How to Choose the Right Tuition Level for Your Family

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One of the first things families often notice when registering for a class is our pay-what-you-can tuition model. And one of the first questions we hear is: “What am I supposed to choose?” 

Pay-what-you-can tuition is meant to remove barriers, not create confusion. In this post, we’re here to explain why sliding scale and pay-what-you-can matters to us, and how we encourage families to choose a tuition level that truly works for their real life. 

Back in August 2025, we shared an article that explains why a pay-what-you-can tuition matters. If you’d like to read it, click here. The short version is simple: cost should never be the reason a student can’t pick up an instrument and play music.  

Choosing a tuition level isn’t just about income 

Pay-what-you-can tuition has been a part of Seattle JazzED from the very beginning. Families’ circumstances look different, and those circumstances can’t be captured by a single number or income bracket. 

One of the biggest misconceptions we hear is that tuition choice should be based only on household income. But we know life is more complex than that. 

You might be: 

  • Managing both childcare and eldercare expenses

  • Paying off debt or student loans 

  • Saving for retirement 

  • Building an emergency fund 

  • Managing medical expenses 

  • Navigating rising rent and grocery costs

  • Experiencing job changes or financial uncertainty 

So, when we say, “choose what works for your family,” we mean your whole family and your whole life. 

What we want families to do 

We want families to: 

  • Know whatever you can pay is meaningful in supporting our community 

  • Choose a tuition level that feels sustainable 

  • Feel confident, not guilty, about their choice 

  • Understand that there is no “wrong” level 

Standard tuition covers the cost of running our programs, including paying fair wages to our teaching artists. If paying standard tuition feels doable for your family right now, that support helps make our programs possible for others. The tuition levels above standard tuition are for families who want and are able to contribute more, helping offset costs for families who can't. 

Above all else, the most important thing is that your student gets to participate. 

What if you can’t pay anything right now? 

Families can choose a level that works for them, including paying less than standard. Payment plans are also available to help spread costs over the season.  

If paying tuition isn’t possible at this time, families can also request a no-tuition code during registration; no explanations are required. We trust you to know what your family needs. 

There are no separate programs and no differences in how students are treated. Every student receives the same high-quality instruction, care, and opportunity. 

If you can’t pay tuition right now, there are still ways to support JazzED.  

Some families ask how they can support JazzED during seasons when tuition isn’t possible. Here are a few meaningful ways: 

  • Spread the word. Share our programs with friends, neighbors, teachers, band directors, or other families who might be looking for music opportunities. 

  • Show up when you can. Attending performances, jamborees, or community events helps build a supportive environment for students. 

  • Share your experience. A kind word, testimonial, or referral goes a long way in helping other families feel confident about joining. 

These forms of support help our community grow and matter just as much as financial contributions. 

All that said, choose the level that feels right to you right now. Life changes, and your choice can change too. 

We’re grateful you’re considering Seattle JazzED, and we’re excited to make music with your student.