PLEDGE AGREEMENT
The cost of providing Christ-centred education at Ottawa Christian School is funded by both parents of children enrolled in the school as well as the non-parent supporting community. Enrolment at OCS is not based on a fee-for-services-rendered basis because the value of Christian education is immeasurable in financial terms, and the viability of the school depends on much more than the financial contributions of parents - for example, the efforts of unpaid volunteers and significant assets such as the land and building provided by previous supporters. Nevertheless, to ensure adequate financial resources for the school's operation and equitable sharing of that obligation, the school uses an Incremental Family Rate methodology to determine tuition rates.
Families with unusual circumstances that would affect their ability to pay the tuition rate may apply for a tuition bursary. Ottawa Christian School uses the Financial Aid for School Tuition (FAST) secure online tool Independent School Management runs to process bursary applications. Based on the recommendations from FAST and funds available in the OCS Bursary Fund, the Tuition Bursary Committee will determine the bursary that will be awarded to the families who have applied. For information regarding applying for a tuition bursary please email [email protected].
The Ottawa Christian School Association is recognized by the Canada Revenue Agency as a registered charity. As such, we may issue charitable donation receipts for financial gifts to the Association. CRA deems that families whose children attend OCS derive some benefit from that, and therefore, to determine the portion of a family's pledge which can be considered a gift, the school is required to deduct a “cost-per-pupil” multiplied by the number of students that family has enrolled in the school. Charitable donation receipts can be used to reduce the family's income tax, which in effect means that, for most families, the after-tax cost is significantly less than the pledge amount calculated. Note that once receipted, pledges cannot be refunded. This includes advance tuition paid by a family that withdraws from the school.
The revenue derived from tuition does not cover the total cost of providing a Christian, high-quality alternative education. Membership fees and donations, church offerings, gift card sales, the annual Cleanathon, and other events all help reduce the cost borne by parents. All families are encouraged to participate in fund-raising projects and the volunteer effort that is required to operate the school. Everyone is encouraged to promote the school at every opportunity, and to continue to support the school after their children have graduated, so that others may benefit in the same way.
Payment Policy
The total pledge amount is payable in 10 monthly installments. The first cheque is to be dated immediately (for new families), the other nine are payable on the 1st of each month (July - March) and must be submitted with the pledge form (or complete the pre-authorized debit form (PAD)). An annual lump sum payment for the full year's tuition can be provided on June 1. Other payment schedules are acceptable only if the amount paid at any given time exceeds that of the schedule defined above. Late, incomplete, or incorrect pledge forms, forms submitted without cheques or a pre-authorized debit form, cheques held at the payer's request or not honoured by the bank, or any other failure to abide by the payment schedule will be assessed an administration fee of $30 per month until the situation is resolved. The Finance Committee will consider individual financial circumstances and may waive such fees at its discretion.
Withdrawal Policy
Once a family has registered, they are obligated to provide notice, in writing, of their intention to withdraw at least 1-month in advance of the next payment date or pay the 1-month tuition in lieu of the 1-month written notice. (The 1-month notice is also required for cancellation of bus services.) New families will be charged a non-refundable initial deposit (1/10 of the total tuition fee) in the event of withdrawal 1 month prior to the 1st scheduled tuition payment. The same policy applies to families enrolling mid-year.
