Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is T.R.I.P.?
The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (T.R.I.P.) is a program which allows families to reduce their tuition by purchasing gift certificates – at no additional cost – for goods and services they buy every day. Families who use T.R.I.P. can potentially reduce their tuition by hundreds of dollars each year.
How does T.R.I.P. work?
A wide variety of local, regional and national businesses participate in T.R.I.P. Gift certificates can be used like cash for products and services that families purchase regularly (groceries, gas, clothing, etc.). A complete list of participating businesses and the percentages of credit that they offer is available from St. Wendelin Catholic Schools.
Gift certificates are purchased at face value from T.R.I.P. in increments ranging from $5 to $100. As families buy the certificates, a percentage of their purchase is credited to their family’s T.R.I.P. account. The percentage varies depending on the business, but ranges from 2% to 20%. Of the percentage designated by the business, 75% credit is assigned to the family, and 25% credit is assigned to St. Wendelin Catholic Schools. Once a year, the accumulated family credits are applied to the tuition account.
For example, if a family normally spends $500 a month at Great Scot (5% credit), the family can purchase $125 in Great Scot gift certificates per week from T.R.I.P., and receive a T.R.I.P. credit ($18.75). St. Wendelin Schools would receive credit of $6.25. Over a year, the family would accumulate $225 in T.R.I.P. credits, which would be deducted directly from their St. Wendelin Catholic Schools tuition.
Who can participate?
Anyone can participate in T.R.I.P. and help reduce a family’s tuition! Grandparents, aunts and uncles, parishioners, and friends can register for T.R.I.P. and designate their credits to a specific family’s tuition account. Or, the credits may be donated to the Tuition Assistance Fund or General Operating Fund of St. Wendelin Catholic Schools.
Families who are planning to eventually enroll their children in St. Wendelin Catholic Schools can “bank” their credits – the credits will be held until the family wants them applied to a tuition account within the St. Wendelin Catholic Schools system.
Credits are not transferable to other schools. Many young families may choose to use T.R.I.P. now to reduce tuition in the future.
What will the schools’ 25% be used for?
St. Wendelin Schools make every attempt to maintain affordable tuition levels. As the cost of education continues to increase rapidly, this T.R.I.P. revenue will allow the schools to make vital, ongoing improvements, specifically in the areas of technology and classroom enhancements.
How do I register?
Registering in the T.R.I.P. program is easy! There is no cost to register in the T.R.I.P. program. Simply fill out registration form, available at the St. Wendelin Elementary School office, the high school office, and the parish office. Upon receipt of your completed registration, your family will be assigned a T.R.I.P. account number (your phone number). Use this number each time you order T.R.I.P. certificates.
Registration and order forms will be available every school day, and in the parish office during regular business hours. A summer schedule will be determined before the end of each academic year.
How do I purchase T.R.I.P. certificates?
T.R.I.P. order forms are used to purchase certificates. They are available at the St. Wendelin Elementary office, the high school library, and the parish office. When you enroll in T.R.I.P., you will receive your first order form.
To purchase certificates, complete all information at the top of the order form and include your T.R.I.P. account number. Payment for T.R.I.P. certificates must accompany each order. Select the number of certificates you need from each participating business and calculate the total dollar amount. Please calculate the total carefully. In case of an error in calculation, the T.R.I.P. coordinator will adjust the order to the check or cash submitted.
Orders will be accepted until 8 a.m. each Monday, and certificates will be available for pickup Thursday after 1p.m. Mail orders delivered to the schools on Monday will NOT arrive in time to be processed for availability that week. Orders turned in after 8a.m. on Monday will be processed the following week.
What methods of payment are accepted?
Payment must accompany each T.R.I.P. order. Check, cash, credit card or debit card payments are accepted. Orders paid by credit card or debit card must total a minimum of $100, and will be charged $3 convenience fee per transaction. Any check returned for non-sufficient funds will incur a $20 fee. The T.R.I.P. coordinator will request payment of the amount of the certificates plus $20, and will hold certificates and further orders until the NSF is paid.
T.R.I.P. certificate purchases are not tax-deductible donations, because participants receive dollar-for-dollar value.
How will I know what T.R.I.P. certificates are available to purchase?
When you register in the T.R.I.P. program, you will receive a list of local vendors. National vendors, as well as all criteria for purchase and redemption of certificates, are available at www.stwendelin.org. All vendors offering T.R.I.P. certificates will be included on the national list. Local vendors listed on the weekly order forms are those within a 50-mile radius of Fostoria. Certificates from many local vendors may be used at locations across the state or across the country, but some are strictly local. Please be sure to check the comprehensive guidelines before placing your order.
The vendor list may change at any time. In addition, vendors may add special offers at any time. Weekly updates will be provided on the St. Wendelin Catholic Schools website, which can be accessed at www.stwendelin.org.
How are my T.R.I.P. credits applied to my tuition account?
A family will earn and accumulate T.R.I.P. credit from May through April for the following academic year. A receipt will be provided with each order, listing T.R.I.P. certificates and credits purchased that week only. It is critical for each family to retain these receipts, as no semi-annual updates will be furnished. Each June, a family’s tuition invoice will indicate the amount of T.R.I.P. credit accumulated during the past year. This amount will be deducted from tuition due for the following academic year.
What if my child is no longer enrolled in St. Wendelin Catholic Schools?
If, for any reason, your student(s) no longer attends St. Wendelin Catholic Schools, remaining T.R.I.P. credits may be designated to another family, to the schools’ Tuition Assistance Fund, or to the schools’ General Operating Fund, within 30 days.
What if my child is in his/her senior year?
A family whose only student enrolled in St. Wendelin Catholic Schools is a senior may apply T.R.I.P. credits to graduation-related fees. Any remaining T.R.I.P. credits may be designated to another family, to the schools’ Tuition Assistance Fund, or to the schools’ General Operating Fund, within 30 days.
What if I lose my certificates?
Unfortunately, neither St. Wendelin Catholic Schools nor the T.R.I.P. program can accept responsibility if your certificates are lost, stolen or destroyed. If you request that your T.R.I.P. certificates be mailed, St. Wendelin Catholic Schools accept no responsibility for their loss or theft. Please use your certificates in a timely manner. T.R.I.P. certificates cannot be replaced if they expire or the company goes out of business.
T.R.I.P. certificates may not be returned or exchanged after they have been purchased. If the T.R.I.P. coordinator/program makes a mistake in filling your order, the error will be corrected as quickly as possible.
5/1/05 |
