Admissions

Affording Bentley

We understand that an independent school education is a significant investment for your family. Bentley is committed to making our program financially feasible for families and to attracting talented, well-qualified students, regardless of their families’ economic circumstances.
Our Financial Aid program reflects a dedication to fostering a community that is enriched and strengthened by diversity and 25% of our families participate in the program. Each family must complete all application procedures annually by the renewal deadlines and continue to demonstrate comparable financial eligibility to receive assistance.

2022-2023 Tuition & Fees

List of 3 items.

  • Kindergarten - Grade 5

    $34,990
  • Grades 6 through 8

    $38,230
  • Grades 9 through 12

    $50,450
Additional Fees:
Transportation is provided for families K-12 at no additional cost, and our Before and After School Program is provided at no additional cost for Grades K-8. Families should expect to incur an additional fee related to co-curricular programs, field trips, textbooks (9-12), and supplies depending on grade level. (Approximately $1,500 for grades K-5 and $2,000 for grades 6-12.)

Applying for Financial Aid

Although all families at Bentley pay tuition, the range varies from a few thousand dollars a year to the full posted tuition. Families who would like to apply for financial assistance should submit financial information to SSS (School and Student Services). Bentley uses the information submitted to SSS to determine the appropriate Financial Aid grant. Families must update their financial information each year they are enrolled at Bentley, and the grant amount is based on this financial information.

List of 2 items.

  • STEP 1: Submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS)

    • Returning families to Bentley School must submit by December 10, 2022.
    • New applicant families to Bentley School must submit their financial aid application by the same date their admissions application is due.
    • To begin, click here.
  • STEP 2: Submit supporting documentation to SSS

    All supporting documentation for new families is due by February 15, 2023, and no documents are to be submitted directly to Bentley School. You will be asked to submit current W-2 forms and complete and signed tax returns for the two prior years.

    Families only need to complete one application, even if you have several children applying to Bentley School. You will get a username and password so you may save your information and return to it at a later date or time. If you need help completing the PFS, contact SSS customer service at (800) 344-8328.

    Bentley School's SSS code is 902023.

Our Ongoing Commitment

To ensure a student body that demographically represents the Bay Area, Bentley’s Financial Assistance Program aids the school in reaching a wider spectrum of students. 

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 8 items.

  • What is SSS?

    SSS (School and Student Services) is an online financial aid application service administered by Community Brands. The methodology created by independent school financial aid experts, including at the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS), provides a guideline when making need-based financial aid awards. SSS built its methodology on the principle that families of equal means should receive equal awards.
  • What percentage of students participate in the Financial Aid program?

    On average, between 25-30% of all Bentley School students receive financial assistance.
  • When is the deadline to apply for financial aid?

    Families should submit the Parent Financial Statement (PFS) no later than January 12, 2023, for new Upper School admissions. New Lower and Middle School admissions families should submit their PFS by January 19, 2023. All supporting documents for all new families are due to SSS by February 11, 2023.

    Kindly note that all requests for financial aid must be made at the same time an admissions application is received. No new considerations for financial aid can be accommodated after an offer of admission has been awarded.

    Returning Bentley families must complete their re-application for financial aid by December 8, 2022. 

    The PFS will be available for the 2023-24 school year beginning October 1, 2022.
  • How is Bentley’s financial assistance calculated?

    Bentley considers many financial factors that affect a family’s ability to pay an independent school tuition. The entire Parents’ Financial Statement (PFS) must be completed in order for the school to determine the appropriate Financial Aid grant. The PFS can be found at (insert a link). The Financial Assistance Committee calculates a family’s ability to afford tuition and operates separately from the admissions process. Unfortunately, Bentley does not have the resources to offer Financial Assistance to every student who qualifies for both admission and a reduced tuition. Each of the following are considered when determining a student’s Financial Assistance grant.

    Annual Income refers to pre-tax earnings from wages, personal investments, and business investments. The SSS formula that determines a Financial Assistance grant considers different expenses than the IRS uses to calculate taxable income. Therefore, all tax schedules must be submitted. If parents/guardians reside in separate households, the income and expenses of both households are considered in the calculation. 

    Assets also help determine a student’s Financial Assistance grant.  If a family has major assets, savings, or investments, the formula computes an income supplement that is added to the gross income. For some the additional income inferred from assets is a small factor, for others the asset value has a larger influence on their Financial Assistance Grant. If a student has assets (savings, trust accounts, etc.), the formula includes them in calculating the amount the parents can pay. 

    Family Size influences how income is adjusted by expenditures for housing, food, or medical needs to obtain the available discretionary income. 

    Number of Private School or College Tuitions Currently Being Supported - A student’s Financial Assistance grant takes into account the number of family members (including adults) attending any tuition-charging elementary school, middle school, high school, or college.

    Unusual Expenses are also used in determining the parent contribution for educational expenses. Aging grandparent, parent educational loan payments, legal fees, closing costs, and other expenses are examples that are listed in the application instructions for the PFS.
  • Where do Financial Aid funds come from?

    Funds to support the Financial Aid budget come from the school’s operating budget and from fundraising efforts by the school. Unfortunately, Bentley is not able to meet the financial need of every applicant who qualifies for financial assistance.
  • In families where the parents/guardians do not live together (e.g. divorced, separated, never married), do both households have to submit financial information?

    Yes, each parent/guardian household must submit a Parents' Financial Statement (PFS) along with all previous year's tax documents (1040, W-2, and any relevant schedules) to be considered for a financial assistance grant. Bentley determines the ability to pay by factoring in all available resources from both parents and step-parents, regardless of custody or other legal issues.

    Bentley may request additional tax documentation and families will be contacted directly for additional information, if needed.
  • If a family participates in the Financial Aid program, does the student stay in the program until they graduate?

    Provided family circumstances remain the same and Bentley’s resources can continue to support the program to the same extent, the school aims to fund the student during their entire enrollment. To continue in the program, the family must reapply each year. 
  • When does a family learn if they have been offered a Financial Aid grant?

    Admission acceptance letters include a student Financial Aid grant award. Families that do not qualify for financial assistance will also be notified at this time. 
Questions? We're here to help! 
Please email David Lazo, Director of Enrollment Management, at dlazo@bentleyschool.org.

K - 8 Campus

1 Hiller Drive
Oakland, CA 94618
(510) 843-2512

9 - 12 Campus

1000 Upper Happy Valley Rd.
Lafayette, CA 94549
(925) 283-2101