Affordability

Diana Wojnisz, Alumna Parent

Our investment in a Sanford education is THE BEST MONEY we ever spent. Our daughter’s Sanford experience so prepared her for college. If you are thinking of sending your child to Sanford, you need not ponder any longer. The best choice for a great education is Sanford.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

The financial aid application for the 2025-2026 school year is now open.

To get started, please go to the Clarity Application and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete.

The Clarity Application is mobile-friendly so you can complete it from anywhere. You are also able to save your progress and return at any time. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Simply use the dropdown menu in the application to select those schools.

Supporting documentation (1040 and W2’s) from 2023 will be automatically transferred from the IRS when you complete the verification step.

All applicants new to Sanford are asked to complete the financial aid process at the same time as the admission process. This will allow our team to share an admission decision and tuition information in a timely manner.

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button on the bottom left side of the screen as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752

FAQ's

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

Q. When should I apply for financial aid? Is there a deadline?

The financial aid application process begins on September 1. Because most financial aid is awarded in the winter, it is important to apply at the same time as you apply for admission to Sanford.

Decisions are considered on a rolling basis, depending on the availability of funds. Awards will not be considered without required documentation. Families need to reapply for financial aid each year.
Q. How much is the Clarity application fee? What if we have more than one child, and we are applying to multiple schools?

The Clarity application fee is $60. Families are able to submit and pay one application for multiple students and apply to multiple schools, provided those schools are also using Clarity as their financial aid platform.
Q. Can I complete my Clarity application on my phone or tablet?

Yes! Clarity’s application is fully mobile-friendly so you have access wherever you are.
Q. Do divorced parents or those in separate households each have to submit an application?

Yes, each parent submits a separate application, pays the $60 application fee, and neither has access to the other’s information. Both applications will be connected to the student as long as the name and date of birth of the student are identical.
Q. Who will see my financial information?

Sanford takes the privacy and security of your personal information very seriously. Clarity is certified for both GDPR and SOC2 and uses enterprise-level security standards including end-to-end encryption of all personally identifiable information. For more information, please refer to Clarity’s Privacy Policy.
Q. Clarity Customer Service and Support

If you need support during the process of completing your application, there is in-app support available through the “Help” button on the bottom left side of the screen, as well as email and phone support at support@clarityapp.com or 206-210-3752
Q. How does applying for financial aid affect admission decisions?

Sanford has separate admission and financial aid committees, so the admission committees do not have access to the family's financial information. Because demand for financial aid is greater than our budgeted funds, it is possible that an admitted student who qualifies for financial aid may not receive an award.
Q. If we receive financial aid this year, can we expect to receive aid in future years?

While you must reapply for financial aid annually, we are committed to making every effort to continue to meet your demonstrated financial need each year.
Q. If I am a current Sanford parent/guardian and have not received financial aid in the past, can I still apply?

Yes. If your financial situation has changed, you are welcome to apply for financial aid. Returning families should apply for financial aid by November 22, 2024.

In an effort to be judicious with our financial aid resources and support Sanford's diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, which represent a core pillar in our strategic plan, Sanford is committed to making its education affordable for admitted students whenever possible.