Free Boarding Schools for Children & Teens: Costs and Eligibility

There are a few free and low-cost boarding options in the United States. The hard part is finding one your family can afford that accepts your child's age or grade and can meet their needs.

Some schools cover tuition, housing and meals. Others cover tuition but still charge for room, board, medical care or personal expenses. "Free" can mean very different things.

A boarding school is not automatically a treatment program. If you are searching because your child has serious mental health or safety needs, that distinction matters as much as the price.

The schools and programs below are starting points, not recommendations or a complete list. Meeting eligibility rules does not guarantee admission or an available place.

School information reviewed against official websites on October 6, 2026. This was a website review, not a licensing inspection, phone confirmation or assessment of care quality. Confirm current costs, eligibility and availability with each program.

Listings are for information purposes and do not imply a recommendation.

Start here: school, support or treatment?

A college-preparatory boarding school focuses on education and campus life. A residential children's program may provide a home, school and counseling. A residential treatment program provides a different level of care. These are not interchangeable.

Ask your child's care team what support is needed and whether the program can provide it. A low price does not make a program the right fit.

For a mental health crisis in the United States, call or text 988 for free, confidential support. A school application is not a crisis response. https://988lifeline.org/

Read our guide to types of residential treatment for children: https://parentingstronger.com/types-residential-treatment-children/

Free and low-cost options at a glance

• Pennsylvania – Milton Hershey: all costs covered for enrolled students; low-income families; ages 4-15 at enrollment; behavior and support-service criteria apply.
• Pennsylvania – Girard College: full scholarship covers tuition, room, board and other school costs; eligible limited-income single-parent or guardian households; five-day boarding; family transportation required.
• Washington, D.C. – SEED DC: tuition-free college-preparatory boarding; DC residents; currently published entry grades 9 and 10; students go home on weekends.
• Maryland – SEED Maryland: tuition-free college-preparatory boarding; Maryland students; incoming grades 6 and 9; public lottery.
• North Carolina – NCSSM: no cost for tuition, room or board; NC residents, grades 11-12; academically selective, not treatment.
• Texas – Boys Ranch: residential care and services at no charge; transportation and medical costs remain; confirm age and support needs with intake.
• Oklahoma – Cookson Hills: home, Christian school and therapy; ages 5-17; tuition support and family contributions discussed at enrollment; do not assume every expense is covered.

Boarding schools for education and opportunity

Milton Hershey School – Hershey, Pennsylvania

Milton Hershey serves children from qualifying low-income families. It states that all costs are covered for enrolled students, including education, housing, meals, clothing, supplies and health care.

Children must be 4-15 at enrollment, have the ability to learn within the school's programs, be free from serious behavior problems likely to disrupt classroom or student-home life, and be able to participate in and benefit from the program. Prospective students are assessed individually; a diagnosis alone is not the entire decision.

MHS cannot provide every level of care. Review the service and behavior requirements before applying. It considers children from across the United States, with geographic preferences explained in its criteria.

Eligibility: https://www.mhskids.org/recruitment-and-admissions/eligibility-criteria/

Costs and campus life: https://www.mhskids.org/about/faqs/

Girard College – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Despite its name, Girard is a boarding school serving grades 1-12. Every admitted child receives a full scholarship covering most attendance costs, including tuition, room, board, meals, supplies and uniforms.

Its eligibility page allows applications for grades 1-10 from children at least age 5. Main entry points are grades 1, 5 and 9; other openings depend on availability. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents from eligible single-parent or guardian households with limited financial means.

Girard has academic, attendance and behavior requirements and limited support services. It reviews IEPs, 504 plans and behavior support plans. This is not a treatment placement.

Parents or guardians must manage Friday pickup and Sunday return. Girard does not provide transportation.

Eligibility: https://www.girardcollege.edu/admissions/eligibility/

Scholarship and boarding: https://www.girardcollege.edu/admissions/faqs/

The SEED School of Washington, D.C.

SEED DC is a public, tuition-free, college-preparatory boarding school. Students arrive Sunday evening and go home Friday afternoon. Families need a weekend plan.

The published 2026-2027 criteria require both student and parent or guardian to be DC residents. Entry is into grades 9 or 10, with age and prior-grade rules. Families apply through the My School DC lottery.

Ask about the next application cycle and current openings. The admissions page also contains older waitlist information; do not treat a past deadline as a current opportunity.

Program: https://www.seedschooldc.org/admissions

Eligibility: https://www.seedschooldc.org/how-to-apply

The SEED School of Maryland

SEED Maryland is a tuition-free, college-preparatory boarding school for students across Maryland. Its published entry points are sixth and ninth grade, through a public lottery. Students live and learn on campus during the week.

Ask about residency documentation, current deadlines, weekend arrangements and any family expenses.

Official information: https://www.seedschoolmd.org/

North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics

NCSSM is a public, two-year residential high school for NC residents in grades 11-12, with campuses in Durham and Morganton. Its residential program page states that tuition, room and board are free.

An application is required. This is an academically selective school, not a treatment program.

Program and costs: https://www.ncssm.edu/residential

Residential home, school and support programs

Cal Farley's Boys Ranch – near Amarillo, Texas

Boys Ranch provides residential childcare and therapeutic services for boys and girls. Its FAQ says services are provided at no charge, while families are asked to cover transportation and medical costs.

Confirm age directly with intake. The official FAQ describes ages 11-17 in one section but ages 5 to about 16½ at application in another. The admissions page says the process cannot begin for a child older than 16½. Ask about your child's exact age before applying.

Children are considered case by case. Only someone with legal custody can place a child. Discuss medical care, medication, safety supervision and counseling needs with admissions.

Admissions: https://www.calfarley.org/admission/

Costs: https://www.calfarley.org/frequently-asked-questions/

Parent experiences: https://parentingstronger.com/parent-reviews-residential-treatment-rad/#66-boys-ranch-in-amarillo-texas

Reviews are individual experiences, not assessments of current care quality.

Cookson Hills – Kansas, Oklahoma

Cookson Hills provides a home, Christian education and therapy for ages 5-17. It seeks families willing to remain involved, follow a plan of care and commit to long-term placement.

The current enrollment page asks families to apply for tuition support through a Cookson Hills scholarship or Oklahoma Parental Choice Tax Credit Program, provide medical insurance accepted in Oklahoma, pay medical or counseling costs not covered by insurance, and maintain funds for personal needs.

It says no child is turned away because the family cannot contribute financially. Ask for a written explanation of your family's responsibilities. That statement does not mean every expense is automatically covered.

Explain your child's medical, learning and mental health needs. The program cannot serve every need; its older FAQ describes limits for severe needs. Confirm current support limits directly.

Current enrollment and costs: https://cooksonhills.org/enroll/

Parent experiences: https://parentingstronger.com/parent-reviews-residential-treatment-rad/#49-cookson-hills-in-kansas-oklahoma

Tuition-free or aid-based options that may still cost money

Academic and arts schools usually have academic or artistic admissions requirements. They are not treatment programs, and tuition-free does not always mean free boarding.

• Alabama School of Fine Arts: no tuition or boarding cost for Alabama residents, but some class/specialty fees. Applications accepted for entry into grades 7-11. https://www.asfaschool.org/apply/admission-faqs
• Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy: annual student fees are on a graduated scale based on family income and size. Ask about residency, fees and reductions. https://www.imsa.edu/admissions/student-fees/
• Maine School of Science and Mathematics: eligible Maine residents receive free tuition, but families pay room, board and personal expenses. Need-based aid is limited and not guaranteed. https://www.mssm.org/admission/cost-of-attendance
• Mississippi School of the Arts: tuition-free for admitted Mississippi students in grades 11-12, but room-and-board charges and other expenses apply. A hardship waiver may help. https://msabrookhaven.org/admission/apply-to-msa
• University of North Carolina School of the Arts: in-state high-school tuition is covered, but some fees remain. Ask how the NC High School Artists Grant affects the full attendance cost. https://www.uncsa.edu/current-students/services/tuition-and-fees/high-school-tuition-fees.aspx
• South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts and Humanities: residential high-school tuition is free, but residence-hall and meal fees apply. Financial assistance is available to SC residents; the school says inability to pay these fees does not prevent entrance. https://www.scgsah.org/admissions/fees-payments
• Chinquapin Preparatory School, Texas: sliding-scale tuition based on household income and family size. Monday-Friday boarding is available at no additional tuition cost, but base tuition is not automatically free. https://chinquapin.org/tuition-affordability/

Ask for your family's final contribution, not only the word "scholarship".

Are there free military boarding schools?

Private military academies are different from government-supported programs. Do not assume a private academy is free, or that military-style structure is mental health treatment.

Texas ChalleNGe Academy is a tuition-free, voluntary, quasi-military residential education program for eligible Texas youth ages 15½-18 disengaged from school. Its page says uniforms, lodging, meals, education and books are provided. The 22-week residential phase is followed by a post-residential commitment.

This is not a traditional military boarding school or emergency treatment placement. Health, participation and legal-history requirements apply, and teens must be willing to attend.

Eligibility: https://tmd.texas.gov/texas-challenge-academy

Our military-school payment guide: https://parentingstronger.com/how-pay-military-school/

Questions to ask before applying

• Can you meet my child's age, grade, learning, medical and mental health needs? What would rule out admission?
• What does free cover? Ask about tuition, housing, meals, deposits, clothing, travel, medical care, counseling and personal expenses.
• Do residency, income, custody or insurance rules apply?
• Who cares for my child on weekends, holidays and breaks?
• What are the current application steps, deadlines and waitlist?
• What staff training, licensing or oversight applies? How are discipline, restraint, medication and safety handled?
• How can my child contact family or report feeling unsafe? How will staff involve us?
• Can we visit, review written policies and talk with current families?

Ask for written answers and discuss them with your child's care team.

How to pay when boarding school is not free

Ask the financial-aid office about need-based aid, fee waivers and your family's entire contribution. Compare the full cost, not tuition alone.

If your child needs treatment, ask the provider and insurer about coverage and approvals for that care. Do not assume insurance or Medicaid pays ordinary boarding-school tuition. For Medicaid-enrolled children under 21, ask about medically necessary services under EPSDT and covered providers/settings. Eligibility and authorization still need checking for the child's situation.

Official overview: https://www.medicaid.gov/medicaid/benefits/early-and-periodic-screening-diagnostic-and-treatment

Our payment guide: https://parentingstronger.com/pay-therapeutic-boarding-school/

One family's payment experience: https://parentingstronger.com/paid-therapeutic-boarding-school/

That story is not a current price quote or promise of coverage for another family.

When your child needs treatment rather than boarding school

If home no longer feels safe or your child needs more care than you can provide, you are not alone. An assessment and treatment plan may be the next step rather than a school application.

Talk with your child's doctor, mental health provider or care coordinator about appropriate support, which may include community services, hospital care or residential treatment. A general list cannot determine the right setting or length of care.

Autism itself is not something a school needs to cure. An autistic child may need educational accommodations, medical care, mental health support or help with daily living. Match support to individual needs rather than assuming placement based on diagnosis.

Residential options for autism and intellectual disabilities: https://parentingstronger.com/residential-treatment-autism/

Older teens and young adults seeking education and job skills can explore Job Corps. It offers free career training to eligible young people, generally low-income ages 16-24. It is not mental health treatment. Confirm eligibility, campus options and support needs with admissions: https://info.joinjobcorps.com/

Frequently asked questions

Are boarding schools ever completely free?

Yes. Some cover tuition, housing and meals for admitted students. Others waive only tuition or offer need-based aid. Milton Hershey states that all costs are covered for enrolled students; other programs leave family expenses. Ask what your family would pay.

Are there free boarding schools for girls as well as boys?

Yes. Options here include schools serving girls and boys, including Hershey, Girard, SEED and Boys Ranch. Admission depends on the child's needs and program rules. Ask about grade, housing and eligibility, not only cost.

Can children apply from any state?

Some programs consider applicants nationally. Others require local residency, such as SEED DC, SEED Maryland and NCSSM. Even national schools may require frequent trips home or family transportation.

Can a free school help with serious behavior or mental health needs?

Some residential programs offer support, but an academic boarding school may not provide the care your child needs. Review admission limits with the school and your child's care team. Affordable does not automatically mean appropriate.

Is tuition-free the same as free boarding?

No. Room, board, fees, travel and medical care may still be your responsibility. Ask for the full cost in writing.

Your next step

Choose one or two programs matching your child's age, location and support needs. Read their current rules and ask what your family would pay and what care is available.

For help organizing a residential-treatment search, get our free seven-step checklist: https://tremendous-musician-1842.ck.page/a3e5a4eff2

Know another free or low-cost option? Share its official website in the comments so the information can be checked. Please protect your child's privacy when commenting.

Click here for a free PDF printable checklist of the 7 steps to take when your child needs residential treatment.

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