The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP)

An Easy Way to Reduce Your Christian School Tuition

The Tuition Reduction Incentive Program (TRIP) of the Grand Rapids Christian Schools is an easy way to reduce tuition costs. In fact, it's so easy - and so effective - that many parents wonder why they didn't use it sooner!

Families who use TRIP can potentially reduce their tuition by hundreds of dollars each year. All current and future Grand Rapids Christian School families, regardless of income, are eligible to participate in TRIP.

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What is TRIP and how does it work?

TRIP is a program of PACE (Parents Assisting Christian Education), a non profit group of parent volunteers who are committed to keeping Christian education affordable.

TRIP enables parents to reduce their tuition by purchasing gift certificates - at no additional cost - for goods and services that they buy every day.

Parents buy the gift certificates at face value from TRIP in increments ranging from $5 to $100. As parents buy the certificates, a percentage of their purchase is credited to their family's TRIP account. The percentage varies depending on the business, but ranges from 2% to 20%. Twice a year, the accumulated credits in their TRIP account are applied to their tuition account.

A wide variety of businesses participate in TRIP The gift certificates can be used like cash for goods and services that parents purchase regularly (groceries, gas, clothing, etc.). A complete list of participating businesses and the percentages of credit that they offer is available from the TRIP Committee.

For example, if a family normally spends $500 a month at D & W, they can purchase $500 in D & W gift certificates from TRIP and receive a 4% TRIP credit ($20). Over a year, they would accumulate $240 in TRIP credits which could be deducted directly from their Grand Rapids Christian School tuition.

Who can participate?

Anyone can participate in TRIP and help reduce a family's tuition! Grandparents, aunts and uncles, church members, and friends can enroll in TRIP and designate their credits to go to a specific family's tuition account. Or, they can disburse them to the Grand Rapids Christian Schools for application to the Tuition Assistance Fund, which assists many families.

Families who are planning to eventually enroll their children - even children not yet born - in the Grand Rapids Christian Schools can also participate in TRIP. Their TRIP credits will be held until they want them applied to a tuition account within the Grand Rapids Christian Schools system.

Credits are not transferable to other schools. Many young couples use TRIP now to reduce tuition in the future.

How do I enroll?

Enrolling in TRIP is easy! Simply fill out a registration form which is available at each school office. Return your completed registration form to the school or the TRIP office, which is located at the Grand Rapids Christian Schools administrative offices at 1812 Sylvan. Upon receipt of your application, your family will be assigned a TRIP account number. Use this number each time you order TRIP certificates.

The TRIP office is open weekly during the school year except during school vacations. During the summer each school's schedule varies. Call your school office or the TRIP office (616-574-6347) to obtain the current schedule.

How do I purchase TRIP certificates?

TRIP order forms are used to purchase certificates. They are available at each school office and from the TRIP office. When you enroll in TRIP, you will receive your first order form, along with complete instructions and TRIP policies.

To purchase certificates, complete all of the information at the top of the order form and include your TRIP account number. Select the number of certificates you need from each participating business and calculate the total dollar amount.

Include a check payable to PACE/ TRIP for the total amount with your order form. (Please do not send cash.) Note your TRIP account number on the bottom of the check.

Wednesday morning is the deadline for submitting TRIP orders. Each school has a specific time on Wednesday when orders must be received. TRIP orders can be dropped off at your school. (If you mail your order, it must be received by Tuesday.)

Your certificates will be available for pick up on the following Wednesday from your school. You can place another order at the time you receive your certificates. You can also choose to have the certificates mailed to you or have your children bring the certificates home.

How are TRIP credits applied to my tuition account?

At the end of December and April, TRIP families receive a statement from TRIP that summarizes the total dollar amount of their TRIP credits. The Grand Rapids Christian Schools business office also receives a statement of their TRIP account, indicating the amount of tuition credits that are available to apply to their tuition account.

Upon receipt of this statement, parents may request that the credits be applied to their tuition account. They can subtract the TRIP credit from their next payment to The Grand Rapids Christian Schools and send a note with their payment, indicating that TRIP credits are to be applied.

VIP Certificates (Vendors In Partnership) and TRIP Vouchers

The TRIP Committee also offers two additional programs, Vendors in Partnership (VIP) Certificates and TRIP Vouchers, which also can reduce tuition.

The VIP Certificate is a "generic" gift certificate created by the TRIP Committee. It is available in $5 and $25 amounts. The VIP certificates can be used at a wide variety of businesses that have agreed to accept them. They earn 4% in TRIP credits.

Businesses that honor TRIP Vouchers will credit a percentage of a family's purchase to their TRIP account. The percentages vary depending on the business. To obtain the credit, families must present a preprinted TRIP Voucher to the business at the time of the purchase. The participating business sends the credit to the TRIP Committee for application to the family's TRIP account. TRIP Vouchers are available at no charge from the TRIP office.

If you have any questions or would like to enroll in TRIP, please call (616) 574-6347.

Upon receipt of this statement, parents may request that the credits be applied to their tuition account. They can subtract the TRIP. credit from their next payment to the Grand Rapids Christian Schools and send a note with their payment, indicating that TRIP. credits are to be applied.

If you have any questions or would like more information about TRIP, please call the TRIP office at (616) 574-6347.