How should schools and parents deal with tuition?

[avromie7]

Here is 400% FPL, I have a hard time believing many families just over these limits are paying full tuition for all their children. Anyone with more than 3 children making this income is going to have a very difficult time paying $15k per child.

Family size           2022          2023 income numbers
For individuals      $54,360      $58,320
For a family of 2   $73,240      $78,880
For a family of 3   $92,120      $99,440
For a family of 4   $111,000    $120,000
For a family of 5   $129,880    $140,560
For a family of 6   $148,760    $161,120
For a family of 7   $167,640    $181,680
For a family of 8   $186,520    $202,240

[yos9694]

Yes

Talk is cheap

[Lurker]

Super important note about Step Up: once a family qualifies, they are in the program for good. So if I have one kid and I'm making under the limit, my future kids are all eligible, regardless of my income.

[cgr]

I wrote a short post on the Florida universal school choice bill that passed in March, which provides ~8k per private school student (link in signature below).
After reading through some relevant parts of the bill and speaking to Floridians, as well as to some Ohio (which has some vouchers) and Arizona (which has universal school choice) residents, I must say that it looks much better on paper than in reality, and will benefit schools more than students. We can expect to see an increase in private school tuition next year, and while it probably won't go up to by $8k/student, it will largely cut into this benefit (not to mention that lower income households in FL have already had access to vouchers for the past few years, so this doesn't make much a difference to them, and they'll be hit with the tuition increase as well).

And so the cookie crumbles... hearing that some FL schools raised tuition for all students by 20% (from 15k to 18k), including for those that previously received the 8k vouchers.

[Lurker]

And so the cookie crumbles... hearing that some FL schools raised tuition for all students by 20% (from 15k to 18k), including for those that previously received the 8k vouchers.

Absolutely shocking. And now you also have teachers quitting en masse because some of those same schools are offering 2% raises, while other schools are throwing their newfound cash at teachers with unprecedented starting salaries*.

Funny how when one political party threw "free" money around and damaged the integrity of the markets, people were quick to point out how shortsighted it was. When we think we may benefit, though... it's a boon!

*teachers' salaries being raised is the one good thing to come out of this. I just wish it wouldn't happen in a way that causes so much volatility and instability within the system.

[avromie7]

Absolutely shocking. And now you also have teachers quitting en masse because some of those same schools are offering 2% raises, while other schools are throwing their newfound cash at teachers with unprecedented starting salaries*.

Funny how when one political party threw "free" money around and damaged the integrity of the markets, people were quick to point out how shortsighted it was. When we think we may benefit, though... it's a boon!

*teachers' salaries being raised is the one good thing to come out of this. I just wish it wouldn't happen in a way that causes so much volatility and instability within the system.

This is not the right thread for this, but the fact that this money just makes us even with those who send their kids to PS makes it a terrible analogy.

[Lurker]

This is not the right thread for this, but the fact that this money just makes us even with those who send their kids to PS makes it a terrible analogy.

What does one thing have to do with another? We're so stuck on inequities that we don't even pay attention to whether getting even helps us at all. Sounds like another group or two in this country...

Let's say the average school has 500 kids. About 80% were already enrolled in Step Up or Gardiner. The bill passes, and now tuition goes up 3k. The 80% can't afford that additional $3k any more than they could afford the 7k they were on the hook for before, which is why most were on some kind of scholarship. Now the school has requests for another $1.2mm in scholarship funds, cries to their donors and the general community to help cover this newfound shortfall. But we're even now! Victory!

[avromie7]

What does one thing have to do with another? We're so stuck on inequities that we don't even pay attention to whether getting even helps us at all. Sounds like another group or two in this country...

Let's say the average school has 500 kids. About 80% were already enrolled in Step Up or Gardiner. The bill passes, and now tuition goes up 3k. The 80% can't afford that additional $3k any more than they could afford the 7k they were on the hook for before, which is why most were on some kind of scholarship. Now the school has requests for another $1.2mm in scholarship funds, cries to their donors and the general community to help cover this newfound shortfall. But we're even now! Victory!

Is the 20% suddenly eligible for the vouchers the reason they increased tuition?

Are they giving an extra $3k off to anyone who asks, or someone who didn't need vouchers before will have to beg for it and show tax returns?

[Lurker]

Is the 20% suddenly eligible for the vouchers the reason they increased tuition?

I'm not in a position to answer that definitively.

Are they giving an extra $3k off to anyone who asks, or someone who didn't need vouchers before will have to beg for it and show tax returns?

I have yet to hear of anyone who was given an extra scholarship for the difference by just asking.

[Essen est zich]

Is anyone familiar how to switch (schools) providers for existing ACS Voucher in NYC?

[gozalim]

Is anyone familiar how to switch (schools) providers for existing ACS Voucher in NYC?

I think the ACS site has pages for each of those tasks.
Try emailing ACS and you'll get an auto reply with all the links.

Or, most of the schools have some idea how this operates, try talking to someone at the school you're switching to

[Essen est zich]

I think the ACS site has pages for each of those tasks.
Try emailing ACS and you'll get an auto reply with all the links.

I filled out their form and emailed them, i got a case # but no response - its been 3 business days alredy.

Or, most of the schools have some idea how this operates, try talking to someone at the school you're switching to

School didnt really give me more info.

I guess ill call ACS on monday.

[Sammy82]

I filled out their form and emailed them, i got a case # but no response - its been 3 business days alredy.

School didnt really give me more info.

I guess ill call ACS on monday.

No clue who ACS is but if it's a government agency, they will most likely be closed on Monday.

[Essen est zich]

Is anyone familiar how to switch (schools) providers for existing ACS Voucher in NYC?

I never updated my post.

BH I got the voucher for my kids (located in CH).

The renewal notice was sent out last week for those who have the voucher.

[yungermanchik]

Unfortunately, the NYC Voucher program is in limbo. It seems that they ran out of funding and are not approving any new families. Instead they are being put on a waitlist, in case new funding is approved. (There are also rumors that even families that were approved will not get for new members.) This makes it difficult to decide what to do. The cash price for the voucher places is a few times that of the non-voucher places. But if the vouchers are approved, it would be free.

[yungermanchik]

Unfortunately, the NYC Voucher program is in limbo. It seems that they ran out of funding and are not approving any new families. Instead they are being put on a waitlist, in case new funding is approved. (There are also rumors that even families that were approved will not get for new members.) This makes it difficult to decide what to do. The cash price for the voucher places is a few times that of the non-voucher places. But if the vouchers are approved, it would be free.

Does anyone have a clue as to the likelihood of more funding being approved?

[Ver hut gazugt]

Does anyone have a clue as to the likelihood of more funding being approved?

seems like it already has been approved.

https://gothamist.com/news/nyc-will-boost-money-for-child-care-vouchers-to-avert-disaster-for-thousands-of-families

[ExGingi]

Stupid concept, they charge the store to be a member, customers pay for the markup so the store can afford to pay the fee which part of it will go back as tuition credit and the rest will go to administrative fees

Don't forget that they are actually refunding some of the interchange fees (similar to where other cards get paid for the points the give).

[Just A Jew]

Don't forget that they are actually refunding some of the interchange fees (similar to where other cards get paid for the points the give).

Who's refunding interchange fees?

[ExGingi]

Who's refunding interchange fees?

The bank/card. They are refunding 25 basis points for non participating merchants. They could be refunding more for participating merchants. Refunding it towards tuition.