If you ask a Trinity College School parent, student or alumnus the value of a TCS education you are likely to hear that the experience is “life-changing” and “priceless.” However, being able to offer an education, community and learning environment that are energetic, illuminating and complete, means there is an associated cost in the form of tuition. We realize that many families feel such a financial commitment is beyond their capabilities. That is why TCS works to support families who would not otherwise be able to afford a TCS education on their own. The School is pleased to be able to award over $3.5 million dollars in bursaries each year.
Tuition & Fees
The School's current tuition and fees can be found by selecting the applicable link below.
Financial Assistance
Our financial assistance program is comprised of need-based bursaries and merit-based scholarships. Approximately 90% of the School’s $3.5 million financial assistance budget is directed towards our “need-based” bursaries. We also offer a handful of "merit-based" scholarships. Understanding the School’s financial assistance program, by reviewing the information on this website carefully, will help families determine their eligibility as well as clarify the different options available.
Separate from our formal financial assistance program, we also offer incentive pricing that may benefit families of Canadian boarding students. The Canadian Families Boarding Incentive Program was introduced in recognition of the School's 150th anniversary and offers a $57,000 incentive for Canadian boarding students entering Grade 9.
To learn more about these opportunities, select from the three options below.
Financial Assistance Frequently Asked Questions
- Who evaluates a family's financial assistance application?
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Trinity College School uses the Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) application which is a service of Independent School Management (ISM) to review applications for financial assistance.
- What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship? What bursaries and scholarships are available?
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Bursaries are awards based on "demonstrated need," or the amount of financial support deemed necessary to make TCS financially possible for a family. Any family who feels that they are unable to afford the full cost of tuition is encouraged to indicate their wish to explore financial assistance on the Online Application or the Online Inquiry Form. This will prompt a financial review by Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) from Independent School Management (ISM), which is required in order to be considered for a bursary. Bursary awards can be generous, however, award size is typically capped at 50% of annual tuition for both Senior School and Junior School students. For more information visit the bursaries page.
Scholarships are awarded based on "merit" or ability. Requirements for scholarships are typically highly specific, with an additional application process, and can be competitive as there will usually only be one recipient per scholarship. Scholarships can be very generous, offering full tuition or, in some cases, awards over and above the cost of tuition. The scholarships offered each year will vary, for a full list of the scholarships offered for the upcoming school year and associated requirements, please visit the scholarships page.
Bursaries and scholarships are made possible through the generosity of past and present members of the TCS community; they are not loans, therefore, recipients are not expected to pay these back.
While not a scholarship or a bursary, the School also offers a $58,000 incentive to Canadian boarding students through the Canadian Families Boarding Incentive Program.
- Are there other factors that are taken into account when being considered for financial assistance?
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In order to be considered for financial assistance, a student must have successfully completed the admissions application and been offered enrolment at the School. Students applying to TCS are evaluated on their test scores, school reports, performance in the interview, and follow-up on references. We weigh quite heavily the overall contribution a student is likely to make to the TCS community.
- Is financial assistance renewed annually? Does financial assistance carry over to subsequent years?
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Bursaries will be reassessed annually based on the family's financial need as well as on the student’s performance both academically and as a citizen of the School. As for scholarships, please refer to the specific details of each individual scholarship.
- Before we begin the application process, can we get an idea of how much we might expect to receive in financial assistance?
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Bursary awards are limited to a maximum of 75% of the tuition fee for both Senior School and Junior School students. The average award for the last three years has been $20,000 for boarding students, $7,000 for Senior School day students and $3,000 for Junior School day students. For more information about awards received through our financial assistance program, visit our bursaries page.
- Are there financial awards given for athletics or arts?
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No. Financial assistance, in the form of bursaries, is determined based on need and not ability. While being a strong student or co-curricular contributor would put a student into consideration for admission to the School and possible financial assistance, if Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST)'s analysis indicates that no support is required, a student will not receive a bursary, regardless of merit. In the case of scholarships, the School is looking to enrol well-rounded young people. Scholarships have specific requirements and are awarded based on merit, not financial need.
- Do we have to pay back the financial assistance that we receive?
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No. The financial assistance awards, both bursaries or scholarships, are given from the School’s endowment and were gifted to TCS from alumni and parents. This financial assistance is in place to help families who would otherwise not be able to afford a TCS education.
