As an independent, not-for-profit organization, Morgan Park Academy is funded primarily by tuition and fees, which are used to finance operating costs such as school programs, faculty and staff salaries, and maintenance of our facilities.
We are committed to inclusion as an essential part of our educational philosophy and school culture. Economic diversity enriches the educational opportunity for all families and participation of a wide range of families is critical to the health of our school.
Accordingly, the MPA community includes some families who can afford tuition at the top of the index and also provide generous philanthropic donations; other families who make substantial sacrifices to pay tuition at the highest level; and others who are able to afford only minimal tuition. MPA families fall across the economic spectrum.
We are able to offer indexed tuition based on the school’s operating budget and philanthropic gifts. In order to make an MPA education accessible to families from a wide range of economic backgrounds, we offer a range of tuition levels.
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Tuition Ranges for 2023-24
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Minimum – Maximum |
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PreK-Grade 1 |
$9,945 – $15,300 |
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Grades 2-5 |
$12,145 – $18,685 |
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Grades 6-8 |
$11,471 – $20,857 |
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Grades 9-12 |
$12,625 – $25,250 ($15,000 Honor Scholarship Available) |
New contracts carry an additional matriculation fee of $1,000. New families must submit a 20% deposit when they sign an enrollment contract. (The deposit is calculated as 20% of the total of tuition plus matriculation fee, minus any indexed tuition award.) Returning families must submit a 10% deposit when signing an enrollment contract.
Indexed Tuition
Wondering what indexed tuition is and whether you should apply?
We encourage families to apply for indexed tuition if they have concerns about their ability to afford tuition at the highest level. While we require each family to contribute to the cost of operating our school and expect them to support our community to the extent that individual circumstances allow, we do not expect each family to be the same.
The formula used to calculate a student’s tuition level is complex and considers many factors that affect a family’s ability to pay. Morgan Park Academy uses FACTS Financial Assistance system to assist in collecting relevant income information to determine indexed tuition levels.
To be considered for an indexed tuition lower than the highest level, families must furnish detailed financial information by filling out a complete FACTS Application for Financial Assistance. This requires submitting a copy the IRS Form 1040 for last year and W-2 forms for the past two years. The Academy will not determine the indexed tuition level until all information is verified by FACTS. We reserve the right to modify the indexed tuition if information submitted on the Financial Assistance Application is significantly different from that on the IRS Form 1040. All families’ financial information is kept strictly confidential.
Please note that the time frame for determination of indexed tuition moves quickly. Current federal tax returns must be submitted very early, preferably in January or February, before contracts are due for returning families, in order for an indexed tuition determination to accompany notification of admission or re-enrollment.
We make admission decisions independently of the determination of indexed tuition level; however, unfortunately we are not able to support indexed tuition for all students who qualify. Historically, our budget for indexed tuition and financial aid has been more than $2 million, but each year varies somewhat, and it is crucial to remember that once our annual indexed tuition budget is expended, we cannot offer additional aid.
Additional Expenses
Families should also be mindful of various required and optional additional expenses throughout the school year, including books and academic supplies, school uniforms, bus transportation, After & Before Care, school lunch and/or breakfast program, field trips, additional enrichment classes, Advanced Placement exam fees, Global Week (for Upper School students), sports fees (various according to sport and grade level), extracurricular club conferences (e.g., Model UN, math team), yearbook purchase, etc.
Other fees might arise; prior notice will be provided for all extras, with payment due immediately.
Additional Awards and Scholarships
Merit Awards
Exceptional Upper School students can earn merit awards based on factors including their admission application, merit application, and score on the MPA entrance exam. These awards can be added to awards received through our indexed tuition plan. Interested Upper School students must complete the merit award application.
Upper School students earning merit awards need not re-apply for the award each year, though they must fill out the financial aid form each year.
Sibling Discounts
Families enrolling more than one student are eligible for a 10% sibling discount on tuition for the second and subsequent children.
LINK Unlimited
Since 1966, LINK Unlimited has provided academic support for hundreds of economically disadvantaged African-American youth. Students apply for the program before as incoming freshmen. More at linkunlimited.org.
Additional Resources
The organizations listed below may also assist with financial aid. Please note that these organizations and services operate independently of Morgan Park Academy.
Sallie Mae, Inc. Family Education Loan, grades K–12
Daniel Murphy Scholarship Fund, grades 9–12
HFS Chicago Scholars, grades 9–12
The Illinois Tax Credit Scholarships Program/ “Invest in Kids”
In August 2017, with bipartisan support, the House and Senate passed a comprehensive education funding bill that was signed into law by the governor. The law includes a provision for tax credit scholarships, which provide strong incentives for donors to support non-public school scholarships for low-income students in the state. Illinois students from low-income families may use these new scholarships to attend a non-public school of their choice.
Applying for a Tax Credit Scholarship
Application process:You will need to apply for tax credit scholarships through a scholarship granting organization (SGO), which will manage this process, instead of the school directly. There will likely be several SGOs in Illinois. Empower Illinois and The Big Shoulders Fund are two SGOs in Illinois. Empower Illinois is a trusted partner with experienced employees who have managed a similar scholarship process in Florida. The application process with Empower Illinois will be completed online atwww.empowerillinois.org. The application process with The Big Shoulders Fund will be completed online atwww.bigshouldersfundsgo.org. School families are free to apply for scholarships through multiple SGOs, and given how funds will be distributed, it is beneficial to apply through multiple SGOs.
What you need to apply: The SGOs should be publishing a list of all of the necessary documents families will need to apply for a tax credit scholarship on their websites. In the meantime, based on what we know today, we believe families will need the following documents in order to apply for a tax credit scholarship:
- Tax return
- Proof of residency (i.e. driver’s license or state ID)
- Birth certificate or passport for student
Application deadline: The deadline for submitting applications is still being determined. We will provide more information as soon as it is available. Scholarships will be awarded on a first come, first served basis, so it is very important that when the application process begins, you apply early.
How to qualify: Eligibility to receive a scholarship is based on your family’s household income. For example, a student could receive a scholarship if his/her family income is less than $73,800 a year for a family of four. Find out more at empowerillinois.org/students.
Payment Plans
Payment in Full — Tuition is due in full by June 1 before the start of the school year.
Quarterly Payments — Tuition is paid in four quarterly installments (June, September, December, March).
Monthly Payments — Tuition is paid in monthly installments. In order to have 12 monthly payments, payments must start in in June before the start of the school year and continue on a monthly basis through May of the following year. All plans must be completed (paid in full) by May. Payments are due on the 5th or 20th of each month as per the FACTS agreement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every MPA family submit financial forms?
All families are invited to submit financial information to determine the tuition level for which they are eligible. For families who elect not to submit financial forms, tuition will automatically be set at the top of the index for each student’s grade level.
What kind of economic situation is typical for families paying tuition below the top of the index?
Family circumstances range widely. While some families can afford only minimal tuition, others can afford to pay around the midpoint or almost at the top of the tuition index. In calculating each family’s ability to pay, FACTS considers various income sources and expenses.
When will we find out the tuition determination for our family?
It depends on when you apply via FACTS and how soon that information is verified by FACTS. As soon as the information is verified (usually 2 weeks from date of submission of materials), your indexed tuition will be calculated and enrollment contracts will be sent. For currently enrolled families who do not apply to FACTS, tuition levels will be indicated on students’ re-enrollment contracts, which will be available at the beginning of January.
Priority consideration for tuition below the highest level is given to currently enrolled students whose families are eligible. Unfortunately, in a particular school year, the number of students whose families are eligible may exceed the school’s indexed tuition budget. Once the indexed tuition budget is gone for the year, no additional aid will be awarded.
For students newly accepted to MPA, tuition levels will be indicated on the enrollment agreements enclosed with admission decision letters.
Is indexed tuition available for all eligible students?
Unfortunately, no. Priority consideration is given to currently enrolled families and, in a given school year, the number of students whose families are eligible may exceed the school’s indexed tuition budget. While MPA strives to make indexed tuition available to a high percentage of accepted students whose families are eligible, in a given year the school cannot guarantee that resources will be adequate. Applying for indexed tuition early is important.
Might our submission of indexed tuition materials hurt my child’s likelihood of being accepted?
Determination of tuition levels is a separate function from the admission process. Families should not hesitate to ask to be considered for tuition below the highest level because they are concerned that it might impact their child’s application.
Does indexed tuition continue throughout a student’s years at MPA?
If family circumstances remain the same and the school’s resources can continue to support indexed tuition to the same extent. The school intends for a family to pay an indexed tuition throughout the child’s years at MPA. It should be noted, however, that families must resubmit verified financial information each year.
When will we know what the tuition is for an upcoming school year?
Tuition ranges and payment dates are established each winter. For currently enrolled families, this information will be included in the re-enrollment communication at the beginning of January if not before. For new applicant families, it is conveyed with the acceptance letters mailed after you apply. Parents should be aware that there could be some increase in tuition each year. Information on available payment plans is also included in the January communication.
If we have questions regarding indexed tuition, whom should we contact?
Please direct questions about indexed tuition to controller Julie Cuadros-Perry at (773) 881-6700 ext. 230 orjcuadros@morganparkacademy.org.
