A parent in Bellevue mentioned during a consultation that they were about to give up on applying due to the high tuition fees, but they discovered that there are quite a few scholarship options available. This is a common scenario where people close the door prematurely just by looking at the tuition numbers.

Eastside Catholic School, located in Sammamish near Bellevue, is one such example. For the 2026-27 school year, the tuition for both middle and high school is $33,750 per year. Let's go through the financial aid programs offered by the school.

First, there is the Merit Award. Simply put, this is a scholarship given to students who excel academically or demonstrate strong character. The key point is that there is no separate application for this. As soon as you submit the regular admission application for 6th or 9th grade, the scholarship review begins simultaneously. Next, there is Tuition Assistance, which is based on family financial circumstances and requires an application through a system called Clarity, which has a $65 application fee. Additionally, there are 10 named scholarships for students preparing for STEM, environmental science, law, and medical careers. Applications are accepted every year on November 15. Lastly, support from the diocesan Fulcrum Foundation is also available.

It is not necessary to apply for all four programs at once. It is more efficient to first check one or two that match your family's situation and your child's characteristics. Before giving up just by looking at the tuition, it is advisable to go through these options in this order. When applying for financial aid, having your tax returns and income documentation from the last two years ready can help reduce the review time. If you miss the application period, you may have to wait until the next semester, so it's wise to mark the dates on your calendar in advance.

Let's also look at the enrollment statistics. Among the 147 graduates in 2026, 92 percent went on to four-year colleges, with enrollments at 72 colleges across 24 states and Washington, D.C. The cumulative acceptance count from 2021 to 2026 is 3,968, including prestigious institutions like Stanford, MIT, Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Duke, as well as many local reputable schools like the University of Washington, Oregon State University, and Pacific Lutheran University.

Now, let's examine the rental prices. According to RentCafe's data from August 2026, the average rent in Bellevue is $2,778. This is a decrease of 0.45 percent from $2,791 a year ago. A one-bedroom apartment costs $2,544, a two-bedroom is $3,210, and a three-bedroom is $4,324, which is relatively high even within the Seattle metro area. Bellevue is close to a concentration of tech companies east of Seattle, leading to steady rental demand. However, this is just a trend observed so far, and it cannot be definitively stated that this trend will continue. Many families choose to rent first to observe their child's commuting conditions and the neighborhood atmosphere for a few months before deciding to buy.

If you are coming from another state, it is advantageous that Washington has no personal income tax, but it is also important to understand that property taxes and sales taxes are relatively high. Please check with the King County department for the exact tax rates. When considering both child tuition and housing costs, Bellevue is certainly not a cheap option. However, many families believe there are valid reasons when considering commuting convenience and academic infrastructure.

Don't overlook school district boundaries. Within Bellevue, the assigned school can vary based on the address, so it is safe to verify the assigned school for that address before signing a lease. If you are curious about public school ratings, you can find reference materials on GreatSchools or Niche.

Rather than giving up just by looking at the tuition numbers, checking the scholarship programs one by one can broaden your options. Especially since financial aid applications have set deadlines each year, checking the school calendar in advance can be a practical first step. This article is not investment or legal advice, and it is recommended to consult with school and real estate professionals before proceeding with applications and contracts.