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Tuition and Fees

Affordability

At Garces Memorial High School, we believe that no family should have to choose between a quality education and making ends meet. To achieve this goal, Garces Memorial has developed a truly unique personalized tuition model. Our tuition subsidies are need-based and tailored to each family’s income level and their individual circumstances. Garces Memorial does not offer merit, athletic or special-achievement scholarships. 

Did you know the 2017 tax reform package expanded 529 plan benefits to include up to $10,000 per year tax-free withdrawals for private, public, or religious elementary, middle and high school tuition? If you have a 529 plan in place, you may want to reach out to your financial advisor to discuss your options. 

Thanks to the fundraising we do and the generosity of our benefactors, Garces Memorial was able to award nearly $2 million dollars in tuition assistance for the 2024-25 school year to make the dream of private Catholic education affordable for as many families as possible. Priority is given to families who complete the financial aid application requirements by the deadline. 

To apply for tuition assistance, a completed application for admission and a FACTS Grant & Aid application must be submitted. The maximum amount the school is able to award is 50% of the cost of tuition. The amount awarded is based on the recommendations of FACTS Grant & Aid from the data provided by the applicant. There are additional resources available, and our applicants are strongly encouraged to also apply for need-based scholarships offered through the Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation.  If you are Garces alumni, apply for the Garces Alumni Scholarship, and if you are Catholic, you might want to consider applying for the Peter Anthony Catholic Education Fund Scholarship for K-12 Catholic Education. 

Current Year Tuition

  • 9th-12th grades: All Families $14,750
  • International Students: $18,000

Additional Annual Costs

  • Registration Fee: $500
  • Student Services Fee: $300 for First Year Students, $550 for Returning Students (includes retreat fee, graduation fees, ASB fee, Yearbook, PSAT testing, CPR training & Certification fee, returning student technology fee, and miscellaneous classroom fees)
  • First Year iPad Purchase: $600
  • Textbooks: $200 (estimate)
  • Uniforms: $200 (estimate)
  • PE Clothes/Uniforms: $50 (estimate)
  • Athletic Fees: $225 for football | $175 for Aquatic sports - Water Polo, Swim and Dive | $150 per sport for all other sports/maximum charge of 2 sports per student.
    - Spirit Packs/Athletic Practice Uniforms: $150 - $200 per sports
  • Additional Fees: $45 - $225 (AP testing, dances, Kairos retreat for juniors and seniors, etc.)

Payment

  • Tuition Payments: The first tuition payment is due July 1st. 
  • Garces Memorial High School offers four payment plans:
  • Plan 1 - Annual payment
  • Plan 2 - Semiannual payment
  • Plan 3 - Quarterly payment
  • Plan 4 - Monthly payment for eleven months (Most Common)

FAQs

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Tuition Assistance and Merit Scholarships

Tuition Assistance

Garces Memorial is committed to offering every student in Kern County the opportunity to receive a Catholic education. For this reason, the Garces Financial Aid program was established. Garces Memorial High School provides financial assistance to those families who demonstrate financial need.  If you currently receive financial aid at Garces, you must reapply. Scroll down to How to Apply.

All families who feel they may qualify for need-based financial aid are encouraged to complete the application . The size of the financial aid award will depend on the level of demonstrated need. No student will receive the full amount of tuition in financial aid.

Any family that needs tuition assistance must apply no later than February 16, 2024. No individual will be considered for financial aid, or scholarships provided by the Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation, and Garces Alumni Scholarship, unless they have completed and submitted all the forms and the required paperwork through the FACTS Grant & Aid program. All funds will be awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis depending on availability and need. Information and the necessary forms for tuition assistance are available below. A $35 processing fee is required by FACTS Grant & Aid to generate a completed application.

How to Apply for Tuition Assistance

 

Financial Aid applications, Bakersfield Catholic Education Foundation and Garces Alumni Scholarship applications must be submitted no later than Friday, February 21, 2025 for consideration.  Late applicants will only be considered if there are funds available.  Please note that incomplete applications and missing documents will result in a delay in processing by FACTS Grant & Aid which may affect the ability of the committee to award funds.

For additional information and assistance, visit the FACTS Grant & Aid website or contact Mrs. Lee or Ms. Abbott at 661-327-2578 for additional help.

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