St Bernard Tuition Reduction Program

Scrip News and Updates

SHOP FOR EDUCATION NEWS

SPREAD THE WORD – LAST YEAR’S TUITION

SAVINGS EXCEEDED $28,000

In these tough economic times, become a savvy shopper and maximize tuition savings by utilizing this volunteer based program set up to specifically help you. Become one of our regular families and save, Save, SAVE.

What is the Shop for Education or Scrip Program?

The Scrip Program is a tuition reduction program that allows St. Bernard families to buy gift cards (“scrips”) from a long list of great retailers at a reduced cost (some as high as 15%). The savings (% discounts listed on www.glscrip.com less 1% for administrative costs) are then credited to the specified family’s tuition account. Credit will be applied on a quarterly basis. You can invite your family to participate as well. They can have their contributions apply to your account.

How do I find retailers?

We have a LARGE selection of in-stock vendors that we get from a variety of sources. All in-stock items can be found on our in-stock order form which is available at sales sites (see back) and on the www.stbschool.com website. The majority of the cards are ordered from www.glscrip.com. You can view available vendors anytime on this site and we can special order them for you. Please note that all % on the website will be reduced by 1% to cover our administrative fees. Other fees are picked up by willing volunteers from local vendors (Shop N Save, Rollier’s, Molly Brannigan’s, etc.)

Example #1: if you buy $1,000 worth of Giant Eagle gift cards in 5 months, $40 (4% of that amount) is directly credited to reduce your tuition balance.

Example #2: If you buy $100 worth of Lands End gift cards in 2 months for back to school shopping, $15 is directly credited to reduce your tuition balance

(website %= 16% - 1% admin. = 15% tuition credit)

Will the % always be the same?

No. Sometimes vendors run specials. On in-stock items we will alert you to extra savings. By visiting the website, you can check for favorite special order vendors extra savings.

SOME BONUS DISCOUNTS TO NOTE…

Starbucks 2% bonus 9-4 to 9-24 8% instead of 6%

iTunes 2% bonus 9-4 to 9-24 6% instead of 5%

Shutterfly 5% bonus 9-4 to 9-17 13% instead of 8%

Home Depot 1% bonus 9-4 to 10-1 4% instead of 3%

CVS 2% bonus 9-4 to 9-24 7% instead of 5%

Eat-n-Park 2% bonus 9-4 to 10-29 11% instead of 9%

THE NEW KIDS IN TOWN…

Some new retailers are offering scrip cards and both would be special order:

Quizno’s offer a $10.00 card at a 9% discount

Bravo! Restaurants offer a $25.00 card with an 11% discount

IN THE WORDS OF UNCLE SAM…WE NEED YOU!

We have volunteer opportunities available if you would like to help in the selling of scrips. Our most pressing need is for Sundays especially after the 9:30 AM Masses on the second and fourth Sundays of the month. There are other slots available for Sundays but currently the 9:30 AM Sunday Mass sales are in jeopardy. Without volunteers to staff and sell, we may have to eliminate this sale time and that would be unfortunate for the entire parish. Please consider helping out for as little as one mass a month. Volunteering is a great way to be organized and ensure you’re stocked up on all the scrip cards you will need to do your own personal shopping!

For more information and/or volunteer opportunities, please contact one of your Shop for Education coordinators: Suzanne Bindseil – the bindseils@yahoo.com (412-343-4712) or Ellen Kittle – ellen.w.kittle@verizon.net (412-344-0447).

Interested? To participate here are the options:

Use the In-Stock Order & Special Order Form. These forms will be available AT SALES SITES (see below) and on the www.stbschool.com website (see “Scrip Program” tab). Complete the form. In stock items are listed. Write in special orders. Discover a complete list of retailers at www.glscrip.com. Write in retailer, dollar amount and quantity.

Make check payable to “Shop for Education”

Present check and form in one of two methods:

At sales sites: These sites are currently after the 9:30 AM and 11:00 AM masses in the rectory lobby AND in the band room on Wednesday afternoons between 2:30 PM and 2:50 PM. OR…

Send check and form through the school office in an envelope clearly marked “SHOP FOR EDUCATION” by TUESDAY, 2 PM. Orders received by Tuesday afternoon will be fulfilled as follows: In stock items will be available to pick up in the band room on Wednesday afternoon OR you can opt to have the cards sent home through the Blue Envelope. You will indicate your choice on your form. Special Order items will need to be ordered and will be available the next week on Wednesday and can be picked up in the band room or sent home in the Blue Envelope.