Can I still qualify for a tuition break?

SixOfWands

Mon, Aug 03 2020, 11:48 am

If there is a specific reason that you are unable to work, you're going to need to share it with the school. Eg, you have a child with special needs who requires 24/7 support from you, or you are disabled.

But particularly in these days, when people are struggling to make ends meet, its rather unlikely that a school is going to accept that you have probably $2 million or more in income-producing assets, and, because you choose to live off the interest, want them to use their tzedaka and fundraising to help pay your kids' tuition. And, to be fully honest, I'd be upset if our schools did that.

amother

Mustard

Tue, Aug 04 2020, 2:07 am

Seriously- your school will probably wonder why you aren't working. And if they didn't I would want to make sure I don't send to that school.

I work myself to the bone at an exhausting job because that was all I could find. We have graduate school level degrees so we tried our best to be able to afford life. Best plans and all. But life hit us hard. My field is flooded now. My husband has been unemployed but trying to find work. He Even does independent contracting which means a lot of overhead and it isn't stable work. He also has had medical issues which cost us a ton including a surgery etc. plus his downtime. He has mental health issues that are expensive to treat. A kid needs therapy for a delay. We explained all of this. We opened it all up. We can't pay our bills even though we cut every corner possible so that they are all circles...

We didn't pay for any vacations. We rent and we don't rent a house like others do! It's an apartment! We don't eat out on our dime. Does the school want the gift card I got from a previous place I worked at?? Would that have paid our tuition bill?? I couldn't sell it as it had my name on it. (Kosher restaurant certificate). We didn't splurge and eat more than the cards value. I don't buy fancy clothes, my kids don't get fancy stuff (unless you count target, Walmart, children's place clearance sales as fancy ...or the end of season sales I shop so it turns out cheaper than target!! No frum clothing even for me.) we get a lot of stuff in life as gifts or from exchange type groups (people offer things up for free that they don't need- clothes, books, toys...). I buy stuff from the dollar store when I can (and only it is worth it, obviously not everything there is a good deal). I guess our splurge is health insurance but so glad we have a decent plan as I needed a specialist, my husband needed surgery and we don't qualify for government benefits for anything!!! Not even an health care exchange discount (but doctors we needed to see don't accept that... I tried! Oh yeah, I have some medical issues too. And they weren't being taken care of by a different Doctor I tried. I ended up needing a specialty med that the first doctor couldn't do.)

We got pittance for a tuition break.

We are so upset!! No idea how we can cover the bill. I guess they assumed the stimulus check would go straight to them... But we needed food! Rent!
I just hope my job doesn't cut hours. I try to get as much overtime as I can but they are cracking down on it. Every penny helps... But I would crack if I had to take a second job. Taking care of kids, household needs, the dumb parent service hours the school demands or they charge us more... And yes, DH helps a lot but he is trying to find work and do the independent contracting but he can't do it all either (mental health or ability). He doesn't know how to mend clothes, really get stains out of clothes etc... I tried teaching him but he is all thumbs for that.
I don't know what they expect me to do? Panhandle??? I already begged them and it didn't work.... Or do they just think we are lying? I wonder if anyone got a decent amount per kid this year...

amother

Ivory

Tue, Aug 04 2020, 4:22 am

amother [ Mustard ] wrote:

I used to be part of tuition committee.

Mustard, go back and say it again with those details. Let them know what your reality is like and that you are not exaggerating

OP, it's not right. If u have that kind of assets, cash them in and pay for your child chinich so ppl like mustard can pay for theirs and sleep at night.

Your child's education is a great investment too even though you might not see the interest income right away

amother

Mustard

Tue, Aug 04 2020, 11:52 pm

amother [ Ivory ] wrote:

The school uses FACTS and we wrote all that. His physical and mental health. That we don't do fancy things, that I coupon, his unemployment. They saw our checking account statements. That we rent and have high insurance costs. We opened ourselves up...

amother

Ivory

Wed, Aug 05 2020, 8:41 am

amother [ Mustard ] wrote:

Mustard - They also read through tens of them. One person got yours. If you really cant do it, you have to appeal. Reach out again. Ask for a meeting. No one wants you to not put bread on the table.

amother

Mustard

Thu, Aug 06 2020, 6:38 pm

amother [ Ivory ] wrote:

Mustard - They also read through tens of them. One person got yours. If you really cant do it, you have to appeal. Reach out again. Ask for a meeting. No one wants you to not put bread on the table.

How do you suggest we go about this? School will just say they cancelled their dinner so we don't have the money. But we likely won't have in person school which means Working will be that much harder for me...

amother

Wine

Thu, Aug 06 2020, 6:49 pm

amother [ Mustard ] wrote:

Now file an appeal directly to the committee. They've rejected you in the mass dealing. Now make them look at you individually. We had to do that after my husband's heart attack.

May I offer you a bracha that you get the assistance that you need, and that things get better for you this year?

amother

Ivory

Thu, Aug 06 2020, 7:07 pm

amother [ Mustard ] wrote:

Try it. Don't be scared. They lost out on their dinner and you lost out this year due to other things. Speak to someone.

amother

Natural

Thu, Aug 06 2020, 7:34 pm

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