Education is a major investment in your student’s future. Ojai Valley School strives to assist families with this commitment by providing need-based financial aid and scholarships. We hope to aid as many deserving families as possible, and we expect that families will make their children’s education a financial priority.
Tuition and Fees
Ojai Valley School offers an exceptional educational experience. In structuring our fees we strive to provide families with many services within the tuition and fees, including after-school care for children, hot lunches for day and boarding students, textbooks, outdoor education trips, and more.
Click here for the Tuition and Fee Schedule for the 2024-25 school year. In addition to tuition, families pay into a Tuition Protection plan through Protect My Tuition.
Financial Aid
Ojai Valley School is committed to supporting its student community by providing financial assistance to families that cannot afford full tuition. Financial aid is awarded after careful consideration by the Financial Aid Committee. Awards are granted annually and requests must be renewed each year. Financial aid is limited with the majority reserved for returning students.
Admission and financial aid applications are separate processes. Financial aid grants vary based on grade and corresponding tuition levels, as well as a family’s demonstrated need and the availability of funds. Ojai Valley School does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender expression, age, national origin, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its operations or activities, include the selection of students and the evaluation of financial assistance for families. We are committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.
We have chosen Clarity as our Financial Aid application provider in order to better serve both our current and prospective families. The online application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. The application fee is $60. If you need assistance completing the application, there is support available by email and phone in both English and Spanish.
Click the link above or the button below to create your account and start the process:
Financial Aid Calendar
The Admissions Office will begin to process Financial Aid requests on January 5, 2024. All Financial Aid applications for new and returning families will be submitted to Clarity. Consider the following dates in your planning:
January 5, 2024: Admissions Office begins to process financial aid requests through Clarity.
February 1, 2024: Financial aid deadline for returning families to be considered in the first round of decisions.
March 1, 2024: Financial aid deadline for new families to be considered in the first round of decisions.
March 15, 2024: Admission and Financial Aid Decisions are sent to families on or before this date. Financial aid requests will be considered by the Committee on a rolling basis as funds remain available.
April 10, 2024: Enrollment contracts with aid offers are due to the Admission Office.
Scholarship Opportunities
In addition to financial aid, Ojai Valley School offers a limited number of merit and need-based scholarships. These grants are supported by endowments or gifts to the OVS Annual Fund. They are awarded at the discretion of the Financial Aid Committee. They include:
William S. Gill Jr. Scholarship
Alumnus William S. Gill Jr. (L52) passed away in November 1994 and through his estate designated funds to support local underprivileged students who without financial support could not afford the benefits of a boarding school education. These endowed scholarship funds are restricted to one or more boarding students, who must reside in Santa Barbara or Ventura counties.
Michael D. Hermes Scholarship
The scholarship was established in recognition of alumnus Michael D. Hermes (L53), who served for 34 years as president and chief executive officer of Ojai Valley School. The scholarship, which is generously supported by the OVS Annual Fund, is awarded to well-rounded day or resident student who exemplifies Mr. Hermes’ commitment to character, community, scholarship, athleticism, and leadership.
Salimbaceous Grants
The Salimbaceous Grants continue a legacy of generous support started two decades ago by the Cass family to help female students pursue their passions and talents. The Cass sisters believed that too often money stood in the way of girls achieving their potential, so each year they funded grants intended to help girls make their dreams a reality. Since 1996, those grants have allowed numerous middle and high school girls pursue their passions in art, music, literature, technology, and science. Today, endowed funds from the Cass family support annual grants totaling $21,000 for qualified female students who possesses the “dreams, schemes and promise” of achieving their goals.
Educational Loans
In addition to financial aid and scholarships, Ojai Valley School partners with Your Tuition Solution, which can provide affordable educational loans and extended payment plans for families with children attending OVS. Please contact the Admission Office for more information.