Tuition Assistance Programs

Tuition Assistance Program through the Archdiocese of Washington

Charles County Catholic Business’ Association

St. Mary’s Bryantown Parish

Shopping Cards — Individual Tuition Assistance

April 1, 2011-March 31, 2012

Participating families earned almost $18,000 in tuition assistance during the 2010-2011 School Year!  Don’t miss out on your piece of the pie!  This program is meant to assist our families as well as raise funds for the school to offset operating costs.  It is a WIN-WIN opportunity for you and the school!

How do I earn a tuition credit?

~The family receives 70% of the “discount” each store offers.

~The school receives 30%.

~Example: A merchant offers a 10% discount

                        -You purchase $100 in gift cards

                        -You earn $7 / School earns $3

~All of your purchases and earnings are tracked in a database, by family, throughout the year. 

~Encourage family, co-workers, and neighbors to purchase.

~You will receive quarterly statements with your child’s report card.  Final reports will be sent in May.

What stores are available?

Over 600 merchants in our area and nationwide offer discounts when we purchase gift cards.  GL Scrip is a central company that offers these gift cards to us for purchase.  You are encouraged to visit www.glscrip.com regularly for an updated retailer list.  This list changes frequently as retailers are added or deleted and discounts change.  Each store varies in denominations offered and percentage discount.

Many retailers in Waldorf and LaPlata are in the GL Scrip listing, including restaurants, discount/specialty stores, drug stores, and department stores.

* DID YOU KNOW?  You can pay your Kohl’s credit card bills with gift cards (at the store only). 

In addition to the GL Scrip list we also offer the following local stores:

Food Lion (5%)                      BJ’s (2%)                                McKays (5%)

Rita’s (10%)                            Ledo’s (10% -- Charlotte Hall Location ONLY)

Spirit of America Car Wash (15% -- near Nick’s of Clinton)

How do I purchase gift cards?

#1 Weekly Ordering: First order will be Thursday, September 1, 2011

            ~Weekly order forms will be sent home in the white envelope on Wednesdays.                   

            ~Return your completed order form & check (payable to St. Mary’s School) in the white

              envelope on Thursday morning.

            ~Orders must be received in the school office by 9:30 a.m.on Thursdays.

            ~Orders cannot be processed without payment.

            ~You will receive your order the following Wednesday in the white envelope or click here for the form.

#2 WALK-UP SALES: First Sale will be Tuesday, August 30, 2011

            ~ Every 2^nd and 4^th Tuesday of the month, from 9:15 a.m to 10 a.m.in the School Hall

~ If school is closed or if there is a delayed opening for any reason, there will be                                        NO walk-up sales that week

~ Grocery store, gas & local restaurant cards are available, including BJ’s, Food Lion, Giant,           McKay’s, Safeway, Shoppers, Shell, and WaWa.

~Other stores will be offered depending on inventory available.

YOU MAY NOT SEND IN ORDER/PAYMENT FOR WALK-UP SALES WITH YOUR CHILD.  ANY ORDERS RECEIVED ON TUESDAY VIA A CHILD WILL BE HELD FOR PROCESSING ON THURSDAY AND YOU WILL RECEIVE YOUR CARDS THE FOLLOWING WEDNESDAY.

#3 Purchasing after Mass:

You may purchase grocery store gift cards and a selection of other popular stores after weekend Masses.  HOWEVER, you will not earn any credit toward your family account.  The school will earn the entire 100%.  If you are in need of cards, we encourage you to purchase after Mass to help the school.

RETURNED CHECK POLICY: A $25 SERVICE CHARGE WILL BE INCURRED ON ALL RETURNED CHECKS.  IF full payment is not received within 5 business days once you have been notified by the school the delinquent funds will be recorded on your school account and an additional $25 service charge will be charged.  This will be treated as all other financial obligations to the school and report cards will be held until payment and service charges are received. 

How will I receive my earnings?

~ Families who earn at least $25 will receive a final earnings statement for the year in May 2012 along with a form that must be completed and returned. 

~ Families who earn at least $25 will be given 3 options:

~#1 Your tuition account will be credited, reducing your tuition balance for the next school

        year.

            ~#2 You may donate your earnings to another returning school family’s tuition account.

            ~#3 You may donate your earnings to the school.  A tax receipt will be provided.

NOTE: If you do not return your form indicating your option choice, your earnings will automatically be credited to the school.

Additionally, all financial obligations due to the school (i.e. tuition payments, before and after care, hot lunch, etc …) must be current in order to receive credit towards next year’s tuition.  If financial obligations are not current, the earnings will be used towards the outstanding balance due

IMPORTANT: If, for any reason, you do not complete the entire school year, all earnings will be donated to the school.  In addition, you must also complete the following school year in order to receive your earnings.  If you leave the school for any reason during the school year, you will forfeit your earnings.

Graduating 8^th grade families and non-returning families please note: we greatly appreciate your continued support of the Tuition Assistance Program.  If your earnings are at least $25 you may designate a participating, returning school family to receive the credit you earn or the earnings may be donated to the school.  A tax receipt will be provided if you donate to the school.

Are there any other ways to earn a tuition credit?

Some local merchants have generously offered the following donations:

MARY KAY

Kimberly Tutz (school parent), Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, 301-659-0172

10% of your purchase will be applied to your tuition assistance account.

COOKIE LEE JEWELRY

Michelle Truss (school parent)

301-536-8478 ~ mtruss@comcast.net

10% of your purchase will be applied to your tuition assistance account.

Cookie Lee Jewelry is the most beautiful designer inspired jewelry at the most affordable prices.  Cookie Lee is one-stop shopping.  We have jewelry to fit every look in your life and necklaces that make any outfit.  Cookie Lee is guilt free shopping in the comfort of your own home.

LONGABERGER

Kimberly Bowling, Independent Branch Advisor (school parent), 301-870-1868

Baskets, Pottery, Wrought Iron, Fabrics, Candles, and Home Décor.

10% donation to your tuition assistance account on guest purchases.

www.longaberger.com/kimberlybowling

TASTEFULLY SIMPLE

John Smallwood

Lindsay Automotive Group

Northern Virginia

www.elindsay.com

301-399-9105

John will donate $250 when you, your family or a referral purchase a new or used vehicle including Cadillac, Chevrolet, Ford, Lexus or Volkswagen.

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Just as with your gift card purchases, your earnings from local merchants will be the same 70/30 split.

What if I have questions or errors?

All questions, comments, or errors are to be directed to Kimberly Bowling: 301-870-1868 or Lenore Colaciello: 301-638-4224 or tcprogram@bryantown.org

Can I volunteer for the Tuition Assistance Program?

Yes!  Opportunities are available to help with walk-up sales, filling of orders, processing of orders, and selling after weekend Masses.  If you are interested in helping and earning volunteer hours please contact Kimberly Bowling or Lenore Colaciello.

Thank you for your participation and support!