What if you can't pay the tuition anymore?

[Anonymous]

I should have never committed to the new school year but I wanted my son to have some stability by keeping him in his private school. I have been continuously late with monthly tuition payments, begged, borrowed and stole (not really) but I have no more immediate funds until I find a job. The school has told me that my child cannot attend any further until I bring my account current. What can I do? School has no financial aid in the pot for me.

[Anonymous]

pull your child out of the private school and put them in the public school if you can't afford it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:pull your child out of the private school and put them in the public school if you can't afford it.

If your school can't help you, this really sounds like your only option.

[Anonymous]

Looks like continuing in private simply isn't an option at this point. It sounds like you've exhausted all borrowing options but, even if you could borrow from a bank or your 401(k), it sounds like you can't make loan payments. You really need to stop digging.

Possibly the best option is to move him to public now, because it's probably just a week or two into the quarter/semester so you shouldn't wait any longer. If you aren't in bounds for a good public and you can break a lease, then move to a good public school district.

Otherwise, you are looking at homeschooling for the rest of the year. If you're up for it and capable of doing it.

And stop digging yourself in. Your son needs a roof over his head and 3 square meals and a mom who feels reasonably in control of her situation. He needs all these things more than he needs a private school when there are plenty of good public schools out there.

[Anonymous]

So sorry, OP. It must be really hard to tell your kid that they have to move school. How old is your DS? Sometimes a move for a kid can be a good thing. Both of my kids moved this year and adapted really quickly - my 8 year old relished all the attention. My 6 year old took a few weeks to settle but now appreciates having more kids to choose from. Try to think long term and move your kid sooner rather than later.

[Anonymous]

Can you charge the remaining payments? if not, I have read advice that says changing schools after spring break is a good strategy for kids.


the no finanical aid makes this school not feasible for you any more. I ran into a similar situation when my child was in private but they were able to extend us some aid to help out till the end of the year.

[Anonymous]

Do you have tuition insurance?

[Anonymous]

I wish you had other options OP! I actually started a private fund at our school for parents who couldn't finish out the year because I hated seeing kids getting yanked out mid year. It happened to me as a single mother and 7 years later I am at a much better place so don't let your current situation get you down, you will rise out of it OP!! PS: enrolling my kid mid year in a very crappy public school in no way scared him or ruined him, he was actually totally fine. I kept him in this "poor preforming" school for 3 years and he was still fine, because I was an active parent in his education which is often time all it takes to make a "crappy" school a good one.

[Anonymous]

Taking him out midyear is one worry I have (but I agree with the advice here). The other is that I signed a contract with the school committing me to pay tuition for the entire school year. Can the school make me pay the whole year but also not let him attend until I pay?

[Anonymous]

Pull your child, he'll be fine! I agree with the PP's who are telling you that your child will be fine, might even be better than fine. You will feel so much better when you don't have to "beg, borrow, etc." every month to pay an expensive tuition. That alone will improve your child's situation. Having a more relaxed mom will be great for your child. If the public school isn't good, try to move (either this school year or next). There are great schools here. It just isn't worth it to go broke paying for this school. You will do well with the move and so will your child. It will all work out.

[Anonymous]

Please don't do anything you will regret for years to come. Digging out of a financial mess can only happen, when you address what is causing the "mess". How much will it take to bring your account current? Can you borrow just that amount? I understand how you feel about having to remove your child from the school mid-year but worrying about what others will think will only make the situation worse. Do what's best for YOUR sanity so you make some good decisions for your son.

Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Taking him out midyear is one worry I have (but I agree with the advice here). The other is that I signed a contract with the school committing me to pay tuition for the entire school year. Can the school make me pay the whole year but also not let him attend until I pay?

I don't know the answer to your question, but I expect the school would be kind enough to work you through it. Can you meet with them and tell them it's no longer workable for your DS to stay at the school, and then plan an exit strategy. You need to know this information. And if you get it directly from the school, there's more likelihood they will do something to help you. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

It seems to me they're saying he has to go unless your account is current. If they're the ones forcing him out, I think you have a pretty good argument that you won't be paying the rest of the year's tuition.

Also, to the PP who advised OP to move if she had to get into a better district, you obviously have no clue how expensive it is to move.

OP. Stay put in your current living quarters. Work with the school and cordially let them know that it won't be at all possible for you to bring your account current and coordinate a good time (for teachers, classmates, and your son) for your son's last day. Empathize with your son but don't overdo it. People have to do tough things sometimes and this is fairly easy in the scheme of things.
Take him to tour his new school and see if you can get a bead on who his new teacher will be. Then celebrate your newfound freedom and get that job!! Good luck to you both.

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you're going thru this, OP. My family went though it a few years ago, at the height of the recession. Go visit your local public school, tell them you are considering enrolling your child and that he needs a student number. I bet you will feel better when you see there are some nice kids and teachers there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish you had other options OP! I actually started a private fund at our school for parents who couldn't finish out the year because I hated seeing kids getting yanked out mid year. It happened to me as a single mother and 7 years later I am at a much better place so don't let your current situation get you down, you will rise out of it OP!! PS: enrolling my kid mid year in a very crappy public school in no way scared him or ruined him, he was actually totally fine. I kept him in this "poor preforming" school for 3 years and he was still fine, because I was an active parent in his education which is often time all it takes to make a "crappy" school a good one.

What a big heart you have starting a fund. Most people bitch about give a hundred bucks to the annual fund. A big thumbs up to you!