Tuition Assistance

If MIS is the right place for your child, we want to help make the finances work for your family. We don’t think tuition should be a deterrent to any family who wants to join the MIS community.

Our need-based tuition assistance program helps bridge the difference between the cost to attend MIS and a family’s ability to pay.

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Did you know?

One in three MIS students receive tuition assistance.

MYTH vs REALITY

MYTH

Our family makes too much to qualify.

REALITY

This common misperception often prevents families from pursuing an independent school education. MIS works with each family to understand their unique financial situation and help make a MIS education a reality for their child(ren).

MYTH

The tuition assistance application is too complicated.

REALITY

The application shouldn’t take more than 45 minutes to complete if you have your most recent 1040, all pertinent schedules, and basic information regarding your family’s monthly expenses, assets and liabilities.

MYTH

There is no tuition discount for multiple children.

REALITY

The tuition assistance application process takes into account the total amount of tuition a family pays, so that families with multiple children attending MIS often qualify for some tuition assistance; essentially this is a discount on the total tuition paid by the family.

FAQs

  • Tuition Assistance is determined by your family’s ability to meet educational expenses; it is based on need, not on a willingness or unwillingness to pay. Every family is expected to contribute to the cost of their student’s education and no assistance award exceeds 75% of tuition.

  • Assets of both parents along with stepparents or domestic partners are considered before making any award. Divorced or separated parents retain the obligation to contribute to education expenses (whether or not there is a legal agreement between them to do so) and cannot be held by the assertion that one parent has disclaimed responsibility for it. Therefore, all parents/partners need to complete all steps in the application process.

    If extenuating circumstances might warrant waiving the requirement, contact our CFO at 406.542.9924.

  • All inquiries, questions, tuition assistance applications and awards are kept confidential. Your family’s financial information is retained by School and Student Services (SSS) which maintains the highest levels of security standards.

  • The SSS website for families has a PFS workbook, downloadable guides and a link to the Family Portal login page. There is a wealth of support documents and the application is in available English and Spanish.

  • Applications for 2024/2025 TA can be submitted starting in September 2023.

    Review the steps in the application process (click here) .

    SSS will make an assessment of need and recommend an amount the family is able to contribute to tuition.

    MIS will send an offer of tuition assistance.

    Accept or reject the offer!

    If you need help, please contact our CFO at 406.542.9924 or call the SSS family support center at 800.344.8328 or email

    sss-cst@communitybrands.com anytime.

  • Monday, February 17, 2025, is the deadline for 2025/2026 applications.

    Tuition assistance is limited and not necessarily available after the deadline.

  • We attempt to offer a comparable level of assistance to returning students as long as your family’s economic situation is unchanged. Tuition assistance is awarded annually and renewal is not automatic nor guaranteed as funds fluctuate and your family’s finances may change. You are required to submit an application each year.

  • SSS requires a fee of $60 per household to submit your application.

    Families applying for tuition assistance are eligible to pay a reduced tuition deposit at the time of re-enrollment each year in February.

  • Many factors determine whether or not your family will qualify for tuition assistance - household income and expenses, assets and debt, and the number of children attending tuition-requiring schools, for example.

  • You are asked to provide information about income (taxable and non-taxable) from all sources (including business, rental, partnership, farm, and trust) for the prior tax year. Although not essential for completing the application, it is easiest to do so if you have a copy of your tax documents for the immediately preceding tax year. You also need to provide monthly and annual expenses, and information about all assets and liabilities.

  • Within the application, you will have an area to explain any anticipated changes in income and/or other information that you feel would be helpful in determining your family’s qualification for tuition assistance.

    Please contact our CFO at 406.542.9924 with questions.

  • Yes. However the school's tuition assistance funds may already have been allocated to earlier applicants. 

    Please contact our CFO at 406.542.9924 with questions.