TUITION AND FINANCIAL AID

Ensuring Access For All Students

The O’Dowd community is deeply committed to accessibility. Our tuition covers roughly 88 percent of our expenses, with the generous philanthropy of our current families, alumni, and friends of O’Dowd fulfilling the remaining operating budget. We do this because we are dedicated to ensuring that O’Dowd is affordable to as many families as possible. Paired with tuition assistance, which funds 30 percent of our students, we remain steadfast in making O’Dowd a place of belonging for every family.

2025-2026 Tuition and Fees

$26,710

$1,100

Tuition

Enrollment Deposit (non-refundable; not reduced by financial aid)

$27,810 Total

Additional Fees

Additional expenses may be incurred for technology and books, as well as optional student activities such as athletics, co-curricular clubs, and student programs.

30%

of Students Receive Financial Aid

$1M+

in Pandemic Emergency Funding for Families

12%

of O’Dowd Tuition is Covered by Philanthropy

Parent Pledge

To bridge the gap between the actual cost of an O’Dowd education and tuition charged, we ask families to make an annual tax-deductible pledge of $2,400 for each of their enrolled students. The Parent Pledge directly funds our dedicated and talented teachers, and our award-winning programs, including drama, debate, athletics, and our Living Lab. The Parent Pledge also funds our enriching campus ministry program, leadership development opportunities, as well as our expanded counseling center, with student wellness programs and comprehensive academic support.

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

O’Dowd’s commitment to access and affordability ensures that financial aid is available to as many students as possible with demonstrated financial need. It is our goal to allow as many qualified students as we have means, the opportunity to attend O’Dowd.

Financial aid applications will be available on this page by December 15, 2025 and must be submitted for incoming freshmen and transfer students on or before February 3, 2026 and for returning students on or before February 10, 2026.

2026-2027 Financial Aid FAQ

If you have additional questions about financial aid, please contact Nancy MacKinnon by email at nmackinnon@bishopodowd.org.

Additional Aid Opportunities

There are two supplemental assistance programs. Please check the income requirements for each to see if you qualify.

Income guidelines for Family Aid Catholic Education (FACE)
If your income falls within the FACE guidelines, simply put a check in the FACE box under organization on the FACTS application and you will be considered. No separate application is required for FACE.

Income guidelines for Bay Scholars

If your income falls within the Bay Scholars guidelines, please use the link below to submit a Bay Scholars application.

O’Dowd partners with Bay Scholars. Bay Scholars exists to make it possible for promising low-income students across the Bay to have access to and flourish at successful college preparatory Catholic high schools. Visit Bay Scholars to apply.

O’Dowd offers one merit-based scholarship - The Presidential Scholarship Award. It is awarded during the application process to students who exhibit exemplary academics and a strong commitment to the community.