Choate states that it meets 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need. Aid is need-based grants only: Choate offers no merit scholarships or loans. To apply, check the financial aid box on the application, complete the Clarity Application after September 1, and file by January 15. Aid decisions are posted online starting March 10, with admission decisions.
This guide covers tuition for 2026-27 as the school states it, how aid works, the steps and deadlines, and mistakes to avoid. Confirm every figure on Choate's tuition and financial aid pages, because they change each year.
Tuition and fees for 2026-27
Choate's Tuition and Financial Aid page lists these amounts for 2026-27:
- Boarding: tuition of $73,530 plus a $1,000 technology fee, for a total of $74,530.
- Day: tuition of $56,610 plus a $1,000 technology fee, for a total of $57,610.
The page also tells families to budget $1,000 a year for books, academic supplies, and incidental charges, and to plan for travel to and from campus, including during major breaks. Health insurance is required for all students, and students need a phone with a U.S. data plan. Music lessons vary with frequency and duration. A 10% non-refundable deposit is due on the date in the enrollment contract.
What the aid page says about family contributions
Choate publishes average family contributions for 2026-27 by income bracket:
- Less than $75,000: $570
- $75,001 to $150,000: $3,500
- $150,001 to $250,000: $13,260
- $250,001 to $400,000: $24,230
- More than $400,000: $45,320
These are averages the school reports, not a quote for any family. The Financial Aid Committee looks at your Clarity application and tax returns, and it considers anticipated expenses such as books, supplies, laundry, and travel. It also weighs extenuating circumstances. Choate's public page does not say how assets or home equity are treated, so ask the Financial Aid Office if that matters for you.
How to apply for aid
Choate's aid FAQ gives the steps:
- Check the box in the application that says you intend to apply for financial aid.
- Complete the Clarity Application after September 1.
- File by January 15. That is the aid application deadline.
- Watch for decisions on March 10. They post online with admission decisions.
- Reapply each year. Returning families go through the process annually, and the Financial Aid Office re-analyzes eligibility each year.
For families without a U.S. Form 1040, Choate says to complete the Clarity Application in U.S. dollars, plus an International Student Financial Aid Profile and income documentation.
The steps align with the Choate admissions timeline and the aid portion of the Choate application guide.
Does applying for aid affect admission?
Choate says applications are first reviewed without regard to aid status, but that financial need may influence decisions when the aid budget is strained. Plan for that honestly: apply if you need aid, and do not apply if you do not. The FAQ says families without need generally should not apply, but should contact the Financial Aid Office promptly if a major change occurs, such as job loss.
Beyond tuition
Choate says students with exceptionally high need receive additional help with books, travel, and other school needs. All students can apply to the Beyond the Classroom Fund, and the Dean of Students may use it for emergencies.
Fee waivers
Clarity automatically determines fee waiver eligibility, according to Choate. For an application or SSAT fee waiver, contact the Admission Office. For a standardized test fee waiver, email admission@choate.edu. See the guide to Choate SSAT and ISEE scores.
Payment options
Choate lists three plans: one payment on or before June 1 with a 1% discount on net tuition and fees after the deposit; two payments, 50% by July 15 and the balance by November 15; or a nine-month plan with monthly auto-debit from July to March, with enrollment by June 15.
Divorced or separated parents
Choate's FAQ says it endorses the view that both birth parents should contribute to their children's education. Families with questions should contact financialaid@choate.edu.
How to use this page
Put the 2026-27 tuition figures next to the average contributions to see the range, then run your own numbers through the Clarity Application, since only the school's review decides what a particular family is asked to pay. Ask the Financial Aid Office at financialaid@choate.edu about any special circumstances, such as a recent change in income, before the January 15 deadline.
Common mistakes
- Checking the box and stopping. The Clarity Application is the actual aid application.
- Missing January 15. The aid and admission deadlines are the same date.
- Expecting merit aid. Choate states it offers no merit scholarships or loans.
- Reading the averages as quotes. They are averages by income bracket.
- Forgetting to reapply. Aid is reviewed yearly.
- Leaving out international documents. Families without a Form 1040 need the additional profile and income documentation.
Frequently asked questions
Does Choate meet full financial need?
Yes. Choate states that it meets 100% of a family's demonstrated financial need for admitted students who receive a grant.
What is Choate's tuition for 2026-27?
Boarding tuition is $73,530 and day tuition is $56,610, each plus a $1,000 technology fee, according to Choate's tuition page.
Does Choate offer merit scholarships?
No. Choate says it offers grants based on demonstrated need only, with no merit scholarships or loans.
When is the financial aid deadline?
January 15. Aid decisions are posted online starting March 10.
Does applying for aid hurt my chances?
Choate says applications are first reviewed without regard to aid status, but need may influence decisions when the aid budget is strained.
Where EduAvenues fits
If you want structured help preparing a student for the application, see the programs page. The free diagnostic and the planner on the resources page are good places to begin.
Sources
- Choate Admission Process
- Choate Admission Frequently Asked Questions
- Choate Admission
- Choate Tuition and Financial Aid
- Choate Tuition and Financial Aid FAQ
- Choate About
- Choate Campus Tour
- What's on the Upper Level SSAT (The Enrollment Management Association)
- ISEE Quick Facts Guide 2026-27 (ERB)
ChoatePrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Choate Rosemary Hall.