2013-14 School Year

St. Michael the ArchangelRegionalSchool

Tuition Savings Club (TSC)

Frequently Asked Questions

  1. What is Tuition Savings Club (TSC)?

The Tuition Savings Club is a flexible and systematic approach to fundraising and tuition subsidy. TSCrepresents one of three sources of funding to support the overall school operating budget. The other two sources are family tuition and parish subsidies.

The total of all three sources of income must meet 100% of the SMRS operating. There is no option to run the school at a deficit!!! Parish subsidies are a fixed and predetermined financial contribution based on the constraints of the parishes’ own operating budgets. Therefore, the only two sources of income that can fluctuate are: 1) tuition paid by the families and 2) fundraising. If the fundraising objective is not met, then the tuition will be adjusted upward to meet the financial obligations of the school.

The TSC program spreads the fundraising objective evenly throughout the school community and allows families to support this effort through routine activities, such as grocery shopping; buying birthday and holiday presents; filling your gas tank; going out to dinner or to the movies; making home improvements; or participating in school sponsored social events and raffles. Remember, this is money you would already be spending; however, by doing so through TSC, it also helps to achieve the fundraising objective!!!

The real bonus of the program is that you can earn rebates through our SCRIP program and once you have achieved the TSC Threshold, you can increase your rebate amount for tuition, direct payment or a charitable contribution. Imagine… not only are you helping in a very real way to keep overall out of pocket tuition costs down, but you can reduce your next year’s tuition costs through TSC rebates!!!

  1. How does TSCbenefit me?

The St. Michael the ArchangelRegionalSchool Tuition Savings Club:

  • Provides families the option to fund tuition through activities of daily living
  • Enables families to receive tuition credits (or rebates).
  • Assists families in controlling tuition costs by ensuring that the fundraising objective to support the overall school operating budget will be met.
  • Provides families the flexibility to plan their participation in fundraising over the school year.
  1. What is the TSC Family Threshold?

Each year the overall fundraising objective will be divided by the total number of families enrolled in school. This resulting amount will be called the TSC Family Threshold. Each family with children enrolled at St. Michael the ArchangelRegionalSchool is asked to participate in the TSC Program to help in reaching the fundraising goal in support of the total operating budget. This year the TSC Family Threshold is $500.

  1. How do I earn credits toward the TSC Family Threshold?

There are 8 ways in which to earn credit:

Fundraisers – There are8 fundraisersspread throughout the year; (4) are social events, (2) Brochure Sales (Yankee Candle) and two (2) raffles (i.e. Calendar Raffle and 50/50) and SCRIP.

  1. How are rebates earned?

If you participate in our SCRIP program, you are eligible to receive 50% of your SCRIP rebate. If you earn your TSC Family Threshold in a given TSC Year, you will be able to receive a higher percentage of your SCRIP rebate as a tuition credit, direct payment or charitable contribution to SMRS.

Example: During the TSC year, a family has earned $500 in SCRIP rebates through their purchases of gift cards. The family is entitled to $250 as a tuition credit, direct payment or can make a charitable donation to SMRS. When the family participates in social fundraisers, raffles or catalog purchases and has earned an additional $250 in credit, the family is able to receive an additional 10% of the SCRIP rebate. Since the family has raised $750 in total SCRIP and fundraiser credit, the family is entitled to an additional $50 of their SCRIP rebate.

At the end of the TSC year, the amount of tuition rebate will be determined for each family and issued as directed on the enrollment form.

If an 8th grade student is attending a CatholicHigh School and there are no other siblings still attending SMRS, the family may continue in the TSC Program as long as their SMRS graduate is attending a Catholic high school. These families will have the same requirements as current SMRS families. An enrollment form is required from participating high school families.

  1. Can I participate in TSC if my child is not attending St. Michael’s?

Only families who have enrolled students from Pre-k through 8th grade, teachers and SMRS graduates who are attending a catholic high school may participate in the SMRS TSC Program.

  1. What is the TSC Year?

For the 2013-14 school year, the St. Michael TSC program will run from May 1, 2013 through April 30, 2014. Enrollment in TSC will become effective upon receipt of your Enrollment Form by the TSC Committee. You may begin to earn credits on May 1st, or when your enrollment form is submitted, whichever last occurs.Please note: Only eligible families who complete an enrollment form may participate in TSC.

  1. Where do I find a TSC Enrollment Form?

Enrollment forms may be found on the SMRS Website. Look for TSC on the menu bar and use the drop down list to select forms; then select, print and complete the enrollment form and send it in to the school office to the attention of TSC Chair. The TSC Enrollment Form provides the family’s TSC Code.

  1. What is the TSC Code?

It is the 7 digit alphanumeric code that theTSC Tally Team uses to track your TSCactivities so that you will receive the proper credits. This alphanumeric code is comprised of the first 3 letters of your surname and the last 4 numbers of your phone number. For example:

John and Mary Smith 987-6543 = TSC Code: SMI6543

(If your child’s surname is different from your own, then you would use the first 3 letters of your child’s name.)

  1. What if I volunteer for a “critical” activity that requires a significant time commitment? Can I receive credit toward TSC?

Unfortunately, no credit may be given in exchange for volunteering in school activities. We understand that there are many parents who spend a great deal of time in supporting the school in numerous and various ways; however, there is no way to efficiently and quantifiably allocate credits for volunteer activities. (It has been attempted at other schools with less than desirable results.) Instead, we trust that parents will continue to volunteer for school activities because we are a Christian community and because we should set a good example for our children.

  1. How can I receive more detail on the St. MichaelTSCprogram?

All TSC information will be available in the TSC Section of the SRMS Website. Training sessions will also be provided for newly registered families as required.

  1. Can I participate on the TSC Committee?

There is always a need for help and we would welcome your participation. Please contact Jennifer or Marc Mignano at 856-694-4184 or or more information.

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