Admissions
Copy of Financial Aid & Scholarships
Affording Notre Dame
Ensuring that a Notre Dame education is accessible to young women from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds is a longstanding commitment of our School.
Notre Dame School of Manhattan is a diverse community of learners where each student is known, valued, and challenged to achieve academic excellence and personal growth. In keeping with our mission to educate compassionate, capable leaders, we believe that every student and family—regardless of financial background—should have the opportunity to access the Chez Nous experience. In our effort to afford accessibility to all families, we offer approximately $2 million in tuition assistance to 60% of our current families.
Tuition & Fees for 2026–2027
-
Tuition: $22,400
-
Current Ninth Grade Fees: $1,600
*Fees are paid out during registration as well as throughout the school year.
Academic Scholarships
General Merit Awards
Notre Dame awards a number of academic scholarships based on entrance exam performance and prior school records. Scholarship consideration is given to students who list Notre Dame as their first or second choice. There is no separate exam for those who seek scholarships. Notification of a scholarship award is included in the student’s acceptance letter.
Sr. Virginia Leadership Scholarship
A cherished alumna herself from the Class of 1970, we are blessed to announce that a select group of donors have come forward and created the Sr. Virginia O'Brien SU Leadership Scholarship in her honor for all that she has accomplished, Chez Nous. We invite each applicant for the incoming class to apply for this scholarship, which will grant the recipient a $5,000 scholarship annually while enrolled at Notre Dame School. Specific criteria will be detailed in your portal after submitting your admissions application.
Financial Aid
Need-Based Financial Aid
Notre Dame works with families to help make a Notre Dame education affordable. Through the generosity of benefactors, alumnae, and friends, we are committed to making a Notre Dame education a reality for families who demonstrate financial need.
Notre Dame partners with FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment to process all financial aid applications. Applications are accepted online only.
Financial Aid Application Deadlines
We encourage all families, new and returning, who plan to apply for financial aid to do so within the specified application windows:
| Application Period | Dates | Details |
| Prospective Students | October 26, 2026 – November 30, 2026 | FACTS financial aid application portal open for prospective students (notification approximately one week after acceptance letters are sent in January). |
| Returning Students | February 15, 2027 – March 15, 2027 | FACTS financial aid application portal open for returning students (notification approximately in April 2027). |
Policies and Procedures
Financial Aid Overview & Policies
Our financial aid process adheres to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) Principles of Good Practice for Financial Aid Administration, as well as Notre Dame’s own mission and values.
-
Need-Based Awards: Financial aid is available for students in Grades 9 through 12 and is awarded based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds.
-
Need-Blind Admissions: Applying for financial assistance does not prejudice admissions decisions. Financial aid decisions are made independently after the admissions committee determines a student’s eligibility for enrollment.
-
Confidentiality & Honesty: Decisions are calculated using tax forms and applications submitted through the FACTS platform. Notre Dame expects families to provide complete, accurate financial information and to keep all award decisions confidential.
Family Responsibility & Application Guidelines
-
Parent/Guardian Contributions: Notre Dame expects all legal parents and guardians to contribute to a student's education. To be evaluated for aid, all custodial and non-custodial parents/guardians must complete the application and submit required tax documents. If one parent/guardian holds sole legal financial responsibility, supporting documentation must be provided.
-
Calculations & Adjustments: Factors such as cost of living, home equity, business assets, and retirement contributions are considered when evaluating ability to pay. Business owners must furnish full business tax returns. In alignment with FACTS guidelines, Notre Dame will impute an income for any non-working, employable parent/guardian whose children are of school age.
-
New Families: Prospective families who anticipate needing financial assistance at any point during their daughter's enrollment are strongly encouraged to apply upon entry. Families enrolling without applying for financial aid are expected to pay full tuition for their four years of attendance, except in cases of documented, unforeseen financial hardship.
-
To apply for temporary hardship assistance, please email our Finance Office directly at jenksa@cheznous.org.
-
Returning Families & Renewal Guidelines
Returning families receiving financial aid can reasonably expect continued support throughout their daughter's time at Notre Dame if their financial circumstances remain consistent.
-
Reapplication Schedule: Current families receiving financial aid only need to reapply for aid once during their daughter's enrollment, which takes place during February and March of her 10th-grade year.
-
Application Deadline: When required to reapply, returning families have until March 15th to submit their financial aid application for the upcoming academic year. Awards will be adjusted based on the updated financial aid application.
-
Account Standing: Financial aid awards will only be processed and released once a student’s tuition account is current and in good standing with Notre Dame’s Business Office.
-
Late Applications & Aid Adjustments: Late applications, new financial aid applications from current families, or requests for an increase in aid from returning families will only be reviewed if remaining funding allows.
-
If you are applying for aid for the first time or requesting an increase in aid, you must email Notre Dame Admissions directly to express this—contact Admissions at aleandrej@cheznous.org.
-
Third Party Aid Opportunities
Inner-City Scholarship Fund Programs
The Inner-City Scholarship Fund offers a variety of tuition assistance programs, including the "Be A Student’s Friend" and "High School Award" programs administered by the Archdiocese of New York. These programs assist students from archdiocesan elementary schools, are accepted by Notre Dame, and normally continue through all four years of high school. Scholarship awards are need-based and must be renewed each year. For further information, please visit Inner-City Scholarship Fund
Columbus Citizens Foundation
This four-year scholarship is administered through the Columbus Citizens Foundation, which is committed to fostering an appreciation of Italian-American heritage and achievement. Scholarships are available to entering high school freshmen who meet the following criteria: Italian ancestry, financial need, academic excellence, and service to school and community. The application deadline is in mid-February. For more information, visit Columbus Citizens Foundation
Notre Dame School of Manhattan
Accreditation
Notre Dame School is a member of the International Coalition of Girls’ Schools and the Parents League of New York. Notre Dame is accredited by the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), and New York State Association of Independent Schools (NYSAIS).
© Copyright Notre Dame School of Manhattan