Tuition Structure
SJI offers students an intensive, integrated program necessary to help them achieve at the highest level possible. The staffing and technology necessary to carry out such a specialized program in a modern and comfortable facility is quite expensive. 

SJI recognizes that, were it necessary to cover all costs through tuition, our program would be inaccessible to most families. For that reason, our staff works hard to find resources to partially fund the gap between tuition and our actual costs. We receive grants from local and national foundations, contributions from corporate sources and generous families and individuals. Nearly 50% of our operating costs are covered by other revenues, allowing us to set our tuition below our actual cost per student. 

Because we feel an integrated approach works best, our tuition covers our academic program, daily therapy and routine audiological support.

For the 2009-10 school year, our tuition fees are as follows:
Tuition, Therapy and Other Services $26,000.00

Financing Alternatives
The staff and Board of Directors of SJI recognize and appreciate the financial commitment an SJI education requires. We believe the value of an SJI education is more than the tuition rate can convey. However, for many families-even those strongly committed to an SJI education for their child-the financial commitment is difficult to manage. Each family must decide if they can allocate the necessary resources. During this process, consider that there may be alternatives available for funding your child's education. For example:

• Under federal law, your school district (even those outside of Missouri) may provide funding for your child's education at SJI if the student's IEP calls for this type of program and the school district is unable to provide it.
• Many insurance carriers will provide coverage for the speech therapy portion of the program. Depending upon coverage, this can relieve the family of up to 60% of the tuition costs.
• Due to our generous benefactors, SJI has a comprehensive financial assistance program for those families demonstrating need.
• There are several educational loan programs that offer low interest rate loans with extended amortization schedules for families that need additional assistance.
• In most cases, the cost of a specialized education is tax-deductible. Please consult a financial advisor for more information.

SJI Financial Assistance Program
SJI is committed to providing a superior auditory-oral education to all qualified students. If your family does not have the resources to fund this type of educational program, please consider applying for financial assistance. Financial assistance awards are grants to the family and do not require repayment. These awards are based solely on demonstrated financial need. Financial need is determined taking into account many factors including income, net worth, standard living expenses, certain unusual expenses, family size, and the number of children attending tuition-charging schools. We seek to assist families who are committed to using their own resources to fund educational expenses and ask each family to "stretch" their funds to the extent possible, using financial assistance only to the degree necessary.

Recipients of financial assistance are held to the same standards as other students and families, they are given no special consideration other than tuition reduction. Decisions regarding financial assistance are made separately from admissions decisions and are always kept confidential.

Families must apply for financial aid each year to ensure that their specific circumstances still qualify them for assistance. Every effort will be made to see that a family receives substantially the same assistance relative to tuition each year if their financial status remains substantially the same. Preference for limited funds is given to students who are already enrolled in the school with the goal that no current student must look for an alternative due to financial circumstances.

If you wish to be considered for financial aid for the next academic year, please request an application packet from Kathy Krueger, SJI's Chief Financial Officer, ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it ) 636.532.3211 ext. 211. Complete the information requested in the application packet. An important part of the application is the "Parents' Financial Statement" (PFS) provided by SSS (School and Student Services for Financial Aid.) SSS is a service of the National Association of Independent Schools and is widely used by the Financial Aid Committees of schools nationwide to objectively determine the financial need of applicant families.

In addition to sending the PFS, you will be asked to send Kathy Krueger a copy of your 2008 IRS 1040 form. It is SJI's policy to consider the resources of both natural parents when determining financial aid, even if the parents are divorced or separated. In these cases, each parent will be asked to complete a PFS. Exceptions are made due to family circumstance.

The time to apply for financial aid is when you apply for admission. In that way, you can evaluate the value of an SJI education relative to your financial commitment and make a fully informed decision.