Savannah Children s Choir 2015/2016 Fees Fundraising Financial Aid Forms
2015/2016 Payment Schedule at a Glance August 15 August 31 / September 1 October 5/6 November 2/3 November 30/ December 1 February 1 March 31 April 11 June 15 Parent s Meeting: Acceptance Form due Costume Form, rental payments & deposits due Financial Aid applications due Premier ONLY: Trip Deposit Due Optional: Tuition if you choose to pay in full Tuition in full, or first payment for Multiple Payment option and Financial Aid recipients Tuition Payment (for Multiple Payment option and Financial Aid recipients) Tuition Payment (for Multiple Payment option and Financial Aid recipients) Tuition Payment (for Multiple Payment option and Financial Aid recipients) Early Bird and Current Member discount & reservation period for Summer Camp registration. Prep Choir: Travel fees and materials due Final deadline for Summer Camp registration How to pay: The SCC accepts cash, checks* and money orders made payable to SCC. *If a check is returned for insufficient funding, all subsequent payments plus a $25 return fee must be made by cash, money order or SquareCash. We prefer payments using SquareCash which is tied to your debit card. You simply email TO: info@savannahchoir.org, CC: cash@square.com, and in the SUBJECT line enter the amount you want to pay, i.e. $100. In the BODY put your child s name and what it s for, i.e. Mary Smith tuition. If you ve not yet used SquareCash, they ll send you a one-time email for you to enter your debit card information on their secure site. This service is free. We also accept credit cards, but charge an additional 3% per transaction. Where to pay: You can give your payments to Mrs. Sullivan at Monday (A, P & P) or Tuesday (Discovery) rehearsals, mail them to the SCC, PO Box 23355, Savannah, GA 31403 or deliver them to the SCC offices by dropping them at the front desk at Senior Citizens, Inc. 3025 Bull Street. 2
Contents 2015/2016 Payment Schedule at a Glance... 2 Welcome!... 4 2015/2016 Financial Obligations at a Glance... 4 Tuition in Detail... 5 Financial Aid for Tuition: Apprentice, Prep & Premier... 6 Financial Aid for Tuition: Discovery Choir... 7 Costume Fee in Detail: Apprentice, Prep & Premier... 8 Travel in Detail: Prep & Premier... 9 Travel Fundraisers: Prep & Premier... 10 Travel Scholarships: Prep & Premier... 12 Letty s Purse... 13 Summer Camp in Detail... 14 Financial Aid Form... 15 Acceptance Form... 17 Costume Rental Form: Apprentice, Prep & Premier... 19 3
Welcome! The Savannah Children s Choir is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization and charges tuition and fees in order to continue providing great music education and opportunities for Savannah s children. However, tuition represents only a portion of our budget. Our Board of Trustees actively fundraises to provide needed financial resources. Our commitment is that every child, once accepted into the SCC, will participate fully in all choir programs. Generous individuals, foundations and corporations help make sure funds for financial aid and scholarships are available to honor that commitment. However, each family is also expected to participate and contribute financially to the best of their ability. 2015/2016 Financial Obligations at a Glance Tuition Discovery Choir Apprentice Choir: Prep Choir: Premier Choir: $225 per year (Plus $25 due upon registration) $325 per year $375 per year $425 per year Costume for Apprentice, Prep & Premier Choirs $25-$50 per year (plus items purchased individually) No costume requirement for Discovery Choir Travel for Prep and Premier Choirs* $350 (estimate) for Prep trip to Asheville, NC $3,200 (estimate) for Premier trip to Ireland *Discovery and Apprentice Choirs do not travel Summer Camp $300-$330 4
Tuition in Detail Discovery Choir: $225 (Plus $25 due upon registration) Apprentice Choir: $325 Prep Choir: $375 Premier Choir: $425 Full Pay option: Tuition is due in full on Monday, August 31, 2015 (A, P & P) or Tuesday, September 1, 2015 (Discovery) Multiple Pay option: Break your tuition into several convenient payments. $100 due Monday, August 31, 2015 (Apprentice, Prep, Premier) o $56.25 due Tuesday, September 1 (Discovery) $100 due Monday, October 5, 2015 (A, P & P) o $56.25 due Tuesday, October 6, 2015 (D) $100 due Monday, November 2, 2015 (A, P & P) o $56.25 due Tuesday, November 3, 2015 (D) Final Payment due Monday, November 30, 2015 (A, P & P) o $25 for Apprentice, $75 for Prep, $125 for Premier Final Discovery Choir payment due Tuesday, December 1, 2015 o $56.25 due Other Tuition information A $25 late fee is charged on any tuition not received by the end of the month in which it was due. A $25 fee will be charged on any returned checks. Once a check has been returned for insufficient funds, subsequent payments may only be made by cash, money order or Square Cash. There is a sibling discount of 15% on the lesser tuition. Financial Aid If you qualify for financial aid, your tuition amounts and payment options will be different from the ones outlined above. Please see Financial Aid, page 6 or 7, for details. 5
Financial Aid for Tuition: Apprentice, Prep & Premier The Savannah Children s Choir s commitment is that finances should not be a barrier for participation for any child invited to be in the choir. We offer financial aid for tuition and Summer Camp, and scholarships for travel, but also expect each family to make a financial commitment to their child s participation in the SCC. Financial Aid requests must be submitted Saturday, August 15, 2015 at the Parent s Meeting. However, if your family situation drastically changes during the year, please contact the SCC for scholarship application materials. The Financial Aid form can be found on the last pages of this book. Financial Aid for Tuition for Apprentice, Prep or Premier Level 1 If you currently receive Food Stamps or TANF, live in public housing, or use Section 8 housing assistance: Your Annual Tuition Apprentice Choir: $110 Prep Choir: $125 Premier Choir: $140 Tuition may be paid in full in August, or you may choose to pay in four equal monthly payments from August to December, due nearest the first Monday of every month. Level 2 If you do NOT receive Food Stamps or TANF, live in public housing or use Section 8 housing assistance, but your family s adjusted gross income (as determined by your most recent 1040) falls into the following range: For a family of: Income equal to or less than: 2 $ 33,453 3 $ 42,189 4 $ 50,925 5 $ 59,661 6 $ 68,397 Your Annual Tuition Apprentice Choir: $215 Prep Choir: $250 Premier Choir: $285 Tuition may be paid in full in August, or you may choose to pay in four equal monthly payments from August to December, due nearest the first Monday of every month. 6
Financial Aid for Tuition: Discovery Choir Financial Aid for Tuition If you currently receive Food Stamps or TANF, live in public housing, or use Section 8 housing assistance, or your family s adjusted gross income (as determined by your most recent 1040) falls into the following range: For a family of: Income equal to or less than: 2 $ 33,453 3 $ 42,189 4 $ 50,925 5 $ 59,661 6 $ 68,397 Your Annual Tuition Discovery Choir: Total Tuition $165 Initial Deposit $25 (Due upon registration) Remaining Tuition Balance $140 Tuition may be paid in full in August at the Parent s Meeting, or you may choose to pay in four equal monthly payments of $35 from September to December, due nearest the first Tuesday of every month. 7
Costume Fee in Detail: Apprentice, Prep & Premier A signed Costume form with payment and, if applicable, a deposit check is due on Saturday, August 15 at the Mandatory Parent s Meeting, so that we may order items in time for fall concerts. The rental fee covers regular use of girls costumes (all blouses and Apprentice skirts). For these rented items, we collect a deposit to ensure that costumes are returned in good condition. We require that Prep & Premier girls purchase their own skirts, and that all boys in all choirs purchase their own shirts. The deposit is a separate, post-dated check, dated June 1, 2016. We will not deposit the check, but keep it in a locked file until costume turn-in day. If the costume is returned on time and in good condition, the check is destroyed. Girls Apprentice Prep Premier Rental $40 TOTAL ($25 Blouse/$15 Skirt) $25 Blouse $25 Blouse Purchase N/A $25 Skirt* $25 Skirt* Deposit $25/item rented $50 $25 $25 *Prep & Premier girls only need to purchase skirts if they don t already own a SCC- or Garrison-issued skirt. Boys Purchase ALL Choirs $25 Shirt** **Boys only need to purchase a shirt if they are new to the choir, or if they are a former member and have outgrown or damaged their existing shirt. Purchase on your own Girls Boys Plain black close-toed flats (Apprentice) or plain black flats or lowheeled pumps (Prep & Premier), skin-colored hosiery (no socks). Black pants, black belt, black shoes, socks. Financial Aid is not offered for uniform fees. 8
Travel in Detail: Prep & Premier The Savannah Children s Choir is a traveling choir. Both the Prep and Premier choirs travel each year. The Apprentice and Discovery choirs do not travel. Travel is not optional; it is an integral part of how the Savannah Children s Choir accomplishes its mission. By accepting your child s seat in the Prep or Premier choirs, you are acknowledging that your child will participate in their annual travel opportunity and that you have an obligation to either pay for the cost of travel in full, and/or participate in events that help either reduce the general trip cost or reduce your child s travel fees directly. Costs for both trips may be offset significantly by active participation in a variety of fundraisers. Please see Fundraisers, page 10, for details. Prep Choir Travel The Prep Choir will travel to Asheville, North Carolina Friday through Sunday, May 13-15, 2016. The estimated cost of the trip will be about $350. Travel itinerary and fees will be presented in March 2016. Payment will be due on Monday, April 11, 2016. Choir members are encouraged to participate fully in travel fundraisers to help offset the cost of their trip. Premier Choir Travel The Premier Choir will travel to Ireland June 7-14, 2016. The estimated cost of the trip will be about $3,200. A non-refundable deposit of $100 is due at the Mandatory Parent s Meeting on August 15. A payment schedule will be distributed at that meeting, and regular payments must be made according to the schedule presented. Choir members are encouraged to participate fully in travel fundraisers to help offset the cost of their trip. 9
Travel Fundraisers: Prep & Premier General Travel-Offset Fundraisers These are SCC-organized events which raise funds to lower the overall cost of travel for all members. One example is the Spaghetti Supper. All money raised is divided equally among all traveling choir members, and deducted from the total amount owed for travel. Specific Travel-Offset Fundraisers The purpose of these fundraisers is to help individual members reduce their travel costs. Examples include Program Book Ad Sales, Belk Charity Day Sale and Sunday Supper & Serenade. Money raised goes to directly offset the individual member s travel costs. Because of how we are required to account for trip funds, we are unable to transfer or refund any travel funds raised in excess of the cost of a trip. Any funds raised in excess of the cost of the trip will benefit our Travel Scholarship Fund. Specific Travel-Offset Fundraisers include the following: Program Book Ad Sales Sell advertising in the annual Program Book. Ads range from $25 personal greetings to quarter- to full-page business ads ranging in price from $150-$450. 70% of each sale goes directly into the member s individual trip account. Apprentice Choir members who don t travel are still welcome to sell ads, and their sales benefit the Travel Scholarship Fund. Belk Charity Days: Each Prep & Premier member is given 10 tickets each for both the Fall and Spring Charity Sale. Tickets are $5 each, and give the ticket-holder a $5 discount off their first purchase and additional discounts during Belk s two annual Charity Day sale events. The sale is the same day at every Belk throughout the Southeast, and the tickets may be used at any Belk store. Once the original 10 are sold and the money turned in, members may ask for more to sell. The total ticket fee goes directly into the member s individual travel account. 10
Sunday Supper and Serenade: Each year, various assisted-living facilities have generously hosted Sunday Supper and Serenade as a fundraiser for the SCC. Members sell $25 tickets, which gives the ticket-holder a delicious dinner (provided by the facility) plus a concert (provided by the choir). The total ticket fee goes directly into each member s individual travel account. Early sales are encouraged, as there s a limit to how many guests the facilities can seat. Special Note regarding Travel Scholarships Travel fundraisers are available and open to all traveling members of the Prep and Premier Choirs, whether they choose to participate or not. For members who plan to apply for needs-based travel scholarships, they MUST take advantage of these fundraisers as a prerequisite for application. See Travel Scholarships, page 12. 11
Travel Scholarships: Prep & Premier In many choirs, travel is available to the members whose families can afford it, and those that can t afford it don t travel. Because the SCC is committed to all members participating fully in travel opportunities, the Board of Trustees puts a great deal of effort into fundraising to have needs-based travel scholarships available. Families who plan on requesting travel scholarships are expected to actively participate in and meet a defined minimum commitment for all scheduled travel fundraisers (including Program Book, Belk Charity Days, Spaghetti Supper, Sunday Supper & Serenade, etc.) as well as making a personal financial commitment to travel. Travel scholarships are not available to SCC members with immediate family who plan to accompany them on tour. Prior to applying for a travel scholarship, each member must have completed the minimum defined commitment for EACH of the fundraisers below. Defined Minimum Commitment required to apply for a 2015/2016 Travel Scholarship Program Book Ad Sales Sell a minimum of $100 in advertisements in the annual Program Book. Ads range from $25 personal greetings to quarter- to full-page business ads ranging in price from $150-$450. 70% of each sale goes directly into the member s individual trip account. Belk Charity Days: Sell a minimum of 10 tickets each for both the Fall and Spring Charity Sale (20 tickets total) Tickets are $5 each, and give the ticket-holder a $5 discount off their first purchase and additional discounts during Belk s two annual Charity Day sale events. The sale is the same day at every Belk throughout the Southeast, and the tickets may be used at any Belk store. Once the original 10 are sold, you may ask for more to sell. The total ticket fee goes directly into the member s individual travel account. 12
Spaghetti Supper: The SCC schedules two annual Spaghetti Suppers to raise funds for SCC travel. The fall supper is always held the Monday after Thanksgiving, and on a Monday in March. Funds raised at these dinners lower the entire cost of the trip across the board for all choir members. Contribute a minimum of one item at each event (i.e. 5 lbs cooked spaghetti, 3 large jars of sauce, etc.) and volunteer at each event. Sunday Supper and Serenade: Sell a minimum of 4 tickets to a Sunday Supper and Serenade. The $25 ticket provides the ticket-holder with a delicious dinner (provided by the facility) plus a concert (provided by the choir). The total ticket fee goes directly into each member s individual travel account. Letty s Purse Thanks to a partnership with Letty s Purse, a local donor organization, children may apply at different times during the year to receive Letty s Purse funds. Children submit a written application and present their application verbally to Letty s Purse organizers, and once provisionally approved, must pay the gift forward through other volunteer activities prior to receiving funds. This program is not need based, and any SCC member may apply for funds to help with any SCC-related fees such as tuition, costuming, or travel. Scheduled times for presenting applications will be announced well in advance. Application forms and Pay It Forward documentation forms are available for download on the password-protected parent s page on our website, www.savannahchoir.org. 13
Summer Camp in Detail Any member of a prior season s choir who wishes to continue with the choir must re-audition annually at Summer Camp. Summer Camp is held annually over two weeks in late July, with an End of Camp concert on the last Friday of camp. The camp is our primary instructional kickoff for the choir season, and serves as an annual audition for new members and a re-audition for prior season s members. Special pricing for returning members, early-bird discounts and sibling discounts are offered. Tuition and fees for Summer Camp range from $300-$330. Returning Member Discount and Reservation Period (For current members) The SCC offers a special members only discounted rate for summer camp registration, and also guarantees that seats are held for members who wish to continue with the SCC. Member registrations submitted before March 31 will be eligible for the special member rate, and returning members will be guaranteed a space. Starting April 1, full price registrations will be accepted on a first-come, firstserved basis, until registration closes on June 15. Early Bird Discounts: (For new campers) An Early Bird Tuition Discount will be available to all regular registrations submitted between February 1 and March 31. Starting April 1, full price registrations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis, until registration closes on June 15. Financial Aid: (For all) Need-based financial aid is available for Summer Camp, with qualifications identical to the Financial Aid for Tuition. When using Financial Aid for Summer Camp, no other discounts (Early Bird, member or sibling discounts) apply. 14
Financial Aid Form If you wish to apply for financial aid, please complete this form and bring with you to the Parent s Meeting on Saturday, August 15 Please use the envelope provided to submit your materials Name Choir Discovery Apprentice Prep Premier Sibling Name Choir Discovery Apprentice Prep Premier Cell# Email Level 1 TANF, Food Stamp, Public or Section 8 Households (A, P & P) 1. Do you NOW receive TANF for your child(ren)? YES NO 2. Do you NOW receive food stamps for your child(ren)? YES NO 3. Do you live in public housing or use Section 8 assistance? YES NO If you have answered YES to any of the above questions, sign the Financial Aid Verification and Contract and attach proof of TANF, Food Stamps, Section 8 or a public housing lease and bring it with you to the Parent s Meeting on August 15. Tuition is due as described in Payment Schedule at a Glance. Level 2 All Other Households (and ALL Discovery) If you do NOT receive Food Stamps or TANF, live in public housing or use Section 8 housing assistance, but your family s adjusted gross income falls into the following range, complete this form and attach a copy of your most recent tax return and bring it with you to the Parent s Meeting on August 15. For a family of: Income equal to or less than: 2 $ 33,453 3 $ 42,189 4 $ 50,925 5 $ 59,661 6 $ 68,397 Tuition is due as described in Payment Schedule at a Glance. 15
Financial Aid Verification I certify that all of the above information is true and correct and that all income is reported. If I have stated for Level 1 financial aid that I receive Food Stamps, TANF, Section 8 or live in public housing, I have reported this information correctly and proof is attached. If I have stated my income as described in Level 2, I have reported this information correctly and my most recent tax form is attached. I understand that this information is being given as application for the receipt of Financial Aid and that the Savannah Children s Choir may verify this information. Contract By accepting financial aid from the Savannah Children s Choir, I am committing my child to faithful attendance at rehearsals, performances and (if a member of the Prep or Premier Choir) travel. If my child exceeds the allowed number of excused absences, or has more than two unexcused absences I understand that financial aid will be revoked, and I must pay the remaining regular tuition balance in full in order for my child to continue participating in Choir. I also understand that should my child quit SCC for any reason before the end on the 2015/2016 season, I am still responsible for the balance owed and will pay it by the deadlines listed elsewhere in this handbook. Parent or Guardian (Signature) Date 16
Acceptance Form Please complete this form and bring with you to the Parent s Meeting on Saturday, August 15 Please use the envelope provided to submit your materials On behalf of my child, I accept their seat in the 2015/2016 Savannah Children s Choir. Financial By accepting a seat in the Savannah Children s Choir, I am making a financial commitment for tuition, costuming, travel and (should my child wish to continue with the choir) Summer Camp. I commit to paying my financial obligations in a timely manner and understand that late fees will be assessed should I not pay in a timely manner. If I need assistance, I have reviewed and understand the financial assistance the Choir offers as outlined in the choir handbook and know that there are fundraisers I can participate in to help offset the cost of tuition and travel. I also understand that if my family s situation changes during the year, I may contact the SCC for help. Scheduling and Communications By accepting a seat in the Savannah Children s Choir, I am making a commitment to the Savannah Children s Choir for weekly rehearsal attendance on Monday or Tuesday afternoons, and attendance at scheduled dress rehearsals, performances and events. I will make sure my child arrives and is picked up promptly at rehearsals, performances and events. I will regularly check texts, emails and voicemails for communications from the Choir and will use the Google calendar on the choir s web page to find detailed information on scheduled events. I will communicate any conflicts or unavoidable absences in advance to Choir organizers via phone, text or email, understand that only two excused absences are allowed each semester for rehearsals. I understand that all dress rehearsals and performances are mandatory. Travel I understand that travel is a part of how the SCC accomplishes its mission, and that by accepting a seat in the Prep or Premier Choir, I am committing to my child traveling with the SCC. I have reviewed and understand the various ways my child can raise funds to offset travel expenses. 17
Permission I give permission for my child to participate in the Savannah Children s Choir that meets at Savannah Arts Academy and St. Paul s Episcopal Church. I hereby release the staff, volunteers and representatives of the Savannah Children s Choir, Inc., St. Paul s Episcopal Church and the Savannah/Chatham County Public School System of any legal obligation in the event of accident or injury. Should medical attention be necessary, this may be sought for my child without financial obligation to the SCC. I allow my child to be photographed or videotaped for the purpose of communicating the objectives and activities of the SCC. I acknowledge that I have received the Choir Handbook and Fees booklet. I have read and understand the expectations, requirements and policies for membership with the Savannah Children's Choir and have discussed them thoroughly with my child. Member s Name Choir Discovery Apprentice Prep Premier (Please Print) Choir Member (Signature) Date Parent or Guardian (Signature) Date 18
Costume Rental Form: Apprentice, Prep & Premier Please complete this form and bring with you to the Parent s Meeting on Saturday, August 15 Please use the envelope provided to submit your materials & fees If you are an Apprentice Girl Enclose $40 for costume RENTAL (includes blouse and skirt) AND a separate $50 DEPOSIT * check. If you are a Prep or Premier Girl Are you a previous member of the Prep or Premier choir, or are you a member of the Garrison chorus and already own the approved uniform skirt? Yes. Go to A. No. Go to B. A. Enclose $25 for BLOUSE rental AND a separate $25 check for BLOUSE deposit* B. Enclose $50 for BLOUSE rental and SKIRT purchase AND a separate $25 check for BLOUSE deposit* *DEPOSIT checks should be made payable to SCC and post-dated to June 1, 2016. See directions below about how they ll be handled. If you are a boy in any choir: Enclose $25 for shirt purchase**. **Previous members do not need to purchase new shirts unless they ve outgrown or damaged their current shirts. Costume Contract Rented costumes are loaned to the member(s) named below for the period of September to May of the current choir season. Rental fee covers normal wear for items properly maintained (see Costume Maintenance in Choir Handbook). The fee doesn t apply to repair or replacement costs from damage, stains or loss. To ensure rented costumes are returned in good condition, the SCC collects a costume deposit in the form of a postdated check payable to the SCC. Deposit checks are held in a locked file cabinet. A Costume Deposit is ONLY required for girls blouses and Apprentice skirts. If items are returned at the appropriate time and in good condition, clean and on hangers, the deposit check will be destroyed. If the items are not returned at the appropriate time or are returned in poor condition, the check will be deposited. If a purchased item needs to be replaced, the SCC will order a replacement, provided that the cost of the item plus any shipping fees are paid in advance. I understand the Costume Contract as described above, the fees for rental and purchase, and the penalties for not returning items in a timely manner or in good condition. Member s Name (Please Print) Choir Apprentice Prep Premier Parent or Guardian (Signature) Date 19