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ADMISSIONS
Tuition Assistance
World-class education, made accessible
A Saint James School education is an investment in your child’s future, and it is more affordable than you may think. Our school works to reflect the socio-economic diversity of our city. Each year, Saint James awards over $1 million in need-based financial assistance to students from PreK3 through 12th grade, ensuring that talented young individuals from across the River Region have access to an exceptional education.
All funds to support tuition assistance are generated through the Saint James School budget and through contributions to the school. Tuition assistance decisions are based on established policies and available funds. To be evaluated for assistance, a student must be actively engaged in the admissions process.
Tuition assistance is available for grades Pre-K3 through 12th grade.
How to apply for Tuition Assistance:
New and returning families must submit the online financial aid application to Blackbaud Financial Assistance. Tuition Assistance is awarded on a one-year basis, so returning families must reapply each year.
- Step 1: Admissions/Enrollment Process
Please contact the Admissions Office (admissions@stjmontgomery.org or 334.273.2992) to begin the admissions process for new students.
Returning students do not need to complete this step, but should be in good standing. - Step 2: Gather all necessary information
Find the necessary information in the tuition assistance worksheet. This worksheet will help you fill out your online application in Step 3. - Step 3: Apply for Assistance
Fill out the Blackbaud Financial Assistance Application online. Create a username and password to save your information. Submit the Saint James Tuition Assistance Application. After reviewing your completed documents, the business office will contact you.
Additional Tuition Support through state-funded programs
Scholarship for Kids
- This is a scholarship granting organization through the Alabama Accountability Act awarded through the state (not the school). This does not have to be repaid.
- The student must be a new student to Saint James School entering grades K -12 OR a current student can be awarded a scholarship with 3 new students added to the scholarship. The student receives priority funding if zoned for and attending a priority school (STJ is a priority school).
- This scholarship is not guaranteed.
- This can be paired with Tuition Assistance from Saint James School for an even larger award.
- The Scholarship is an award up to $10,000, renewable to graduation as long as the recipient meets the annual income requirements. The total family adjusted gross income from their previous year tax return cannot be more than 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Level.
- Enrollment for this scholarship for new students/applicants is May 15 -May31. The student(family) needs to be in touch with the business office by April 15 to begin the application process and gathering the documents to be submitted.
- You can only have one scholarship from the Alabama Accountability Act: Scholarship for Kids or the Alabama Opportunities Scholarship Fund; not both.
Alabama Opportunity Scholarship Fund
- This is a scholarship granting organization through the Alabama Accountability Act. This is
through the state, not the school. This does not have to be repaid. - The student must be a new student zoned for and attending a “priority” school (see attached
list). If they are not, only 25% of all scholarships awarded in a school year can be awarded to
students continuously enrolled in a private school during the previous school year (much more
limited than new students). - Awards are distributed on a first completed, first awarded basis with priority given to renewal
and new students zoned for and attending a “priority” public school. - Scholarship awards are as follows: $5,500 for K – 5 th grade; $7,000 for 6 th – 8 th grade; $8,500 for
9 th – 12 th grade. - This scholarship is not guaranteed. Parents will be notified of the scholarship July 1 st if
awarded. - This can be paired with Tuition Assistance from Saint James School for an even larger award.
- The award is based on the maximum annual income, which is 250 percent of the Federal
Poverty Level for the year (see attached chart for income levels). This comes from the adjusted
gross income from your Federal or State tax return from the previous year. - Applications for new applicants is EXTREMELY limited (3-4 days). This is somewhere after the April 15 th deadline. Parents should be in touch with the business office by April 1 st to start the application and gather the necessary documents.
- You can only have one scholarship from the Alabama Accountability Act: Scholarship for Kids or the Alabama Opportunities Scholarship Fund; not both.
Choose Act
- This is a $7,000 grant through the State of Alabama (does not have to be repaid) that is given to parents in the form of a debit card to pay for approved educational expenses (tuition) and other purchases.
- The parent cannot participate in both the Choose Act and Scholarship for Kids or Alabama Opportunities Scholarship fund. They can, however, pair the Choose Act with additional Tuition Assistance from the school.
- For the 2025-2026 school year, the student must be rising K-12 grade (K5 must be age 5, before September 1, 2025), be a resident of Alabama and have a household income that does not exceed 300% of the federal poverty level.
- For the 2025-2026 school year, the first 500 scholarships are reserved for students with special needs (students with learning disabilities and/or IEP plan), then students who are dependents of active-duty service members who are enrolled in or assigned to a priority school (a public school that received a D or F on its most recent school report card), then those whose household does not exceed 300 percent of the federal poverty level depending on funds availability.
- The application for this opens January 2nd and closes April 7th, depending on funds. This is first come, first served, so the sooner the application is submitted, the better. Funds will not be deposited into the parents “Class Wallet Platform/Account” until July 1st.
Tuition Assistance FAQs
Yes, each student’s need is recalculated annually.
The process takes approximately 5 business days to process once all information is submitted. Most families receive a tuition assistance award at the time of an admissions decision.
Assistance does not cover the cost of uniforms, books, field trips,or other miscellaneous charges.
If financial circumstances change significantly, make that known to the business office.
To get a complete picture of a family’s financial situation, the business office must receive accurate information from all the adults residing in the applicant’s home. The Blackbaud Financial Assistance application includes a section for special circumstances.
Get In Touch
Invest in your child’s future and unlock their full potential at Saint James School. Download our 2025-2026 tuition rates or contact our admissions office directly at (334) 273-2992 to learn more about our financial aid programs and payment options.
