Don’t let finances discourage your family from exploring Saint Stephen’s! We strive to maintain an affordable yet appropriate tuition structure and appreciate the financial commitment our parents make to send their student(s) to Saint Stephen's.

SSES annually makes more than $1-million in need-based financial aid available to qualified students, as we strive to create an outstanding student body in pursuit of academic, artistic, and athletic excellence. All interested applicants are encouraged, regardless of financial status, to explore the various tuition assistance and affordability options offered.

SSES values its ability to operate as an independent school and does not accept funding from any Florida state-sponsored scholarship program. However, the school’s own financial assistance program is commensurate with the state-issued Florida Tax Credit Scholarship Program and Family Empowerment Scholarship for Educational Options, which averaged $7,817 per eligible student in Manatee County in 2024-25.

Three different tuition payment plans are offered – with varying timelines for payment – in order to provide flexibility and choice for families as they budget.

Applying for Financial Assistance

Students requesting need-based financial assistance must first successfully complete the application process and be offered admission to Saint Stephen's. Admission is determined without regard to a student's application for financial aid.

In order to allocate resources wisely and fairly, Saint Stephen’s uses the online Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) service as the standard submission format and processor for all tuition assistance applications. The application process is self-guided, and parent guides are available in English and Spanish on the FAST website. You may navigate in and out of the program, allowing you to complete an application partially and go back to it at another time. Customer service is available only from FAST through online email (help@ismfast.com) and a 24/7 helpline (1.877.326.FAST).

FAST does not decide whether tuition assistance will be given or how much will be given. FAST provides a financial aid analysis service, which includes a recommendation of what a family should reasonably contribute toward tuition. Saint Stephen’s uses the analysis provided to make financial aid determinations. All information from FAST is confidential. Because need is assessed annually, a new FAST application must be submitted each year.

How to apply through FAST: Provide a complete copy of your current year’s tax return(s), including W-2s and all schedules, directly to: FAST Processing, ISM • 1316 North Union Street • Wilmington, DE 19806-2594. Be sure to include Saint Stephen’s name on the outside of the envelope to ensure faster processing of your application. Mailing envelopes are available in the Business Office.

If there are any special circumstances of which the School’s Tuition Assistance Committee should be aware, you may explain these circumstances on the FAST application. The Saint Stephen’s Tuition Assistance Committee reviews the completed FAST application and any related information when determining financial aid awards.