Tuition and Financial Aid - Archbishop Riordan High School | Co-ed Catholic education in San Francisco

2026 – 27 Tuition and Fees

Tuition: $29,000 | Application Fee: $100 | Registration Fee: $1,200

Additional tuition and fees apply for the programs below. Please see these sections for more information. Tuition assistance available.

learning support program Boarding students INternational Day Students 8th Grade students

Financial Aid

Riordan understands that the total cost of a college preparatory experience is a significant investment.

Our Financial Aid program is designed to help families bridge the gap between their own financial resources and the cost of a Riordan education. The program is based on need and is funded by endowment and other fundraising efforts.

Decisions regarding financial aid are separate from admission decisions, and are made by a committee after careful review of all information provided in the financial aid application.

How to Apply for Financial Aid

Riordan utilizes the services of TADS to help determine a family’s eligibility for financial aid. The application opens up on September 30, 2026. To begin the application, visit the TADS website.

Families applying for Financial Aid must submit all information via TADS by January 25, 2027 for the 2027-28 school year.
Notifications about financial aid will be mailed with acceptance letters.
Current families must reapply each year.
Archbishop Riordan High School is committed to preserving confidentiality throughout the financial aid process. Therefore, the school requires that all recipients of financial aid sign a letter of acceptance and confidentiality agreement.
Financial aid awards are issued for one school year. Families will be called upon to complete applications annually to substantiate continued need.
Outside scholarships may be recommended to those students whose profile supports the donors’ criteria, but all will first require a completed TADS online application.
First priority for financial aid will be given to applicants who have submitted completed applications by deadline. Late or incomplete applications are at risk for full consideration.

More Information

For additional questions about financial aid, please contact:

Mr. Matt Fochtman

Admissions and Enrollment Coordinator
mfochtman@riordanhs.org
415-586-8200 ext. 529

Outside Scholarships

Archbishop Riordan High School is pleased to partner with the following organizations that provide scholarships to students. Please see the below descriptions for scholarship criteria.

ACHIEVE

Achieve provides four-year high school scholarships to underserved, low-income students at multiple Bay Area private schools. As a year-round program, Achieve provides students with extensive academic support, mentoring, summer internships, and cultural and community service activities. It is the ultimate goal that all Achieve students go on to college, graduate, and become successful citizens who will give back to the community. More information about the program and information about how to apply can be found here.

The Achieve Application Deadline is TBD for the 2027-28 school year.

Learn more about Riordan graduates in the Achieve Program in this article.

Updated 8-28-26

ARCHDIOCESE OF SAN FRANCISCO SCHOLARSHIPS

BAY SCHOLARS

A nonprofit Bay Area network hub for change through education, Bay Scholars exists to make it possible for promising low-income scholars to have access to and flourish at successful college preparatory Catholic high schools in the SF/Bay Area. Awards are determined based on financial need and family size and are renewable for four years as long as the student is in good standing with the Catholic high school. More information and how to apply can be found at www.bayscholars.org.

MICHAEL AND SALLY MAYER FAMILY FOUNDATION LAW ENFORCEMENT SCHOLARSHIPS

About: "We are fortunate to be able to help law enforcement officers send their children to Riordan. My dad, my brother, and Sally's brother were all San Francisco police officers. My two brothers and I, and all three of Sally's brothers, are Riordan graduates. We hope that scholarship recipients will benefit, as our families did, from an outstanding Riordan education, and that web able these individuals will help future generations of Riordan Crusaders."
-Mike Mayer '71, past chairman of Riordan's Board of Trustees

For Students Applying to Riordan’s Freshman Class of 2031

The Michael and Sally Mayer Family Foundation is pleased to offer four scholarships of up to $4,000 each to eighth grade applicants whose parent is currently a law enforcement officer.

Eligibility:

A minimum national percentile rank of at least 50% on the High School Placement Test (HSPT)
A letter of recommendation from the applicant’s 8th grade teacher or grammar school principal attesting to their character and potential to fully participate in student life at Riordan

Essay Prompt & Guidelines:
An essay of 400-500 words addressing the following question: How has your parent’s job as a law enforcement officer inspired you? The essay should be signed and contain the following statement: “I attest that this essay is my own work.”

Essay and letter of recommendation must be received by January 20, 2027.

Please send all documents via email to Mrs. O'Connell at saoconnell@riordanhs.org.

For Currently Enrolled Students

Scholarships will range from $1,000-$3,000. The following is required to apply:

Eligibility:

A cumulative GPA of at least 2.75 for the last two semesters
Parent must currently be a law enforcement officer
A letter of recommendation from a Riordan faculty member attesting to the applicant’s character and full participation in life at Riordan

Essay Prompt & Guidelines

All essays and letters of recommendation must be submitted by February 23, 2027 to Mr. Morgan by February 23, 2027. Late applications will not be accepted.

If you have any questions regarding the application and essay, please email Mr. Morgan.