REDEFINING MIDDLE SCHOOL

Tuition & Financial Aid

The FBRA experience is now more attainable than ever. Payment options include self-pay, financial aid, state grants through NCSEAA, and a combination of all. We are committed to enrolling students for whom full tuition might be a barrier to considering FBRA. Contact us if you have questions or would like to discuss your situation.

2026-2027 Tuition

6th grade tuition for 2026-2027: $22,900
7th & 8th grade tuition for 2026-2027: $23,500

Several payment plans are available, including early-bird, annual, semi-annual, and monthly. We require the purchase of tuition insurance (1.55% of total tuition) for families on the semi-annual and monthly plans. Tuition insurance is optional for families on the early-bird and annual plans.

Tuition includes all school materials, textbooks, a laptop for in-school use, certain uniform items, some meals, and all domestic field lessons, overnight trips, and the Costa Rica International Field Experience in 7th & 8th graders.*

*Students travel to Costa Rica in the spring of 7th & 8th grades, and the cost of this trip is included in the tuition. However, if trip airfares exceed $600, parents will be invoiced for the excess amount, not to exceed $500. For example, if airfare is $550, there will be no invoices sent. If airfare is $895, families will be invoiced the $295 overage amount.

2027-2028 Tuition

2027-28 tuition will be set by our Board of Directors in November 2026.

Tuition typically increases 3-6% annually to account for inflation and cost of living increases.

Financial Aid

The French Broad River Academy Financial Aid program is designed to make a FBRA education possible for all families based on demonstrated financial need and the availability of funds. FBRA is proud to use the Clarity Application(opens in new tab) to determine a family’s level of financial need based on the information that families share in the application which includes assets, income, expenses, and debts.

To get started, please go to the Clarity Application(opens in new tab) and create an account. The application typically takes less than 30 minutes to complete. At the end of the application, there is a $60 fee to submit, and you can share your application with additional schools that accept the Clarity Application for no additional charge. Fees are automatically waived for qualifying low income families.

If you need support, Clarity's customer service is excellent and easy to access. Clarity is also offering the following LIVE Family Support Webinars

For more information about financial aid, or if you have questions about the process, please contact Admissions Directors Dorrie Sieburg or Elizabeth Douglas(opens in new tab).

More About The Financial Aid Process:

New families must also apply for student admission(opens in new tab) in order to be considered for financial aid.
Returning families must apply through Clarity every year.
Priority consideration will be given to families who apply by December 1. Applications received after this date will be reviewed on a rolling basis and grants awarded based on availability of funds.
Families applying for need-based aid should also apply for an Opportunity Scholarship and/or Disabilities Grant through NCSEAA(opens in new tab) (NC State Education Assistance Authority). For the 26/27 school year, their application window will open on February 1, 2026.

START A CLARITY FINANCIAL AID APPLICATION

Opportunity Scholarships

FBRA participates in the Opportunity Scholarship and Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Programs through the North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority(opens in new tab). The state funding for this program has expanded in recent years, and many FBRA families find that they may qualify for a scholarship at one of the four income tiers.

For the 27-28 school year, the portal will open on February 1, 2027, and priority consideration is given to applications received by March 1, 2027. These state grants can be a way to complement direct aid received from French Broad River Academy.

APPLY FOR AN NC OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP