Admissions
Tuition & Value

Financial Aid

Message from the CFO

Choosing a Jewish day school education for your child is an important decision, and we recognize the choice you have made to invest in your child’s Jewish education. The goal of Golda Och Academy's financial aid program is to close the gap between the total cost of a GOA education and what a family can afford. All GOA financial aid is need based.

We think of financial aid as an investment in your family. Like you, we look toward building on our rich community and traditions and endeavor to inspire and educate tomorrow’s leaders – your children. Here at Golda Och Academy, we work in partnership with every family to bring the cost of our incomparable education within reach.

Golda Och Academy is able to invest in the education of future Jewish leaders due to the extraordinary generosity of loyal donors and alumni. We are extremely grateful for the support of Paula and Jerry Gottesman Family Foundation and the Jane and Dan Och Family Foundation for bringing our middle income affordability program to life.

If you have questions, feel free to be in touch!

Jennifer Carlin, CFO/COO

List of 1 members.

  • Photo of Jennifer Carlin

    Jennifer Carlin 

    Chief Financial Officer/Chief Operating Officer
    Rutgers University - BA
    State of New Jersey - Certified Public Accountant (CPA)

Which option is right for our family?

List of 4 items.

  • Tuition MAX Program

    We recommend applying for the Tuition MAX Program if your AGI is between $150,000 and $400,000, and you meet the following criteria:
    • You have 90%  W-2 income
    • You have less than $500,000 in liquid assets (excluding home equity)

    You can find your Adjusted Growth Income (AGI) on Line 11 of your IRS 1040 Form.
     
    AGI (income plus 4% of assets other than pension and primary residence):  
     
    $150-000 – $174,999: 13%
    $175,000 – $199,999: 14%
    $200,000 – $249,999: 15%
    $250,000 – $299,999: 16%
    $300,000 – $349,000: 17%
    $350,000 – $400,000: 18%
     
    The Greater MetroWest Jewish Day School Affordability Initiative (“Tuition MAX”) was created to ensure the total cost of tuition does not exceed 18% of a family’s adjusted gross income when they meet the program's requirements. At Golda Och Academy, we are happy to be able to cap tuition at no more than 18% for families at the top of the range and 13% for families at the lower end of the range. The Tuition MAX program has a streamlined application and indexes tuition-to-income, enabling you to budget tuition for future years – no matter how many children you have in the school. If your income is in the specified range, the Tuition MAX program calculation is the maximum you will pay for tuition, but you may qualify for a greater reduction through the traditional Financial Aid Program.
     
    GOA has a rolling financial aid process for the academic year 2024-25. The priority deadline for consideration is March 15, 2024. You may apply after that date when your tax return is completed. Your household 2023 tax return is requested for the academic year 2024-25 and we want to make sure all applications are consistent in their documentation presentation.  
     
    Please note that the Tuition MAX Program is a consideration for support and the application for Financial Aid is through the FACTS platform.  
     
    We do have limitations as they relate to the financial aid available, and we would encourage you to submit sooner than later. 
     
    Click here to apply for financial aid. Families who submit their application by March 15 will be notified by March 22. 

    Click here to download the Tuition Max application form.
     
    Contact financialaid@goldaochacademy.org with questions.
  • Financial Aid

  • 529 Plan

    As of January 1, 2018, families may now use up to $10,000 per year from a 529 plan to pay for tuition expenses at private elementary and secondary schools, such as Golda Och Academy. Please contact your 529 provider for more information on how to acces these funds.
  • Jewish Communal Professional Discount

    Families with at least one parent working as a qualified Jewish Communal Professional will receive an automatic discount of $1,500 (per family, cannot be combined per student). All that is required is to answer the employment questions at the time of enrollment (no application!).

    Eligibility: one parent must be working full time as clergy in a synagogue, a director level position in a synagogue or a management level position at a Jewish Federation or Federation affiliated Jewish agency.

    Restrictions: while this discount can supplement financial aid, it may not reduce the family’s tuition below the policy minimum.
     

Important Deadlines

For new students:
Financial Aid and Tuition MAX applications are due
concurrent with the Admissions application

For returning students:
Financial Aid and Tuition MAX applications are due on
March 15