Money Saving Mom®

Private school is a great option for many students and families, but it comes with a price tag! If you’re unsure you can handle the expense, keep reading for dozens of cost-cutting ideas from our readers!

When it comes to choosing a school for your children, the number of options can sometimes feel overwhelming. Public school, private school, charter school, virtual school, homeschool, co-op… or any combination of these options — whew!

Many families are opting for private schools these days — and while tuition may initially seem unaffordable, our thrifty readers have shared dozens of ideas they use to afford and/or save for private school tuition costs!

Ways to Earn Extra Cash for Private School Tuition Costs

Open a separate savings account for private school tuition and funnel all “extra” income into this account. Don’t allow yourself to pull from it for anything other than paying your tuition bill! Here are some ideas:

1. Work overtime at your current job.
2. Look for a second part-time job.
3. Deliver a weekly merchandiser paper for extra cash.
4. Run a firework stand in the summer.
5. Apply for online survey opportunities.
6. Sell items you own but don’t use on Ebay or Marketplace.
7. Start a home-based side-business.
8. Encourage older children to put a portion of their summer job income towards their school tuition.
9. Host exchange students (at your child’s school or a different school) and put that money towards tuition.
10. Try Amazon Review Videos.

Check out these 25+ easy ways to earn money + our huge list of income-earning ideas for even more inspiration!

Ways to Offset Private School Tuition Costs

Many of these options will vary significantly, depending on what your state, county, and school offers. Do some research, ask around to other families in the school, and you might be surprised at the different savings options you find!

1. Apply for state scholarships and grants.
2. Apply for financial aid from the school, even if you aren’t sure you qualify.
3. Apply for tax credits (if available in your state).
4. Volunteer or teach/sub/work at their school to get a discount on tuition (although not all private schools offer an employee discount).
5. Find a school that offers a multi-student discount.
6. Look into your church’s Education Foundation — they might offer partial tuition payments.
7. Look into the Raise Right program to help with tuition.
8. Choose a hybrid school vs. private so you’re only paying half the cost.
9. Pay tuition in full to get a discount vs. monthly payments.
10. Ask about ministry, first responder, or military discounts.
11. Barter janitorial services in lieu of tuition.
12. Get hand-me-down uniforms or buy them used.
13. Sell old uniforms and put money towards tuition.
14. Buy minimal uniforms and wash frequently.

Ways to Alter Your Lifestyle to Afford Private School Tuition Costs

For many families, private school tuition is a choice they make, even if it doesn’t work out on paper or make sense financially. As a result, they willingly make significant lifestyle sacrifices to free up more funding for tuition.

If there’s a will, there’s a way, and a can-do attitude is essential! Here are just a few ideas (check out this list for 50+ more ideas!):

1. Drive older, paid for vehicles.
2. Live in a starter/smaller home.
3. Relocate to a lower cost-of-living area with great private schools.
4. Do a staycation vs. an extravagant summer vacation.
5. Put any tax return income towards tuition.
6. Regularly put money into a 529 account for each child — ask Grandparents to contribute as birthday or Christmas gifts as well.
7. Pack lunches every day vs. eating the school lunch.
8. Shop clearance and thrift stores exclusively.
9. Stop eating out (you might be surprised how much you save every month!).
10. Cut out all the “extras” from your budget (cable TV, expensive data packages on cell phones, specialty beverages, grocery store splurges, etc.).

Psst! Looking for ways to save on college? Check out these ideas for going to college debt-free!

Do you have additional ideas to add to this list? Leave them in the comments below!