CERTIFICATE PROGRAM

ST. GREGORY THE GREAT CERTIFICATE PROGRAM (2007 - 2008)

Certificate Program Order Form (pdf) (as of 5-19-08)
Certificate Program Waiver Form (pdf)
"Dough for Dollars" Order Form

The certificate program provides an easy way to reduce tuition expenses for your children at St. Gregory the Great School. If you are a parishioner without children in the school, you can still participate in the program. Simply indicate a relative's, neighbor's, or friend's children to receive the tuition credit for your purchases. You can also give your tuition credit to the school's scholarship fund.


1. How does the new program work?
The certificate program runs from May 1st through April 30th. The credit earned on certificates purchased through April 30th will be deducted from next year's tuition (i.e., 2007-2008). Credits earned on certificates purchased after May 1st will be deducted from your following year's tuition (i.e., 2008-2009).

Certificates are ordered using the attached form. (Note: The items offered change frequently. Updated forms are available online (see link above), at the Rectory and Credit Union). No certificates are kept on hand. The certificates currently offered are for products and services available in and around Cleveland or online. Should you be planning an out-of-town vacation or business trip, ask us for the entire list of available certificates. There may be additional certificates you wish to purchase for your trip.

Payments (check only, made payable to St. Gregory Certificate Program) must accompany the order or it will be held until payment is received. Anyone writing a non-sufficient fund check will incur a fee of $25.00. This fee must be paid prior to your next order, or it will be deducted from your tuition credit balance.

Orders may be turned in at the Rectory, through the Saturday/Sunday collection baskets or through the school by 8:30 a.m. on Monday. If you turn in your order after 8:30 a.m. Monday, it will be held until the next processing date. Certificates are ordered once per week on Monday morning.

All orders may be picked up at the rectory beginning on Friday. Note: It has been our experience that the certificates are available by Friday. They are not, however, guaranteed to be in the Rectory until Sunday.

Orders for customers who requested school pick up or Monday delivery via the youngest/only child will be sent to the school early Monday morning if they haven't already been picked up at the Rectory. Others will remain at the Rectory until they are picked up. If you choose to have your certificates sent home with your child, you must sign the attached waiver to release the school, rectory, credit union, and/or certificate program volunteers from any liability should the certificates be lost or stolen.

2. How does this program reduce my future tuition payments?
On the attached order form, you will see a credit percentage earned for every company listed. You will receive 75% of that credit which will be put towards your child(ren)'s tuition. The remaining 25% will be kept by the certificate program to help cover overhead expenses.

In addition to your order, you may also ask friends, family members, and co-workers to participate in this program and request that the savings they earn be credited to your family.

3. How will I actually receive my tuition credit?
Throughout the school year, your tuition credit will continue to grow depending on the volume of your purchases and those of your family and friends. At the end of April, both you and the credit union will be sent a statement of your total tuition credit earned for the year. If you pay your tuition in full, you may deduct this amount from your tuition payment. If you pay your tuition with a 10-month credit union loan, the credit union will deduct this amount prior to sending you your loan coupons.

No money will ever be returned to you; and your tuition credits cannot be used for anything other than St. Gregory the Great tuition. Also, should your child(ren) leave St. Gregory the Great for any reason, any unused tuition credits would be forfeited to the certificate program scholarship fund.

4. How much could I actually save towards tuition?
You can make this program as big as you want for yourself. With friends, family members and co-workers, you can bring your tuition cost down lower than you've ever paid in years. In some cases, your child(ren)'s tuition could be paid in full. If you earn annual tuition credits in excess of your annual tuition cost, it will be forfeited to the school's scholarship fund.

Below is an example of what you might spend on a monthly basis. Remember, for the most part, these are bills you are currently incurring. You are simply buying certificates instead of paying the retailer directly.

Example:

Also, don't forget those occasional opportunities such as remodeling a room (Home Deport, Lowe's); planning a party (Holiday Grill Catering, Merry Maids); teacher gifts (Holcomb's, Bath & Body Works); birthday/shower gifts (Borders, Babies R Us, Galyan's, Linens & Things, Williams-Sonoma); First Communion (Family Christian Stores), etc.

5. How are the certificates used?
The certificates are the same as cash and cannot be replaced, so be careful! Also, some certificates have expiration dates and should be used promptly. Certificates are provided in the form of paper or debit cards. For paper certificates, change is usually given should your purchase be less than the value of the certificate. There are a few retailers, however, who do not give change. For debit cards, the available balance is reduced each time the card is presented until the balance is zero. JC Penney and Kohl's are the only stores that will allow you to payoff your credit card bill with their certificates. Please do not attempt to pay off any other credit card bills with your certificates.

Finally, we recommend that you use your certificates as soon as possible after you purchase them. Should the company go out of business (i.e., Cooker Bar & Grill) the certificates you have purchased may not be refunded or exchanged.

6. Why should I participate in this program?
Participation in this program benefits your children by making tuition more affordable for you. The best thing about this program is that you are earning credit for your child(ren)'s tuition by paying for items and services you currently use; you are not out of pocket any additional money.

St. Gregory the Great Church and School has no responsibility for this program. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact:

Christine Novinc     (440) 446-9399
Laura Lawless        (216) 382-4414

**If you or someone you know has a business and would like it to be added to the list of certificates offered, please contact Christine Novinc.