Fed families and the shutdown

[Anonymous]

We are a two-fed family paying full price for our son’s tuition. I’m wondering if any privates are considering the financial situations of their fed families. While I realize they cannot waive tuition as the schools have bills to pay, it might be nice to give the option of paying once the gov reopens. Or at the very least (in our case) stop with the constant phone calls and emails about the annual giving campaign.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry OP. I think it's fine to tell the giving campaign caller that you have no income right now and will revisit when the government reopens. Or give $20 so they can take you off the list.

You should reach out to the school and ask about deferring some of your tuition payment or getting on a payment plan. I think it's better to ask, than to wait for the school to realize its families may have issues (which may never happen).

Also, it's probably too late to apply for financial aid but you should apply at the next opportunity.

[Anonymous]

Ask, they might let you do it. I'm sure they are sympathetic, and this isn't opening any time soon.

[Anonymous]

I have full income and don’t give anything to the annual campaign. I already pay full tuition.

[Anonymous]

Just ask.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have full income and don’t give anything to the annual campaign. I already pay full tuition.

^^ Bad privileged attitude; does not understand how private schools operate.

[Anonymous]

This is not the first year this has happened, so the school's business office has dealt with it before. Call and open a dialogue. Don't expect much.

[Anonymous]

Have you said anything to your school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have full income and don’t give anything to the annual campaign. I already pay full tuition.

^^ Bad privileged attitude; does not understand how private schools operate.

Np here, I feel the same. I pay full tuition for two elementary kids and send my older two to a private that gives merit aid (did not even look at the more highly regarded private high school where both would have excelled.) it boils my blood every time the elementary asks for more.
If you need more money, raise your price or close your school. Also: if I’m giving money to a charity, best believe it’s not going to be your school full of spoiled brats and parents putting on airs about their donations/noblesse oblige!

[Anonymous]

If you’re going to have a problem with a tuition payment, definitely call them right away. I don’t think they would ever offer a blanket deferral, that would put them at too much risk. But maybe they can work with you individually depending on their policies.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have full income and don’t give anything to the annual campaign. I already pay full tuition.

^^ Bad privileged attitude; does not understand how private schools operate.

Np here, I feel the same. I pay full tuition for two elementary kids and send my older two to a private that gives merit aid (did not even look at the more highly regarded private high school where both would have excelled.) it boils my blood every time the elementary asks for more.
If you need more money, raise your price or close your school. Also: if I’m giving money to a charity, best believe it’s not going to be your school full of spoiled brats and parents putting on airs about their donations/noblesse oblige!

I mean this is fine but they obviously chose “combine tuition with fundraising” for some good reasons. You don’t have to participate. It’s as close to a sliding scale as you’re going to get.

[Anonymous]

Our private school already sent an email instructing any families financially affected to reach out to the business office. I’m surprised yours hasn’t. I’m sorry for your situation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have full income and don’t give anything to the annual campaign. I already pay full tuition.

^^ Bad privileged attitude; does not understand how private schools operate.

Np here, I feel the same. I pay full tuition for two elementary kids and send my older two to a private that gives merit aid (did not even look at the more highly regarded private high school where both would have excelled.) it boils my blood every time the elementary asks for more.
If you need more money, raise your price or close your school. Also: if I’m giving money to a charity, best believe it’s not going to be your school full of spoiled brats and parents putting on airs about their donations/noblesse oblige!

Why are you calling your child a spoiled brat?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are a two-fed family paying full price for our son’s tuition. I’m wondering if any privates are considering the financial situations of their fed families. While I realize they cannot waive tuition as the schools have bills to pay, it might be nice to give the option of paying once the gov reopens. Or at the very least (in our case) stop with the constant phone calls and emails about the annual giving campaign.

Absolutely call the business office and explain! They will want to work with you.

I don't blame schools for not making blanket policies though because, well, this always happens. We've had Covid, DOGE, the previous record-holding shutdown, etc., all of which affected different DC households and industries in different ways. They can't really make broad dispensations in some cases and not others.

(I totally hear you on the annual giving calls, but look at it this way: raising money is exactly how schools give themselves the ability to be flexible when things like this happen! You have no obligation to give personally, so just tune it out for now and give back later if that feels right to you.)