by NYC Private Schools on February 23, 2010
The argument over tax credits for Private School tuition, vouchers for Private School tuition or about funding, refunding or fund-a-mental public money used to support Private Schools sparks an intense debate from all sides of the argument. When it comes to the education of our children its understandable that the discussion evokes such strong emotional reactions, so it is always nice when someone puts their response in a way that is both simple and supportive of the children themselves.
Whitney Tilson’s blog recently wrote on the subject of vouchers for education.
A lot of what I write about relates to charter schools, but by no means do I think charters are THE solution – they’re one of the 100 1% solutions that are necessary. In many cities and states, there are few/no charters schools and the public schools are terrible, so what alternatives are available? In many cases, the answer is Catholic schools. I think it’s nothing short of insane to, for example, spend nearly $20,000/student for a NYC public school that’s failing miserably, while a Catholic school right down the block shuts down due to lack of funds despite achieving real success with the same students spending only $5,000/student. Thus, I am a big supporter of carefully targeted voucher/tax-credit scholarship programs like the ones in Florida which my friend John Kirtley has been instrumental in championing.
Vouchers and credits for Private School tuition money are hot topics all around the country’s education industry. Some areas of the U.S. provide student vouchers for children who are at a disadvantage in their current school district or who have not been able to receive an appropriate education in their public school. Public money, however, quickly brings up the subject of public oversight, which is something that Private Schools do not wish to subject themselves to.
Parents and educators alike work and sacrifice towards the goal of helping children learn, and the environment in which that happens are varied. Be it in private or public schools, by voucher, Financial Aid, full scholarships or full funded, or publicly funded, an education must be our top priority.
by NYC Private Schools on February 22, 2010
Affording a Private School Education for your child in New York can be a full time pursuit in itself. Fees and tuition costs seem to rise even when they don’t actually increase. The ever increasing costs of living, especially in a large city, can squeeze your finances in ways that sometimes make Private School education costs seem overwhelming on your budget. The real cost and the real benefit of this type of education, however, is never fully realized in the now. It is the investment in your child’s education that makes such a huge difference in their lives down the road. It may seem pithy, but an investment in education truly is an investment in the future. If you hold back now, it is your child’s future that pays that particular cost later on.
Reduce Private School Costs
That being said, it still doesn’t make your child’s Private School tuition costs any easier to afford, so let’s look at some ways in which you can make the costs easier on your budget.
- While public school is paid for by everyone who pays taxes, private school, in comparison, is paid for by the parents who choose to send their children and by donations from individuals and alumni who believe in the schools’ ability to help educate and develop students. A few states do offer tax breaks for parents who pay for their childrens’ education separately.
- When you are discussing your child’s tuition costs with your Private School, talk with them to discover different possible discounts that you could qualify for: sibling discounts, religious affiliation discounts and even discounts offered to families who volunteer time or services to the school.
- Ask about scholarships and see which are available and if your child may qualify.
- While many schools automatically deduct tuition from your bank account using third party management services, find out if you can get a discount by paying the school directly, avoiding the middle man costs.
There are ways to decrease the costs of your child’s tuition to a NYC Private School but you have to ask about them and discuss the options with the school in order to take advantage of them.