Negotiating merit and need based discounts at private schools.

Alex Tolischus, Senior Manager of Institutional Relations

Sometimes the high price tag of private schools can deter budget-conscious families from considering them as an option for their student.

In addition to having higher tuition rates they often are located within more affluent suburbs where the cost of living can be greater therefore contributing to higher host family stipends. However, there are two reasons why you should strongly consider independent schools.

Many private schools have been enrolling international students for many years and are now realizing that the market is shifting. To maintain a strong pipeline of international students, we encourage private schools to look at tuition discounting to attract international students. However, rather than setting a standard tuition discount amount, private schools may choose to negotiate a tuition discount package based on an individual student’s academic or extracurricular strengths.

Private schools have selective admissions processes therefore have the ability to build their student body based on the mission and needs of the school.  If you have a particularly strong student or a student whom you think will fit a particular school exceptionally, well please reach out to your CIEE International Sales Consultant to discuss the possibility. CIEE can work directly with many of the independent schools on our list to negotiate a lower tuition rate on a case-by-case basis.

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