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Tuition and Financial Aid

Tuition and Financial Aid Home Admissions Tuition and Financial Aid

An Investment in your Child's Future

We understand and appreciate the financial commitment families undertake in deciding to send their children to Shorecrest. Tuition at the best private school in town includes stellar academics, a critically acclaimed arts program, nationally ranked athletics and the most advanced educational technology from Macs to iPads to robotics. Families also benefit from a full time RN on staff, safety and security from our protection Officers, nationally recruited faculty experts in small classroom settings, social-emotional health programs to help strong minds stay focused and robust support services like The Center for Academic Excellence - to accommodate learning differences, and the College Counseling Office - to guide families through the college application process.

In April 2022 and reaffirmed in March 2023, the School and the Board of Trustees decided to limit the amount of state funding that we would accept, with the plan to reduce and eventually eliminate the acceptance of all state funding in order to minimize risk to the School. We communicate this information to prospective families and to our current families via a number of communication channels. 

Shorecrest will remain listed on the website as accepting the scholarships until the current recipients graduate or are moved to our financial aid program. This listing causes some confusion, however, we are not accepting any new state-funded scholarships. Scholarships must have been pre-approved by the School prior to the start of the 2023-2024 school year. 

2024-2025 Tuition

The Experiential School of Tampa Bay (ages 3-5)
Alpha or Jr. Kindergarten$21,420
Lower School
Kindergarten$25,680
Grades 1-4$26,560
Middle School
Grade 5$29,600
Grades 6-8$31,120
Upper School
Grades 9-12$33,890

*Tuition includes lunch for all students.
*For detailed information on tuition and fees for international students, please contact the Admissions Office.


Tuition Plans and Fees: 2024-2025

Experiential School (ages 3-5)

Lower School (Kindergarten-4th grade)

Middle School (5th-8th grades)

Upper School (9th-12th grades)


Tuition Payments

We are pleased to partner with FACTS for online billing and payment of tuition and incidental, tuition-related charges. You can login to the FACTS Family Portal to view and make a payment related to your Shorecrest billing statement 24/7. For assistance with accessing your FACTS account please refer to their Parent FAQs or contact the tuition payment plan parent hotline at 1-866-441-4637.

Login to FACTS Family Portal


Tuition Refund Policy

Upon a student’s enrollment, the payment of tuition and fees for the full academic year is an unconditional obligation. No portion of tuition or fees paid or outstanding will be refunded or canceled notwithstanding the absence, withdrawal or dismissal of the child from Shorecrest Preparatory School during the academic year. This obligation may be canceled by notifying the Director of Enrollment Management at [email protected] in writing on or before July 1 preceding the school year that the child will not enroll.


Tuition Refund Insurance

Families are automatically enrolled in the Tuition Refund Insurance plan unless they choose to opt-out during the re-enrollment process, if eligible. Families may not opt out of the Tuition Refund Insurance (2.4% of tuition cost) if the Semi-Annual Plan or Monthly Tuition Plan is
selected AND one of the following is true:

  • a new family enrolling a student in Shorecrest for the first time
  • a new student enrolling after the school year has begun
  • a student returning to the school after an absence of one semester or more

Enrollment contracts obligate families to pay the full year's tuition unless the school is notified in writing prior to July 1, 2024 that your student will not be attending Shorecrest during the 2024-2025 school year. Insurance is especially beneficial for those who may be relocating or may need to withdraw a student for any reason during the school year.

Learn more and see rates

Student Accident Insurance is also available. Learn more here.


Payment Plans

Shorecrest allows families to choose the best payment plan to suit them. Tuition payments may be made monthly, semi-annually or annually.


Financial Aid

Choosing Shorecrest is an incredible investment in your child’s future. Like any investment, a Shorecrest education may require some financial prioritizing on behalf of the family. We encourage any family interested in receiving aid to complete the application process to determine their family need. In addition to the financial aid application, we must also have a complete application for admission to Shorecrest before making any aid decisions.

Shorecrest has a fixed financial aid budget that allows us to offer need-based tuition assistance to families that qualify. Priority is given to students of faculty and staff, current families, and families with students new to the Middle and Upper Schools (grades 5-12).

Families interested in receiving aid must complete a financial aid application through FACTS, an external tool used by many independent schools to determine aid. This application is in addition to the application for admission to Shorecrest. FACTS applications open on November 1, and must be received by January 31 in order to be considered. Download this flyer to learn more about the online application and required supporting documentation.

It is important to note that a financial aid application does not affect a student’s admission decision. Average financial aid awards range from $6,000-$12,000 depending on the student’s entry grade, family ability to pay, and the overall financial aid budget.

To discuss your specific circumstances, or if you are a family interested in transferring a student mid-year, please contact the admissions office at 727-522-2111.

  • Average financial aid awards range from $6,000-$12,000 depending on the student’s entry grade, family ability to pay, and the overall financial aid budget.
  • Financial aid dollars are prioritized for families with children entering in Middle and Upper School (5th-12th grades).
  • Shorecrest is able to offer full tuition scholarships on a very limited basis. Trustees Scholarships are awarded to exceptional students in 6th-12th grades who meet and maintain the highest academic standards and qualify for full financial need. An interview process is required.

Apply for Financial Aid


Outside Scholarships

Shorecrest currently accepts a limited number of Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, primarily for students who also qualify for financial aid at Shorecrest. The expansion of state scholarships under Florida HB1 does not affect the amount of state scholarships that Shorecrest accepts. Shorecrest will not be taking any more new state scholarships, including Family Empowerment Scholarships, or anything under the expansion of Florida HB1, for the upcoming school year.

Looking ahead to future school years, Shorecrest will continue to limit the number of state scholarship funding that is accepted, with the priority being focused on students who qualify for financial aid. 

Shorecrest Preparatory School welcomes candidates for admission or employment, regardless of age, race, culture, gender, sexual orientation, religion, socio-economic status, national or ethnic origin, and does not discriminate on the basis of any category protected by law in the administration of any of its programs.


Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Tuition

How do I make a tuition payment online?

We are pleased to partner with FACTS for online billing and payment of tuition and incidental, tuition-related charges. You can login to the FACTS Family Portal to view and make a payment related to your Shorecrest billing statement 24/7. For assistance with accessing your FACTS account please refer to their Parent FAQs or contact the tuition payment plan parent hotline at 1-866-441-4637.

Login to FACTS Family Portal

How do I apply for financial aid?

Apply online at FACTS and complete the application. Submit your previous year tax return and your current W-2. Instructions may be found on the FACTS website. Download this flyer to learn more about the online application and required supporting documentation.

Do you accept State Scholarships from the expansion of Florida HB1 and the Family Empowerment Scholarship?

Shorecrest currently accepts a limited number of Florida Tax Credit Scholarships, primarily for students who also qualify for financial aid at Shorecrest. The expansion of state scholarships under Florida HB1 does not affect the amount of state scholarships that Shorecrest accepts. We have reached the maximum amount of state funding that we accept; we will not be taking any more new state scholarships, including Family Empowerment Scholarships, or anything under the expansion of Florida HB1, for the upcoming school year.

Looking ahead to future school years, Shorecrest will continue to limit the number of state scholarship funding that is accepted, with the priority being focused on students who qualify for financial aid. 

When is the financial application due and how are the funds distributed?

Shorecrest will accept financial aid applications through FACTS November 1 - January 31. If your information is not submitted by January 31, you may not be considered for aid for the following school year.

Shorecrest awards tuition assistance based on your family’s estimated need from FACTS, the school’s current financial aid budget and the overall enrollment of the school. Financial aid dollars are prioritized for families with children entering in Middle and Upper School (5th-12th grades).

Shorecrest's Financial Assistance Committee determines awards in March. You will receive a letter via email notifying you whether or not your family received aid and, if so, your total award amount for the school year.

Please note, families must submit a complete application for enrollment, have an admissions decision, and a complete FACTS application before they are considered for financial aid.

Is a business tax return required from parents who own their own business?

Yes - if you are a business owner you will be asked for financial information about your business in the financial aid application. Just like for personal financial information, if you have not yet filed your taxes for the year in question, use previous year tax returns or estimates. If you have received income for something, yet you do not have documentation for that income, it is acceptable to enter your best estimate of the amount.

How is financial aid qualification determined? How much can I expect to receive?

To help us objectively assess what a family is able to contribute to education expenses, we a trusted third party called FACTS. The analysis of a family’s "Estimated Family Contribution” (i.e. what you may be expected to pay) is a critical component of our decision. However, to make our final financial aid award decisions, we use the FACTS figures as the baseline for our own additional review, taking into consideration our total Financial Aid budget, other information we may have collected, our school’s policies and priorities, and the needs of our entire applicant pool.

Shorecrest is not always able to offer families the full award for which they qualify. Of the families who qualify and receive aid, the average award ranges from $6,000-$12,000 depending on the student’s entry grade, family ability to pay, and the overall financial aid budget. Financial aid dollars are prioritized for families with children entering Middle and Upper School (5th-12th grades.)

Apply online at FACTS. Submit your previous year tax return and your current W-2. Instructions may be found on the FACTS website.

If it is determined that our family has need, will I receive financial aid?

If your child has been admitted to Shorecrest and FACTS has identified your family as demonstrating need, our committee will do its best to meet as much of that need as possible. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Financial Aid to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but wait-listed for Financial Aid. The sooner you apply the sooner your complete application can be reviewed. Award notifications go out in March.

Is there a cost to apply for financial aid?

Yes. FACTS charges a $40 fee to process an application.

I'm not sure if I earn too much money to receive financial aid. Should I apply?

Many families who might not expect to be eligible for total financial support still qualify for a tuition break. We encourage all families who are interested in Financial Aid to submit an application. The only cost to apply is a little bit of time and the application fee to FACTS. Application for financial aid has no bearing on admissions decisions.

Who is responsible for completing a financial aid application in the case of divorced or separated parents?

Both custodial and non-custodial parents (regardless of legal settlements) who are divorced, separated, or never married are required to submit their financial details. In exceptional cases where one parent cannot comply, the custodial parent should submit an explanation at the end of the online application.

When will we be notified if we have received an award?

Once FACTS has received and processed your completed application, you will be notified of your Estimated Family Contribution - the amount FACTS estimates your family can afford for tuition. This happens shortly after you submit your completed application. You will be notified in March of your award amount from Shorecrest.*

*Depending on the number of applicants, financial aid budget and other factors, Shorecrest is not always able to meet 100% of need.

What plans are available for those who do not qualify for assistance?

FACTS uses a comprehensive analysis of a family’s financial situation to determine the Estimated Family Contribution. Often times families who have applied but do not qualify for aid are able to re-prioritize some of their financial obligations in order to enroll a child or children at Shorecrest.

Will applying for financial aid affect the admission decision?

Applying for Financial Aid does not affect a student’s admission selection. All admissions decisions are made based on the quality of the candidates and the availability of space in the grade to which the child is applying. Unfortunately, we do not have the resources to offer Financial Aid to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition. A student may be admitted to the school but wait-listed for Financial Aid. While all award notifications go out in March, families interested in financial aid are strongly encouraged to apply as soon as possible. 

If we do not receive financial aid in our child's first year, is there a chance we might get it in subsequent years?

Yes. Financial aid awards are assessed annually and may be subject to change based on your family’s financial circumstances, the overall enrollment of the school and other factors. All families, even those who did not previously qualify, are strongly encouraged to reapply for aid annually.

Will our aid change from one year to the next?

Possibly. Financial aid is assessed annually and may be subject to change based on your family’s financial circumstances, the overall enrollment of the school and other factors. Families who are interested in financial aid must apply for it each year.

What if we have special circumstances that we feel the financial aid committee should talk into consideration?

The best way to communicate any extenuating or special circumstances around your family’s finances and ability to pay for Shorecrest is during the FACTS application process. Submitting that information through FACTS ensures that all members of the Flexible Tuition Committee at Shorecrest become aware of your family’s particular circumstances.

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