Harvard-Westlake's tuition for 2026-27 is $54,900, plus a one-time new student fee of $2,500 for new students, according to the school's tuition and financial aid page. The school offers need-based financial aid only, and it says approximately 21% of its students receive aid. Families who want aid must apply during the admission process, with the application due January 15, 2027.
This guide covers the published tuition and fees, how the aid program works, the steps and dates for the 2026-27 cycle, and the mistakes that can close off aid. It is for parents of applicants for fall 2027 entry, and every number below comes from the school's own pages as of October 23, 2026. Tuition for the year your child would actually enroll (2027-28) is not on the pages we reviewed, so check the school's admissions site for that year's figure.
Tuition and fees for 2026-27
The school's Tuition and Financial Aid page lists:
- Tuition: $54,900
- New student fee: $2,500
- Bus service (optional): $3,800 to $4,000, for Middle School and Upper School service, with the Upper School receiving a 50% fee credit subsidy
- Other estimated expenses: $2,500 to $3,500 for books, meals, activities, and similar items, described as typical but subject to variation
The FAQ gives a slightly different range for other expenses: it says books, transportation, meals, and class activities typically average $2,500 to $5,000, and in its aid discussion says tuition of $54,900 means roughly $59,900 including books, lunches, transportation, and other expenses. When the two pages differ, treat the range as a planning estimate and ask the school which figure applies to your family.
How financial aid works
The school's description is plain: aid exists "to attract and enroll the best students in Los Angeles regardless of their financial profile," and every grant is need-based and customized to each family's circumstances.
Facts the school publishes:
- Approximately 21% of the student body receives aid. The tuition page lists 340 students receiving aid and $16.8 million in total aid offered for 2026-27.
- The FAQ says the average tuition responsibility per student is $16,000 and that tuition grants, awarded for demonstrated need, average 71% of tuition.
- The school strives to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for each student it enrolls.
- There are no academic, athletic, or other merit scholarships. Aid is completely need-based.
- Every grant includes items such as new student orientation, a $1,500 draw account for the cafeteria and school store, a $1,500 computer stipend, class retreats, books and course materials, required athletic uniforms and equipment, and reduced school transportation fees, among others listed on the page.
- Families on aid make ten tuition payments from July to April at no additional charge, according to the FAQ.
The Financial Aid Estimator on the tuition page lets you pick an income range and number of children paying tuition to get an idea of what tuition might be for your family. The school says its office makes the ultimate decision.
Does applying for aid hurt admission chances
The FAQ's answer: the school "strives for a need-blind admission process." It says it is not yet at that goal, but its financial aid budget is substantial enough that it can meet the full financial need of virtually all applicants it would like to admit. It does not claim a formal need-blind policy, so read the statement as it is written.
How to apply for aid, step by step
- Start the application. The school partners with Clarity Financial Aid to process applications. You create an account through the link on the tuition page, fill in your information, and upload documents. The school says Clarity collects information and documents, but the school's Financial Aid Committee determines grants and eligibility.
- Mind the dates. Applications open August 24, 2026. The school lists an online workshop for applicant families on December 16, 2026 at 6 p.m. The application deadline for applicant families is January 15, 2027, the same day as the admission application. Decisions are posted March 12, 2027, along with admission decisions.
- Apply at the same time as admission. The FAQ says the financial aid process, though separate, runs concurrently with the admission process.
- Use the fee waiver. The application fee for admission is waived if you apply for financial aid, per the How to Apply page.
- Expect an annual renewal. The FAQ says the school evaluates aid annually and the Financial Aid Office will contact you with instructions to reapply.
The Financial Aid Office lists financialaid@hw.com, and the FAQ names a Director of Financial Aid (818-487-6607) and an Assistant Director (818-487-6605).
The rule families miss
The FAQ is firm about timing. Students who do not apply for aid at the time of admission are not eligible for aid later. The school keeps a small fund for families who suffer unforeseen financial reversals, but it says that fund is strictly reserved for dramatic, unforeseeable reversals after enrollment, and "no funds are available for families with pre-existing needs not disclosed at the time of admission."
A "full-pay" application tells the school the family can cover all educational expenses for the student's entire time at Harvard-Westlake, including support from relatives. So if you might need aid at any point because of a known circumstance, apply for it now. If a financial crisis happens during the application process, the FAQ says to notify the financial aid office immediately.
Other aid policies in the FAQ
- Divorced, separated, or never-married parents: the school says all parents have an obligation to contribute and describes how step-parent and household assets may be considered.
- A non-earning parent: additional income equal to tuition may be imputed, with listed exceptions such as caring for a young child or a seriously ill family member.
- A younger sibling: if you have a full-pay child enrolled and need aid for a younger sibling, you must apply when the younger sibling applies, and the application must cover both children.
- Other tuition-charging schools: you must apply for aid at all schools your children attend.
Common mistakes
- Applying for aid after admission. The school says it does not award aid to families who did not apply at the time of admission, except in unforeseen reversals.
- Missing January 15. The aid application is due the same day as the admission application.
- Quoting the wrong year. The figures on the page are for 2026-27, so confirm the current year.
- Assuming merit aid exists. The school says it gives none.
- Not reading the whole FAQ. The household and sibling rules above can change the outcome.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Harvard-Westlake tuition?
The school's tuition and financial aid page lists tuition of $54,900 for 2026-27, plus a one-time new student fee of $2,500. Check the school's admissions site for the year your child would enroll.
Does Harvard-Westlake offer financial aid?
Yes. The school says approximately 21% of its student body receives aid, all grants are need-based, and it strives to meet 100 percent of demonstrated need for each student it enrolls.
Does Harvard-Westlake offer merit scholarships?
No. The FAQ says the school does not give academic, athletic, or other merit scholarships, and financial aid is completely need-based.
When is the financial aid application due?
The deadline for applicant families is January 15, 2027, the same date as the admission application. Aid applications open August 24, 2026, and decisions are posted March 12, 2027.
Can we ask for aid after our child is admitted?
The FAQ says no, except in rare cases of dramatic, unforeseeable financial reversals after enrollment. Families who did not apply at the time of admission are not eligible for aid later. For the other dates in the cycle, see the admissions timeline.
Next step
For the rest of your planning, the financial aid page and the programs page describe what HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues offers.
Sources
- Harvard-Westlake Tuition and Financial Aid
- Harvard-Westlake Frequently Asked Questions
- Harvard-Westlake How to Apply
HarvardWestlakePrep by EduAvenues is an independent service, not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Harvard-Westlake School.