Number: 3.30
Title: School Fees and Payment Schedules
Effective date: January 2023
Approved date: January 2023
Supersedes: 3.30
Dated: January 2019
Purpose
To define the method of establishing school fees and payment schedules.
Policy
Fee amounts shall be reviewed and approved each year by the Board of Trustees. This review shall take place in advance of the General Membership Meeting, in order to establish fees for the next calendar year.
1. Separate fees shall be charged for the following items:
a) Registration
b) Re-enrollment
c) Upfront Tuition Payments
d) Tuition
e) Transportation
f) Testing and Examination
g) Capital Assessment
h) Installment Plan
i) First Language
j) Additional Learning Support
2. The structure of each of the fees shall be as follows:
a) Registration Fee: A single lump sum payment for purposes of initial enrollment payable within four weeks of a student's acceptance. No refund shall be made if the student enrollment is withdrawn for any reason.
b) Re-enrollment Fee: A non-refundable re-enrollment fee which shall be submitted with the re-enrollment form for returning students. Payment received by 30 April guarantees a place.
c) Upfront Tuition Payments: An upfront payment is required and will be credited towards tuition. Only upon receipt of the applicable payment is admission / readmission assured. This upfront payment will not be refunded if the student application is withdrawn.
d) Tuition Fee: Annual, payable by 01 July or as agreed with the Director of Finance and Operations. If fees are not paid as per agreed terms, a child might lose his/her place in the school. Under such circumstances, readmission is solely at the discretion of the Head of School and must follow the normal admission procedures.
e) Transportation Fee: Annual, depending upon the distance of the student’s pick-up point from the school, payable in advance.
f) Testing and Examination Fees: Per incident and to be paid in advance of the examination. The fee for such examinations shall not exceed the total cost incurred by the school.
g) Capital Assessment Fee: Due and payable with the tuition fees. This contribution is not prorated except that if a child attends FIS less than 65 days in a given school year, half of the capital assessment fee for that year may be refunded upon request. Under special circumstances, the Head of School may allow the capital assessment fee to be due in years 2 and 3, rather than in years 1 and 2. The contribution shall be refunded in full if the registration of a child is withdrawn before the beginning of the school year.
h) Installment Plan: Parents may arrange to make installment payments under hardship conditions if this is agreed in advance with the Director of Finance and Operations and if all fees are paid in full prior to the end of the school year. An administrative charge is added to such a payment plan. Parents who are employed by the school are not subject to this administrative charge. Parents remain liable for the whole year's fees.
Parents may also choose to pay tuition and fees in two installments, i.e. 55 percent of the total amount by the first day of the new school year and 45 percent by 31 December. An administrative fee will be imposed on the second installment at a level to be determined by the Director of Finance and Operations, confirmed by the Head of School. Parents who are employed by the school are not subject to this administrative charge.
i) First Language Fees: The First Language program is financially supported by parents, national subsidies, and by FIS. Financial obligations on the part of the parents will be communicated separately.
j) Additional Learning Support Fees: Fees may apply for students who require more than standard learning support services. Parents will be notified of the fees at the time of admission or at an individual learning support meeting.
3. Tuition rebate may be awarded to families in financial need according to Tuition Rebate Policy 3.30211.
4. There will be a proration procedure for tuition and transportation fees which acknowledges the incremental costs of having students enroll for less than a full school year.
Cross-References:
Policy 3.30211, Tuition Rebates