Tuition and Fees
Our tuition embodies our commitment to nurturing every student’s God-given talents—both evident and undiscovered—in a dynamic, faith-based learning environment.
There is nothing more important than a child's education. Knowing that my children are taught in a safe, friendly environment with teachers who provide unwavering support and instill in them values my family believes in is worth every penny. - M. Smith, mother of three graduated students and one current student.
In-Parish
Total Tuition + Fees
Siblings
In-Parish Qualifications
Eligibility for In-Parish Tuition Rates: The In-Parish tuition rate is available to all Catholic families who are active members of The Basilica of Saint Mary parish.
What defines an active parishioner? An “active parishioner” is defined as someone who has formally registered in the parish, received a parish ID, and is an active participant in parish life which also includes financial contributions to the parish through the use of an established regular e-giving plan in ParishSoft or parish issued envelopes that have your parish ID noted on them (at least 26 per year April -April).
- If you live within the parish boundaries and are a registered, active member of the parish (see above requirement), in parish rates are automatic and then reviewed each year.
- If you live outside the parish boundaries you must be a registered and active Basilica of Saint Mary parish member for a period of one year (as of April 1) before you may be eligible for in parish rates. Please contact the parish office for details on registration requirements.
Who determines parish status? The Pastor of The Basilica of Saint Mary parish determines parish status. The Basilica School of Saint Mary defers to the Pastor or his representative at the parish for examination of records to determine the membership of a family and their participation in parish life.
If I live outside of the boundaries, can I qualify for In-Parish Tuition? If you live outside the parish boundaries, you must be a registered and active Basilica of Saint Mary parish member for a period of one year (as of April 1) before you may be eligible for in-parish rates. Please contact the parish office for details on registration requirements.
What if I am a military family and was recently transferred to the area? Recently transferred military families have the opportunity for an exemption to the 1 year parish member requirement in order to receive in parish tuition rates, provided they register with The Basilica of Saint Mary and are an active parishioner as outlined above.
Mater Dei Services
Eligibility for In-Parish Tuition Rates: The In-Parish tuition rate is available to all Catholic families who are active members of The Basilica of Saint Mary parish.
What defines an active parishioner? An “active parishioner” is defined as someone who has formally registered in the parish, received a parish ID and is an active participant in parish life which also includes financial contributions to the parish through the use of an established regular e-giving plan in Faith Direct* or parish issued envelopes that have your parish ID noted on them (at least 26 per year April -April).
To read more about the eligibility for in-parish tuition rates, please click here.
Full Day PreK
Half Day PreK
Out-of-Parish
Total Tuition + Fees
Siblings
Mater Dei Services
Non-Catholic
Total Tuition + Fees
Siblings
Mater Dei Services
Military Families
Recently transferred military families have the opportunity for an exemption to the 1 year parish member requirement in order to receive in parish tuition rates, provided they register with The Basilica of Saint Mary and are an active parishioner as outlined above. Please note that the in parish tuition rate does not apply to our PreK program. Our PreK program has a set rate for all students. Check out our military webpage here.
Additional Information
Withdrawal Policy
Tuition is withdrawn over 12 months starting in June for each academic year.
- If a student withdraws after January 15 but before June 1 for the upcoming school year, the parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for the re-registration/acceptance fee and tuition deposit which are non-refundable.
- If a student withdraws anytime between June 1 and the first day of school, the parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for the June, July and August tuition payments and fees including the book/technology fee, registration/acceptance fee and the tuition deposit.
- If a student withdraws on or after the first day of school, the parent(s) or guardian(s) are responsible for six months of tuition and fees; or tuition and fees through the conclusion of the year.***
Financial aid and scholarships are non-refundable.
Transcripts will not be provided until these financial obligations are met.
***Military moves or other extenuating circumstances will be handled on a case by case basis.
Withdrawal Steps:
- Step 1: Email Principal Loia (rloia@smsva.org) and Mrs. Campione (mcampione@smsva.org) notifying them about the withdrawal.
- Step 2: Fill out the required withdrawal form that will be sent by Mrs. Campione.
- Step 3: Email Mrs. Ana Marku (amarku@smsva.org) to schedule an exit interview with Principal Loia.
Tuition must be current and up to date before the withdrawal process can begin. The first month’s tuition or tuition deposit, registration/acceptance fee, book/technology fee, extended day registration fee, milk fee, financial aid and scholarship money are all non-refundable. There is no tuition refund for students expelled for disciplinary reasons.
Tuition Assistance
What types of aid are available? The types of financial aid available are listed below. When you submit your application in FACTS, you are automatically applying for all the categories listed below which apply to your family.
- Basilica School of Saint Mary Tuition Assistance:
- Funding for this program is provided by assistance from The Basilica School of Saint Mary, monies donated and designated as scholarship funding, and grants designated for scholarships.
- Eligibility Criteria: Students and accepted students of The Basilica School of Saint Mary. Pre-K students are not eligible
- Qualifications are determined at the school level based on the analysis of information submitted in your FACTS Grant & Aid Application and letter to the Financial Aid Committee.
- Qualifications are determined at the school level based on the analysis of information submitted in your FACTS Grant & Aid Application and letter to the Financial Aid Committee.
- Barry Ford Scholarship:
- Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship is awarded to a Catholic African American student who is a student or accepted student of The Basilica School of Saint Mary and demonstrates a financial need for tuition.
- Eligibility Criteria: The scholarship is awarded to a Catholic African American student who is a student or accepted student of The Basilica School of Saint Mary and demonstrates a financial need for tuition.
- Diocesan Aid
- Information on Diocesan Aid can be found here.
- How do I apply?
- Submit the FACTS Grant & Aid Online Application found here. There is a $45 processing fee.
- Submit a letter to the school, addressed to the Financial Aid Committee that outlines your need. Please send the letter in an email to our school bookkeeper at rmalvaso@smsva.org.
- Due Date: March 14, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions:
- Will my personal information be kept private? Yes. The Basilica School of Saint Mary keeps all personal information confidential. Information is evaluated by our Financial Aid Committee, where Confidentiality Statements have been secured. At the school level, the information is reviewed only by the Principal, Pastor, Bookkeeper, and Parish Finance Director.
- How will I find out if I receive an award? Families receiving awards will receive a letter from us (emailed in May) with one total amount which includes all of the aid received from each of the categories of aid. Awards are made for one academic year and are based on each family’s demonstrated financial need. Once these final award decisions have been made, the school will then credit the tuition accounts of approved families. Families must reapply each year as awards are not carried over year over year.
FACTS Payment System
The Basilica School of Saint Mary's tuition program is administered by FACTS Tuition Management Services. All families are to have a FACTS account, with a payment plan selected and is linked to a form of payment (credit card or bank account). Should you choose to link your account to a credit card please note that FACTS assesses a 2.85% processing fee. The account set up is not complete until the payment plan is selected and it is linked to a form of payment. Once these accounts are set up, The Basilica School of Saint Mary will enter the tuition/fee amounts. You may choose to pay your tuition in one lump sum on June 1 or opt for the 12 month payment plan. Families taking advantage of the 12 month payment plan option will be charged a $55 fee from FACTS (no fee if paying up front).FACTS will charge a $30 fee for any returned payments (NSF). The first withdraw for all families will be collected on June 1 and all subsequent withdrawals will be taken on the date you selected as part of your payment plan.
- If tuition payments have been erratic, we reserve the right to request tuition payment in full at the start of the school year.
- If tuition payment is not current by the end of the first semester, children may not return for the second semester until their tuition is brought up-to-date.
- Eighth grade students, whose tuition payments are not current, will not receive their report card and graduation certificate. In addition, transcripts will not be forwarded to their chosen high school until their tuition account is cleared.