Admission

Affordability and Financial Aid

List of 1 items.

  • Making private school education

    a reality for families.
    Financial aid and educational accessibility are core to our history and mission at Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School. Rabun Gap offers need-based financial assistance to families who qualify to help bridge the gap between what a family can afford and the cost of tuition.  This commitment creates a community of students from a range of socioeconomic backgrounds, one of Rabun Gap’s unique assets.  

  • 75%

    of students in Upper and Middle School receiving financial aid

  • 61%

    average amount of Upper & Middle School tuition covered by financial aid

  • $29K

    average gift awarded for Upper & Middle School boarding
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How to Apply for Need-Based Financial Aid

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School uses the Clarity Financial Aid Application to help determine a family's eligibility for need-based financial assistance. 

1. Complete the Clarity Financial Aid Application. The process should take less than 30 minutes, and you can save your progress. There is a $60 fee upon submitting the application. The deadline for submission is December 1 for all returning families and new boarding families applying early decision. The deadline for all other new families is February 1.

For help with the Clarity App, contact support@clarityapp.com or email Financial Aid Counselor  Whitney Carlson at wcarlson@rabungap.org.    

2. Clarity will ask for supporting tax and income documentation to conduct an estimated financial assessment. This information will be used by our financial aid committee to determine aid granted. Families receive notification of their child’s financial aid award with acceptance. The grant offer is confirmed once Rabun Gap receives the student’s signed contract and non-refundable enrollment deposit.

Click here to apply for need-based financial aid. 

Merit & Special Scholarships

A limited number of scholarships are available upon admission to new students who have demonstrated exceptional academic ability, leadership skills, and are of excellent character. Currently, Rabun Gap offers the following merit-based and special scholarship programs for students new to the Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School community. Merit scholarships cannot be combined.

List of 3 items.

  • Alumni Scholarships

    These scholarships are designed to recognize our legacy students. The structure for the Alumni Scholarships are as follows:

    • $1,500 reduction in published tuition for Lower School day students
    • $2,500 reduction in published tuition for Middle School day students
    • $5,000 reduction in published tuition for Upper School day students
    • $10,000 reduction in published tuition for boarding students
    The applicant must have a parent, grandparent or legal guardian that attended Rabun Gap. This scholarship cannot be combined with any other merit or special scholarship. The family can apply for additional need-based aid, if desired. Alumni should notify the Admission Office of their year of attendance to qualify for this scholarship. The Alumni Scholarship is awarded upon acceptance to Rabun Gap.

  • Presbyterian Fellows Scholarships

    Presbyterian Fellows Scholarships are academic and character awards for Middle School and Upper School students. Presbyterian Fellows Scholarships are available to students who are active members of the Presbyterian Church (USA) entering Rabun Gap for the first time. Nominees for this scholarship must receive an endorsement letter from the Session of a Presbyterian Church, (PCUSA), indicating that the student is an active and participating member of their nominating Presbyterian Church. Minimum requirements are that the student must have achieved grades of “B” or better and demonstrate strong moral character and citizenship.

  • The Woodruff Scholarships

    The Woodruff Scholarships are academic and character scholarships for Middle and Upper School students. Minimum criteria for Woodruff scholars are as follows: have achieved grades of “B” or better, score in the top 25% on the Independent School Entrance Exam (ISEE), and demonstrate strong leadership skills and abilities (as indicated on teacher evaluation forms). No action is required by the family for this scholarship; this is awarded upon acceptance to Rabun Gap.

Financial Aid FAQs

List of 9 frequently asked questions.

  • What factors or situations weigh in to a family's financial aid award?

    • Number of siblings attending Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School
    • Number of siblings attending college
    • Temporary changes in income
    • Health or crisis circumstances

  • Who can apply?

    Financial aid is allocated to students in Upper School, Middle School, and to a lesser degree, Lower School. 

  • What are the deadlines to apply for financial aid?

    • Early Decision New Families (Boarding Only)

      December 1
       

    • All Returning Families

      December 1
       

    • Regular Decision New Families

      February 1

  • Does everyone who applies receive financial aid?

    While it is the goal of the Financial Aid Committee to help as many families as possible, each year the number of applications for financial aid is greater than the number of available awards. Everyone who applies is not guaranteed to receive aid. 

  • How are need-based financial aid awarded and how are decisions determined?

    Financial aid is available not only to families with limited financial resources but also to families that may need a minor subsidy. 

    Although demonstrated need is the first requirement for financial aid, the final decision is based on the student’s overall academic achievement, personal strengths, and their potentially positive impact in the Rabun Gap community. Financial aid awards are based on a family’s demonstrated financial need without regard to race, color, gender, religion, or ethnic origin. Financial aid decisions are made independently from admission decisions.

  • I'm not sure my family will qualify. Should I still apply?

    Financial aid is available not only to families with limited financial resources but also to families that may need a minor subsidy. If you are unsure whether you will qualify, contact our Financial Aid Counselor Whitney Carlson at wcarlson@rabungap.org for advice. Many factors enter into the determination of financial aid.

  • What happens in cases where parents are divorced, seperated, or never married?

    All parents are required to submit the Clarity Financial Aid Application, as well as the supporting documentation. Financial need is determined by a family’s ability to meet educational expenses, not on a willingness to pay. All parents have an obligation to contribute what they can afford to the education of their children, regardless of any divorce or other agreements stating otherwise. The Financial Aid Committee will make an award only after considering the financial resources of all parents.

  • HOW CONFIDENTIAL IS THIS APPLICATION?

    All financial information provided is confidential and only made available to the Financial Aid Committee. All information is to be reported to the best of your knowledge and is to be complete and truthful. Any misrepresentation of financial information submitted to the School can result in an adjustment, or elimination, of your child’s financial award.

  • Do returning families need to complete an application every year?

    Yes. Financial aid grants are made for one year only -  therefore, returning families must reapply each year.

Have More Questions?

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Cortney Dowdle

    Cortney Dowdle 

    Director of Admission

Next Steps

To learn more about making Rabun Gap affordable for your family, please call our Admission Office at 706-746-7720 or email admission@rabungap.org

Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School

339 Nacoochee Drive, Rabun Gap, Georgia 30568
706-746-7467 | 800-543-7467
rabungap@rabungap.org
Rabun Gap-Nacoochee School is a private, coeducational day and boarding school for grades Pre-K through 12. Centrally located between Atlanta, GA, Greenville, SC, and Asheville, NC, we prepare young people for college, career, and a lifetime of leadership and service.