FACTS F.A.Q.

1. Why is the school implementing this new policy and service?
2. What is the new payment process and what are my payment options?
3. How do I choose a payment plan and provide my information for automatic payments?
4. What is an ACH payment?
5. What are my options for paying supplemental and incidental fees (like athletics, trips, yearbook, lunches, jeans/pizza days, after-school care, after-school programs/classes, etc.)?
6. Does this mean that I can no longer write checks directly to the school for tuition payments for 2008-2009?
7. If I choose one of the automatic payment plans, do FACTS or Southfield Christian have any direct access to my account?
8. May I specify my student’s bank account for automatic payments if I am named as custodian on that account?
9. Can I specify the date of my monthly automatic payment or charge for tuition?
10. Will supplemental fees be charged to my tuition account in 2008-2009?
11. What happens if my account balance is insufficient to cover an automated payment?
12. What do I do if I encounter financial hardship?
13. How does this new payment service affect school tuition policies, including tuition reductions (discounts, scholarships, etc.)?
14. Is there an incentive for paying the annual tuition up front?
15. How and when do I pay my enrollment fees?
16. Will I be able to get an Account Statement whenever I request one?
17. Is there a charge or fee for credit card payments made through FACTS?
18. Whom may I contact to discuss questions and concerns I have about FACTS?

1. Why is the school implementing this new policy and service?

The Administration and School Board made a business decision to improve the financial stability of the school. One of the key issues concerning the school is the timing of tuition receipts versus school expenses. To help resolve cash flow issues and minimize the need for extraordinary fundraising in a troubled local economy, we have decided to use the FACTS Management Company for tuition and fees payment processing for 2008-2009. We also feel that this service establishes more secure and convenient payment options to our families.

2. What is the new payment process and what are my payment options?

For 2008-2009, each family will have the choice to make its tuition payment in full or go online to set up a pre-scheduled tuition payment plan. This is not a loan program, so no debt is incurred and no credit check is conducted. The School is offering the following payment options:

• Payment in full can be made by check, money order or through the FACTS secure online payment site.
• Two-pay by automatic payment in July 2008 and December 2008 from your bank account.
• Monthly plan by automatic payment from your bank account (a monthly ACH payment July 2008 through April 2009).
• Monthly plan by automatic credit card charge (a monthly payment, plus a 2.5% convenience fee, July 2008 through April 2009).
• Payroll deduction (SCS and HPBC employees only) as arranged with the SCS Business Office.

Families who enroll after June 5, 2008 will be advised by the business office as to: 1) any tuition that must be paid directly to the school at time of enrollment; and 2) how the remainder of the annual tuition amount will be spread by month through April 2009.

3. How do I choose a payment plan and provide my information for automatic payments?

FACTS will send you a Tuition Billing Statement confirming your annual tuition obligation for next year. The statement will have instructions for how to register for a payment plan at the FACTS secure payment site, www.factspayment.com . You must do this in order to complete the enrollment of your students. If you do not have internet access, contact the Business Office as soon as you receive the FACTS statement in order to make arrangements to use school facilities for your FACTS registration.

4. What is an ACH payment?

ACH payments are the payments you authorize FACTS to process directly through your bank or financial institution. They are simply bank-to-bank transfers of funds that you have pre-approved from either your checking or savings account.

5. What are my options for paying supplemental and incidental fees (like athletics, trips, yearbook, lunches, jeans/pizza days, after-school care, after-school programs/classes, etc.)?

FACTS will send an invoice on the 10th of the month for any fees due on the 1st of the following month. You can pay those invoices to FACTS by check, money order or through the FACTS secure online payment site. Online payment options include:

• Automatic bank payment (ACH) from your checking or savings account.
• Credit card payment (including a 2.5% convenience fee).

6. Does this mean that I can no longer write checks directly to the school for tuition payments for 2008-2009?

Yes.

7. If I choose one of the automatic payment plans, do FACTS or Southfield Christian have any direct access to my account?

No. The automatic payment process is strictly controlled by banking regulations. Neither FACTS nor the school will have direct access to or any knowledge about the status of your bank account. It is simply a bank-to-bank transfer of funds that you authorize when you register with FACTS.

For more information regarding the security of data that FACTS collects, please refer to the following links:
http://www.factsmgt.com/onecolumn.a...
http://www.factsmgt.com/overview.as...

8. May I specify my student’s bank account for automatic payments if I am named as custodian on that account?

Yes.

9. Can I specify the date of my monthly automatic payment or charge for tuition?

When you register with FACTS, you may specify either the 5th or the 20th of the month for your tuition payments. For families who enroll by May 28th: June 16th is the registration deadline for starting your monthly payments on July 5th; and June 30th is the registration deadline for starting your monthly payments on July 20th. If you happen to enroll after May 28th or miss the June registration deadlines, you will be required to make an initial payment directly to the School and the remainder of the annual tuition amount will be spread over the months remaining through April 2009.

10. Will supplemental fees be charged to my tuition account in 2008-2009?

No. Supplemental fees will be billed separately on the 10th and collected on the 1st of the following month through FACTS.

11. What happens if my account balance is insufficient to cover an automated payment?

FACTS will issue an NSF reminder notice to you and another attempt to withdraw the payment will be made. If further attempts are not successful, after approximately 10 days a $25 return payment fee will be charged by FACTS. Your bank may also charge an NSF fee for every failed attempt to make the automatic payment. If the account becomes delinquent, then SCS will dismiss your student from classes until the past due amount is settled.

12. What do I do if I encounter financial hardship?

As always, SCS will continue to work with families should special circumstances or “hardship” cases arise during the school year. Always contact the Business Manager (x248) whenever you anticipate that a payment will be missed.

13. How does this new payment service affect school tuition policies, including tuition reductions (discounts, scholarships, etc.)?

The school’s tuition and payment policies essentially remain the same. Your student’s account must remain current at all times. If the account becomes delinquent, the student may not be allowed to attend classes; or grades, transcripts and records may be withheld until the amount owed is settled.

The payment plans offered under the FACTS Tuition Service do not alter any financial aid and discounts that may be awarded and used to reduce your tuition bill. Any reductions awarded or modified during the year will be adjusted with FACTS by the School.

14. Is there an incentive for paying the annual tuition up front?

Yes. Families who pay the entire year’s tuition up front by July 20, 2008 will receive a $200 credit toward supplemental and incidental fees incurred by their student during the school year.

15. How and when do I pay my enrollment fees?

Enrollment fees are paid directly to the school when you submit your re-enrollment or new enrollment applications. Re-enrollment and new enrollment applications will not be processed until enrollment fees are paid.

16. Will I be able to get an Account Statement whenever I request one?

Yes. You and the School have access to your FACTS account at any time.

17. Is there a charge or fee for credit card payments made through FACTS?

Yes, there is a 2.5% convenience fee (2.5% of the payment amount) that will be added to each credit card payment.

18. Whom may I contact to discuss questions and concerns I have about FACTS?

Questions and comments can be directed to Ron Hintz, Business Manager, at (248) 357-3660 ext. 248. In addition, on March 19, 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm, a FACTS representative and the SCS Business Manager will be available at the school for private discussions if needed.