State College Friends School is introducing the Friends Individualized Tuition System, known as FITS, for the 2026–2027 school year. The new system reflects the school’s commitment to strengthening access while providing families with clearer information for financial planning.
FITS replaces the traditional fixed-tuition and financial-aid model for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. Instead of beginning with one tuition amount and asking families to apply separately for assistance, FITS uses verified financial information to determine an individualized tuition level within the published range. The calculation considers factors such as household income, number of dependents, special-needs considerations, and other relevant financial circumstances.
For the 2026–2027 school year, the published K–8 tuition range is $3,100 to $15,515. Pre-K tuition remains separate from FITS, although Pre-K families may apply for financial assistance through the school’s established process.
FITS also provides K–8 families with a projected three-year tuition schedule. Sharing anticipated annual adjustments in advance is intended to give families a clearer view of future tuition and support more informed planning. Individualized tuition is based on each family’s verified circumstances and does not guarantee a particular tuition amount for every household.
The introduction of FITS advances Enrollment, Access, and Financial Sustainability, one of the public focus areas within State College Friends School's strategic direction, Learning with Heart in an Age of Change. The strategic framework identifies individualized tuition, predictable tuition modeling, clearer admissions information, enrollment planning, and responsible financial stewardship as connected priorities.
This work supports a broader goal: sustaining a vibrant school community while strengthening the people, programs, relationships, and learning environments at the heart of the SCFS experience. As implementation continues, the school will review the system and share relevant progress through its strategic plan updates.
Families can learn more about eligibility, the pre-screening process, required financial documentation, and current tuition rates on the Friends Individualized Tuition System page or by reaching out to the school's Director of Strategic Advancement, Elizabeth Smith.