+ HOW IS FINANCIAL AID AWARDED?

Manzanita is a member of School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS), which assists independent schools in determining a family’s financial need. Families submit a Parent’s Financial Statement (PFS) to SSS that contains detailed financial information. From the information provided on this form, SSS uses a standardized calculation nationally accepted by independent schools to compute a family’s estimated tuition contribution. The information is reviewed by Manzanita and is used as a guideline in determining financial aid decisions.

+ WHAT IS MANZANITA’S SCHOOL CODE FOR THE SSS WEBSITE?

Our school code is 207414.

+ HOW EXACTLY IS MY FAMILY’S ESTIMATED TUITION CONTRIBUTION CALCULATED?

SSS takes into consideration such things as gross taxable income, assets, liabilities, family size, and number of children attending tuition — charging schools. The income and assets for both parents and the students are considered. SSS creates a Family Report for all parents who apply for financial aid. Your Family Report will provide an overview and a calculation of your estimated tuition contribution.

+ DO WE HAVE TO REAPPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID EVERY YEAR?

Yes. Financial aid awards are based on your family’s estimated tuition contribution and Manzanita’s financial aid budget, both figures change from year to year.

+ I CANNOT COMPLETE MY TAX RETURNS IN TIME TO MEET THE FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION DEADLINE. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

We understand that families waiting for a K-1 may not have completed their taxes by our deadlines so we ask that you estimate your financial information to the best of your ability, and provide us with a tax draft. Manzanita will use the information that you provide to make a preliminary financial aid award decision. We will verify that the information you provided is correct after reviewing your tax returns.

+ DO YOU TAKE INTO CONSIDERATION BOTH PARENTS’ INCOME IF WE ARE DIVORCED OR DO NOT LIVE TOGETHER?

All available sources of financial support are considered when making financial aid decisions. Each parent must submit a separate PFS to SSS. If one parent does not complete a PFS, we will not be able to process the financial aid application.

+ HOW DO YOU TREAT OUR FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION IF ONE PARENT DOES NOT WORK?

In order to treat families equally, we try to level the playing field by not taking into account lifestyle decisions. If a family has children over the age of four, we assume that both parents are employed. If one parent chooses not to work, we will assign income based on a full--time lower--wage position to that parent for purposes of calculating the family’s estimated tuition contribution.

+ I WORK FOR MYSELF AND MY INCOME CAN VARY EACH YEAR. DOES THIS IMPACT MY APPLICATION?

Decisions for 2024 - 2025 are based on 2023 income, since we cannot predict what will happen next year. You may submit a letter explaining your specific extenuating circumstances to the Financial Aid Committee.

+ WHAT IF I HAVE CHILDREN AT OTHER TUITION CHARGING SCHOOLS?

Other K‐12 tuition you pay is figured into your family’s estimated tuition contribution. However, in order to receive aid from us you must apply for financial aid at all schools your children attend. You should note that college tuition money is regarded as investment rather than education expense, in that it rapidly pays for itself in higher income levels.

+ WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED OF MY FINANCIAL AID AWARD DETERMINATION?

Financial aid awards are included in Letters of Acceptance sent out via email on March 14, 2025 no earlier than 5:00pm (completed financial aid applications).

+ ARE THERE PAYMENT PLANS AVAILABLE?

Yes. Parents can pay in 2, 6, or 10- payment installments.

+ HOW CAN I BE ASSURED THAT MY INFORMATION IS KEPT CONFIDENTIAL?

Applying for financial aid at Manzanita is a private matter between the family and the Financial Aid Committee at Manzanita. The Committee conducts a comprehensive review of families’ personal financial situation and that review is not discussed with any other person outside of the Committee. In an effort to protect a family’s privacy, we expect all financial aid applicants to exercise discretion during the financial aid process by not discussing their financial aid application or award with other families or faculty. In addition, School and Student Services by NAIS (SSS) prioritize collecting and processing a family’s documents in a safe and efficient manner. When documents are sent to SSS, families submit their information to SSS through a secure server. Additionally, families are now able to track receipt of the documents sent to SSS through a unique password protected account.

+ IF MY FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES AND I HAVE NEED FOR FINANCIAL AID THAT I DIDN’T HAVE BEFORE, WHAT DO I DO?

Complete the Financial Aid Appeal Form and return to our Director of Admissions. You will also need to make necessary changes to your Parent Financial Statement on SSS. Once all of this is completed, the Committee will meet and then contact you to let you know if you qualify for more aid and if so, how much.

+ IF I’M RECEIVING FINANCIAL AID AND MY FINANCIAL SITUATION CHANGES FOR THE BETTER, WHAT DO I DO?

Families who receive financial aid and have positive change of financial status are expected to inform the Manzanita Head of School, so that financial aid can be adjusted. This is to ensure equity for all Manzanita families. Manzanita expects honesty from all of its families.

+ WHAT IF I HAVE ADDITIONAL QUESTIONS?

Please review the information on the financial aid page on the Manzanita website. If you have additional questions please contact our Director of Admissions, Eva Sanchez-Calixtro, eva@manzanitaschool.org, (310) 455-9700, Ext. 4.