We recognize that a Madeira education is a significant investment and do not want tuition to be a barrier for entry. We believe that socio-economic diversity enriches our community and is critical to our mission to innovate, launch world-changers, and foster values like compassion, curiosity, and awareness of self and others.
Scroll down to learn more about our need-based financial aid and merit scholarship programs.
2025-2026 Tuition & Financial Aid Snapshot
$74,500
Boarding Tuition
$58,000
Day Tuition
$4.5*m*
dollars awarded
124
students receiving aid
$46,500
average boarding grant
$21,500
average day grant
$7,200
average merit scholarship
For the 2026-27 school year, the boarding tuition will be $77,100 and the day tuition will be $60,000.
*Tuition at Madeira is a comprehensive fee that includes most expenses associated with the school, including all meals for boarding and day students.
Applying for Financial Aid
At Madeira, our students live and learn in a community that is representative of a variety of voices and experiences. This would not be possible without our robust financial aid program that allows us to partner with families with a wide range of incomes.
We strongly encourage any family of a strong, smart, passionate and caring potential Madeira girl to apply for financial aid if they have need of this resource.
We use Clarity to process financial aid applications. Based on the financial information you provide, Clarity will give us an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses.
Application Deadlines
Every year we have a growing number of families applying for financial aid. We prioritize funding for families who have completed and submitted all required documents by our deadlines.
The deadline for returning families to apply for Financial Aid is December 1. For new families, the deadline is January 15. Financial aid decisions are communicated to parents during the re-enrollment period in early February (for returning students) and upon notification of acceptance in March (for new students).
Madeira Merit Scholarship
Madeira offers a small number of merit scholarships each year. In keeping with our founder Lucy Madeira's belief in personal best rather than comparison, these awards recognize students whose talents, leadership, and interests will deepen our community.
Because Madeira attracts accomplished students across many domains, merit scholarships are not awarded on the basis of achievement alone. The Admissions Committee considers how a student’s passions and intellectual curiosity align with the opportunities available at Madeira and how she will engage in and contribute meaningfully to our community.
All applicants are automatically considered for merit scholarships as part of the admission review process. There is no separate application. Merit scholarships are available to applicants for grades 9–11, whether applying as day or boarding students, and do not affect eligibility for need-based financial aid. Merit scholarships are awarded to incoming students at the time of admission; recipients are notified of their award with their admission decision. Awards are renewed each year, provided the student remains in good standing.
Frequently Asked Questions
Because of our finite budget, financial aid at Madeira is competitive. While need is the first requirement for financial aid, the strength of a student’s application for admissions (in other words, a student’s academic and personal strengths) impacts our final selection process. Adherence to our deadlines also impacts award decisions.
The Financial Aid Committee uses Clarity to evaluate financial aid applications. Based on the information provided in the application, and the financial aid policies we have set as a school, Clarity provides an estimated amount your family can contribute to educational expenses.
The application will ask questions about your family’s income, assets, debt, and expenses. This includes factors like the number and ages of children in the family, parent ages (for purposes of estimating retirement needs), additional dependents, a family’s priority of spending, medical expenses, legal fees, and other obligations.
For students being offered admission to Madeira, we are committed to meeting 100% of their family’s demonstrated need. We do not gap families or offer full-pay contracts to families who qualify for financial aid.
At the end of our admissions process, we do have to place some qualified candidates in our Wait Pool. The Wait List at Madeira is a reflection of both our limited capacity and finite financial aid resources.
The Financial Aid Committee considers it reasonable to expect both parents to be employed if they are asking the School to assist with tuition costs. Should a family choose to have a parent not employed, the committee may impute an income. Consideration will be given to families with preschool children or other circumstances that preclude a parent from working.
Yes, we budget awards based on boarding and day status. It is generally assumed that a student will remain a boarding or a day student - as noted on the student's original enrollment agreement - throughout her time at Madeira. However, in some years, the School may be able to consider a request to change status. Should a change of status be approved, your award is subject to re-evaluation, factoring in your new tuition and availability of funds in our day and boarding budgets.
Yes, we award financial aid to international students. Parents should make use of a currency converter (if applicable) to submit a financial aid application through Clarity.
In lieu of U.S. tax documents, parents will be asked to submit their most recent paystubs, as well as letters detailing salary and benefit information. Letters must be on official company letterhead.
We expect families who enroll with a full tuition agreement to do so knowing it is a commitment through graduation. This is because we budget our awards by class with a four-year experience in mind. It is important to us to support current Madeira families experiencing hardship or other extenuating circumstances that necessitate they apply for financial aid for the first time. While we do our best to support these families as our budget and timeline allow, we cannot guarantee support.
Financial aid awards are granted on a yearly basis and are renewed subject to continued demonstrated financial need. Changes in your family’s financial circumstances may cause your award to increase or decrease. Pending no major changes, you can expect your grant award to remain consistent.
In the case of a divorce or separation, our policy is that both parents are responsible for funding the cost of a Madeira education, regardless of any special arrangements that have been made. We take into consideration the costs of maintaining two households but expect both parents to support their child’s education. Each parent must submit documentation and can do so via their own separate account in Clarity.
If a parent is remarried at the time they are completing the financial aid application, the step-parent must also report their income and assets.
In special circumstances, a separated or divorced parent may claim full financial responsibility for their child. To do so, the parent must complete a Parental/Custodial Statement which is available upon request in your Clarity portal.
