Paying for a Private School Education

Why a Merion Mercy Education?

Merion Mercy Academy is an investment in your daughter’s future.

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A Merion Mercy Education Is...

Accepting nothing less than academic excellence and transformative learning experiences.
Seeing her inspired and empowered to lead and serve in the Mercy tradition.
Committing to her growth as a healthy, independent and strong young woman.
Knowing that this education will prepare her for academic and professional success that will satisfy her personal aspirations and serve the world.

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“I am thankful that my parents sent me to a school where I have made connections that will last a lifetime."

—Nina Gilbert ‘22, Spelman College

“Thank you, Merion, for giving me confidence in myself and showing me how to be a courageous woman in the world."

—Monica Merenda ‘22, New York University

“I am grateful to my parents for this Christ-centered education that will benefit me for the rest of my life."

—Erin Kirk ‘22, Duquesne University

Tuition & Fees 2024-2025

We understand the role that cost can play in the decision to choose a private school education. In order to provide you with a full financial picture, we have taken care to outline our tuition and any associated fees.

Tuition for Merion Mercy is $23,950 per year (inclusive of the activity fee, which covers many school events, yearbook and the literary magazine, and is typically a separate charge at other schools). Should you have more than one daughter attending MMA, we offer a 10% discount for the second and subsequent daughters during concurrent enrollment years.

Additional costs include:

Our school uniform is approximately $500.
Personal laptop
Sports fees (if your daughter is a member of an athletic team). Team fees are approximately $250, which does not include personal equipment. For the crew team, the cost is approximately $1,500 and includes their uniform and equipment. Please feel free to contact Director of Athletics, Shannon Fisher (sfisher@merion-mercy.com), for a detailed quote should your daughter be interested in a specific sport.
Book fees for novels and workbooks for some courses
Course fees for AP courses, online courses and Art courses

For questions about tuition payment plans, contact our Business Office at 610-664-6655 ext.152.

"Merion was the greatest gift that my parents ever gave me. They believed in the mission of Merion Mercy and sacrificed so much for my sister and me. It is a gift for us to send our daughters to MMA!" —Maggie Hepp Oliver ’95, P’24, ’27

Scholarships

For scholarship consideration, students should submit completed admission applications to Merion Mercy Academy by November 1, 2024. Required supplemental application(s) for Mercy, Alumnae, Art and Music scholarships must also be received by November 1. Limited spots are available.

Merion Mercy Academic Scholarships

This scholarship is our highest academic recognition, designed to reward students with exemplary achievement and a commitment to leadership and service. Academic scholars are invited to meet the Assistant Head of School for Academics to explore a vibrant course of personalized study, our Diploma with Distinction Program, and potential Diocesan Scholar program where students can take classes at local universities. For consideration, students must complete the HSPT on October 12 or 19 at Merion Mercy. Admission applicants are automatically considered for academic scholarships; no separate application is required. Scholarships will be awarded in mid-November.

The Alumnae Scholarship

Alumnae scholarships are awarded to daughters of Merion Mercy graduates. For consideration, qualified applicants must demonstrate high academic achievement and commitment to Mercy core values. Attracting legacy students is vital not only for maintaining a sense of tradition and continuity but also for fostering a deeper connection between the past and present, enriching the educational experience for both the students and Merion Mercy as a whole. Apply by filling out our application, which is due November 1, 2024.

Mercy Scholarships

Mercy scholarships are highly competitive awards for students with academic potential and a commitment to the tradition of empowering women to pursue their highest potential through lifelong learning, compassionate service and responsible leadership in a global society. For consideration, prospective students should submit our application, which is due November 1, 2024.

Merion Mercy Music Scholarship

Sister Ethel Sweeney, RSM, Fine Arts Scholarship

Financial Aid

We are committed to offering an excellent education to all qualified students. Our financial aid program is designed to bridge the gap between a family’s ability to pay and the true cost of an MMA education.

Successful applicants are accepted to MMA without regard to the family’s financial situation, and a subsequent financial aid application will have no bearing on that decision. We are unable to guarantee that we can meet all families’ financial needs, but we do currently provide financial assistance to a third of our students.

See below for answers to some of the most common questions regarding financial aid:

Financial aid applications and award data remain confidential within the Financial Assistance Committee. Likewise, MMA expects families to keep their awards confidential.
Both prospective and current families may begin to apply for financial aid through FAST beginning October 4, 2024. The filing deadline for prospective families is November 1, 2024 and February 1, 2025 for returning families.
Prospective families will be notified of their award decision when they receive their daughter’s formal acceptance package to Merion. Families unable to meet the November 1 deadline for applying may be placed on a financial aid waiting list.
Current families receiving aid are required to apply annually. Aid will only be applied to a student’s re enrollment contract if the renewal process is complete and the current year’s tuition/food accounts are current.

Who may apply for financial aid?

Both prospective and current families may apply for financial aid through FAST, beginning October 4, 2024.

Prospective families will be notified of their award decision when they receive their daughter’s acceptance package. Families unable to meet the November 1 deadline for applying may be placed on a financial aid waiting list.

Current families receiving aid are required to apply annually. Aid will only be applied to a student’s enrollment contract if the renewal process is complete and the current year’s tuition is up-to-date.

Is financial aid the same as a merit scholarship?

How are financial aid decisions made?

How is the family’s financial need determined?

Financial need is defined as the difference between MMA’s tuition and the family’s ability to pay. The ability to pay is reported to MMA by FAST after FAST receives and reviews the application. Major factors affecting the family’s ability to pay include assets (including but not limited to home equity and retirement savings), liabilities, and family size.

FAST also makes allowances for standard living expenses and taxes. In addition, MMA’s Financial Aid Committee offers input in these decisions.

How does a family apply for financial aid, what are the deadlines, and when will we be notified of an award?

Families apply using the Financial Aid Student Tuition (FAST) form. FAST has been upgraded to streamline and simplify the financial aid process for our families. This new process is intended to save time, reduce errors, and provide a more user-friendly experience. Enhancements include a universal application link, ability to apply for multiple students that may be applying to multiple schools, optimization for mobile devices, and a direct pull of tax returns from the IRS with family consent. The cost to submit the application form is a non-refundable fee of $60. The FAST application form is now available.

Is my initial financial aid award automatically renewed each year?

Families of incoming freshmen:

The deadline to complete the FAST application is November 1, 2024. Families will be notified of their award with their daughter’s formal acceptance to MMA.

Current school families:

For families renewing their financial aid or families applying for aid for the first time, the deadline to complete the application is February 1, 2025. Before a financial aid renewal is confirmed, previous year tax returns (2023) are required as well as 2024 W2/1099 income information. Tax returns for the current tax year (2024) will be collected when they become available.

The Financial Aid Committee meets in mid-February. If a family’s award remains the same as the previous year, it will be directly applied to their re-enrollment contract provided the financial aid process is completed and their tuition account is current. If there is a change from the previous year’s award, the family will be notified.

Contact

Questions? Contact Lucille Donnelly, Financial Aid Manager, at ldonnelly@merion-mercy.com or 610-664-6655 ext. 102.

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Tuition, Scholarships & Financial Aid