Tuition Reduction Programs
Tuition Reduction Incentive Program
Do you want to save money on your tuition for the 2010-2011 school year? If the answer is yes, then we would like to tell you about a program here at Gahanna Christian Academy. It is called T.R.I.P. or Tuition Reduction Incentive Program.
The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (T.R.I.P.) being offered by GCA uses the services of certificate broker organizations. These organizations purchase gift cards and certificates in large quantities at a discount from major chains. As a school organization, we are able to buy these certificates and gift cards at a discount but in smaller quantities to sell at face value, thereby raising funds for families and the school. Rebates range from 2% to 25% of the face value of the certificate. Seventy-three percent of that rebate goes toward your tuition for next year, 25% goes to the athletic boosters, and 2% goes toward expenses.
For example: We buy $100 of gift certificates from Giant Eagle for $95. We sell the $100 gift certificate to a family for $100. Three dollars and sixty-five cents go towards this family's tuition for next year, $1.25 goes to the boosters and ten cents goes toward expenses. By simply purchasing $100 worth of grocery certificates each week, you can save $182 off your tuition. By purchasing gas, restaurants, and department store certificates, you can increase your savings. You spend the money anyway, so you might as well get something back.
The certificates and gift cards can be used, for the most part, just like cash at the participating stores. Certificates have an expiration date from 6 months to 2 years. Some certificates limit the amount of change that can be received back. A few do not give change back, but it is stated clearly on the certificate. Anderson's and Kohl's will allow you to use gift cards to pay off your charge account at the service counter, all others do not.
Here's how T.R.I.P. works at our school:
1. A registration form must be completed by each family and enclosed with your first order. The disclaimer information section is needed if your child will be bringing the certificates home. If you have already completed a registration form, there is no need to fill out another unless your address or phone has changed.
2. The T.R.I.P. Program runs from July 1, 2009 to June 1, 2010. The credits earned will be applied to your 2010-2011 school year tuition account.
3. Blank forms will be sent home with each order received. Order forms are also available in the finance office.
4. These certificates are available in the finance office each day from 8:30-4.
5. A "Cash & Carry" order form should be filled out for certificates which we normally keep in stock or you can complete an Advance Order form, some of these items must be ordered in.
6. Forms can be sent in with your child with the quantities & amounts filled out on the order form. Include a check, made out to "GCA T.R.I.P." and place in an envelope with "TRIP" on the outside. Your student can turn this in to their teacher and your order will be completed for you.
7. Family and friends may purchase these certificates and designate proceeds to your family.
8. Tuition reimbursements can be directed to students in Preschool through 12th grade, or to the General Fund (#67), the Music Dept. (#111), PTO (#222), or the Art Dept. (#444).
The forms you will need are available by clicking on the following links:
Cash & Carry Form (for certificates normally “in stock”)
Your T.R.I.P Coordinator is Lois Jugan and she can be reached at 614-471-3291, 614-783-5850 or . Please call with any questions.
Kroger Community Rewards Program
KROGER CARES PROGRAM CHANGES
April 3, 2009
Dear Parents:
If you currently participate in the T.R.I.P. program, at GCA, by using the rechargeable Kroger Gift Cards, KROGER IS CHANGING THEIR PROGRAM. The new "Kroger Community Rewards Program" will replace the Kroger Cares Program. You will no longer need to reload a gift card to get your Kroger "tuition credits" from the T.R.I.P. Program. It is so easy you won't even realize you are saving yourself money until you see the amount you have accumulated over the year to be deducted from your next year's tuition. And in this current economy, truly, "every penny counts"!
How will it work? You just need to register your Kroger Plus Card online at http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com Click on the Ohio icon - scroll down & click on enroll - - then "Sign up today!" Follow the member enrollment steps: Enter your zip code; click on your favorite store; enter email address & password; confirm; review information & click confirm; check email; click on the "following link"; click here; click on My Account; enter your email address & password; sign in; click on Edit Kroger Community Rewards information; input your Kroger Plus card number; save changes; enter personal information; save changes; enter Gahanna Christian Academy; click search; our school name will then show up in the next step - you click on the "circle" and save changes. YOU ARE DONE!
You can start registering your Kroger Plus Card anytime. But don't just register your own card. Ask your family and friends if you can register their cards as well. Just remember, for every card registered on your behalf, you must notify the finance office of the person's name on the card and the plus card number so they can be sure to give you the credit. It's that simple; so why not register? In fact, the more cards we register under GCA, the more we will all save. The Kroger Cares Program gave us a flat rate of $5.00 per $100.00 spent. The new program works based on the percentage of spending of each organization. Kroger has a set amount that they will distribute each quarter; that amount does not change. How much they give to each organization depends on that organization's spending as it relates to the total spending of all participating organizations. So exactly how much will you save? I cannot give you a specific dollar amount; we will have to try it and see.
The new program will become effective May 1, 2009. If you reload your Kroger gift card anytime through April 30, 2009, you will still get credit on the old program. Any remaining balance on your gift card can still be used for Kroger purchases after May 1st. Again, you can start registering your Kroger Plus cards now!
There are some purchases that are excluded, such as fuel purchases. To get a complete list of exclusions or if you have any questions about this new program, check out the website http://www.krogercommunityrewards.com, click on Ohio, then click on learn more. Or please feel free to contact me with any questions and I will be happy to answer them or find out an answer for you. The best way to contact me is through my email: Please put in the subject line "Question about Kroger program" so I will not miss it. Thanks.
Sincerely,
Julie Andy
Gahanna Christian Academy Parent
