Admissions

Affording GOA

Investing in Your Child’s Future

At Golda Och Academy, we nurture each child’s Jewish identity as part of a shared legacy—honoring our past while shaping the generations yet to come. With an exceptional Jewish and general studies education, your child will be prepared to lead with confidence and purpose. We are honored to partner with your family on this journey and are committed to making GOA accessible.

2026-2027 Tuition

Base Tuition     Per Year   Per Month
Pre-K $24,500   $2,042
Grades K-5
$32,610
   $2,718
Grades 6-8 $36,395   $3,033
Grades 9-11 $42,395   $3,533
Grade 12
$36,395
   $3,033

Need-based tuition assistance is available for families who qualify, helping make a GOA education more accessible.

Making It Affordable

Our tuition assistance program reflects our commitment to accessibility, equity, and the values of tzedakah and community. To make the allocation process as straightforward, fair, and comprehensive as possible, we utilize the standardized FACTS Grant and Aid Assessment Application. FACTS is an independent company that is the national leader in financial aid assessment for independent schools. FACTS evaluates families’ financial information to arrive at the amount of tuition that a family could reasonably afford to pay each year. It uses information you provide through an online application as well as your supporting tax documentation to make its determination.  
 
Our overall financial aid philosophy is guided by the principles of ”Tuition Max”, a program funded by the Day School Council of the Jewish Federation of Greater MetroWest NJ. The primary principle of Tuition Max is that qualified middle-income families will not need to pay more than 18% of AGI between $150,000 and $300,000 (assuming the family has no business income and liquid assets less than $500,000).  There is a simple application for Tuition Max however, we recommend that all families seeking financial assistance complete the full FACTS process as we have found that most of our families in that income range only pay between 8% and 15% of their AGI in tuition obligations. 
 
Families should only apply for financial aid if they have limited resources and cannot reasonably meet the full cost of tuition. The GOA Financial Aid Committee considers the FACTS recommendation and the family’s personal statement, and allocates awards to ensure support is distributed as equitably as possible among qualifying families. The committee assumes that each family receiving aid will make their child’s education a financial priority.  

The chart below shows a family's likelihood to be granted financial aid at different income levels:
 

How to Apply for Financial Aid

We know the financial aid application process can feel complex. Our Admissions and Finance teams work closely with families every step of the way. To begin your Financial Aid application, click here for the FACTS website. Financial Aid Online Applications are due by January 5. Applying after the deadline may result in denial of financial aid.

Our children flourished at GOA in a way we could have never imagined. Thank you for your sincere care and attention to their adjustment and well-being. —Milana & Michael, Current GOA Parents. 

Important Financial Aid Dates

January 8, 2027
Online application and 2025 IRS 1040 (including all schedules) due

January 29, 2027
W-2 submission due

February 26, 2027
Financial aid awards communicated to families

March 2, 2027
Appeals due by the end of day via email to Julia Rasmussen, CFO

Frequently Asked Questions

List of 10 items.

  • Are there additional fees for the 2026-2027 school year?

    Building Maintenance Fee: Students in Grades 1–12 are assessed a one-time $2,000 fee that supports major building repairs and long-term campus improvements and capital projects. Families with more than one child enrolled will pay this fee only once over the course of their time at GOA.

    Security Fee: Students in Grades PK–12 will be charged an annual $500 fee. Families with three or more children will be capped at $1,200. This fee helps support our security team, video monitoring systems, and other measures that keep our campuses safe and secure.

    After School Programs: Lower School students (Pre-K through 5th Grade) can optionally participate in either “Aftercare” and/or our after-school enrichment program called “Funtracks”. Costs vary per day/class. For more information, click here.

    Bus Transportation: GOA provides bus service for fees that vary based on location and one-way or round-trip transportation. Costs range from $1800-$5000.

    Athletics: Students who participate in Upper School (grades 6-12) athletic sports will be charged ($150) per sport, annually.

    Grade Level Activity Fees:
    Grade 5: $100
    Grade 6: $475
    Grade 7: $300
    Grades 8-12: $700
    Grade 9: Na’ale 10-day trip to Israel: $5,000. Financial assistance through the Eric F. Ross z'l Grant is available.
    Grade 11 AP Exams: There is a $101.50 fee per test.
    Grade 12: 3-month Internship ($2,000) OR 3-month Neshama trip to Poland/Israel ($16,500, plus airfair). Financial assistance through Eric F. Ross z'l Grant is available.

    Some optional field trips/activities require an additional fee, including program like Model UN.

  • Who can apply for Financial Aid?

    Families at any income level may apply for financial aid, as each family’s financial circumstances are unique. In reviewing applications, we consider all income sources, assets, and expenses. That said, families should apply only if they genuinely have limited resources and cannot reasonably meet the full cost of tuition; financial aid should not be considered as a general discount available to any family who applies.  There are limited funds available and we want to ensure that we can make GOA affordable for as many families as possible.

  • Is there a sibling discount?

    Financial aid applications are evaluated on a per-family basis and take into account your full family composition, including any additional education expenses you may be paying.

  • What are the required documents and deadlines needed for my financial aid application?

    January 8, 2027: Online FA Application due with 2024 Tax Return (including all schedules);  If you have a business that files a business return, you may be asked to submit that return as well.

    January 29, 2027: Families must upload 2025 W2s and/or 1099s.

    February 26, 2027: Financial aid awards will be announced if all application materials have been submitted by the deadlines.

    March 2, 2027: 2025 Tax Returns must be submitted to confirm the award.  If income changed significantly from the 2024 tax return, there could be an adjustment to the awarded financial aid.

  • Is there a book/supply Fee?

    Golda Och Academy provides all books needed for school. Families are responsible for any school supplies that a student might need.

  • What are the tuition payment options?

    Tuition may be paid in up to 12 installments, with the first payment due in June. FACTS Tuition Management assesses a fee of $25 to administer plans of 1 or 2 payments and $55 to administer installment plans of 3 or more payments (included with your first payment). 

  • Does GOA provide lunch?

    Yes, GOA provides lunch at an extra cost, depending on the a la carte items that are ordered.

  • Is there Tuition Insurance?

    Yes, tuition refund insurance is automatically applied to a student's account at a rate of 1.6% of net tuition unless a family opts out. The opt out process is communicated in July.

  • Who can I contact with questions about FA?

    Questions regarding Financial Aid can be directed to our CFO, Julia Rasmussen at jrasmussen@goldaochacademy.org.

  • Do I need to reapply each year for FA?

    Yes, families need to reapply for financial aid every year. FACTS charges a $45 fee to process and analyze financial aid applications, payable at the time of submission.

Wilf Lower School Campus

Eric F. Ross Upper School Campus