6 Top Tips to Make Utah Private School Education More Affordable

By Rowland Hall

In recent years, there has been an increase in families considering private and independent schools when deciding on their children’s education.

For many families, the idea of sending a child to private school can feel out of reach financially. But the reality is that an independent school education can be more affordable than you may think. From financial aid scholarships and tax-advantaged savings tools, there are a variety of financing options available—and you might be surprised to find out that a private school education is more affordable than you think.

If you’re considering private school enrollment for your child, here are six ways to make it affordable for your family 

How to Make Utah Private School Education Affordable for Your Family

1. Take Advantage of Financial Aid 

Rowland Hall's need-based financial aid program considers every family’s unique circumstances, with the goal to match your financial means with a realistic tuition contribution.

At Rowland Hall, financial aid is central to our mission of accessibility. Families with financial need are encouraged to apply for financial aid. Our need-based financial aid program considers every family’s unique circumstances, with the goal to match your financial means with a realistic tuition contribution. We provide more than $5 million per year in financial aid and scholarships to students in grades K–12, with most recipients receiving 50% or more in tuition assistance.

2. Apply for Need- and Merit-based Scholarships

Many private schools offer a variety of scholarships for qualifying students. Rowland Hall donors have established scholarships for students who possess both specific talents or qualifications and who demonstrate financial need.

As with any scholarship, be sure to carefully review all eligibility requirements, application dates, and application requirements to give your family the best possible chance to earn additional assistance.

3. Set Up a Payment Plan

The thought of paying full tuition all at once can be daunting, but there are often options to split tuition into multiple payments instead of paying one lump sum. Rowland Hall offers three payment options for families, including one-, two-, and nine-payment plans.

4. Look into a Loan

If you qualify for financial aid but need assistance with a portion of tuition, or if you have simply crunched your budget as much as possible and it’s still not balancing, consider applying for a tuition loan, which can help offset any remaining costs outside of your financial aid package.

A tuition loan may also be a good option for families that don’t qualify for financial aid.

5. Explore Tax Advantags Savings Accounts

Recent changes to a new tax bill now allow parents to withdraw funds from a 529 account not only for college tuition but also for K–12 private education. Parents can withdraw up to $10,000 per year tax-free for tuition, and Utah residents may also earn a state tax credit for their contributions to the plan. Talk to your tax advisor for more information on 529 college savings plans. This can be a powerful way to build long-term affordability into your child’s educational journey.

6. Scholarships for Students with Disabilities

If you’re considering admission at a Utah private school, you may qualify for the Carson Smith Opportunity Scholarship provides funding to families of students with disabilities, helping cover tuition, educational supplies, and therapies. This state program aims to ensure that all children have access to the environment where they can thrive.
No matter your financial situation, Rowland Hall is committed to making exceptional education affordable for every family, so be sure to explore every available opportunity.

Investing in Your Child’s Future

When families are considering private education, they are often seeking smaller class sizes, higher academic achievement, and college preparedness.

Placing students in small groups tends to foster close working relationships between teachers and students, thus enhancing learning.

At Rowland Hall, our student-teacher ratio is 9 to 1, and our average class size is 15 students. According to research from the US Department of Education and the National Center for Education Statistics, placing students in small groups tends to foster close working relationships between teachers and students, thus enhancing learning.

In the same piece of research, results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), showed that private school students performed higher than public school students on the NAPE:2000 tests. Additionally, their average scores were above those of public school students on the fourth-grade reading test and on the fourth, eighth-, and twelfth-grade science and mathematics proficiency tests.

Beyond intimate learning conditions and a commitment to academic achievement, our curriculum at Rowland Hall is enriched with experiential, hands-on, and inventive courses, as well as electives spanning everything from music, dance, and debate to robotics and competitive sports.

You Belong at Rowland Hall

At Rowland Hall, we are committed to empowering every student to reach their full potential in an inclusive school community. Since our founding in 1867, we have grown to occupy two urban campuses in Salt Lake City, where we support nearly 1,000 students in preschool through high school who are learning to become deep thinkers ready for a dynamic tomorrow.

Interested in learning more about Rowland Hall? Visit our admission page to contact our admission team and to hear from families who have made the decision to invest in an exceptional education.

Affordability