Academy of Our Lady    180 Rodney Street   Glen Rock, NJ  07452   (201) 445-0622

Academy of Our Lady

 T.R.I.P. Program

Frequently Asked Questions

What is “scrip”?

Scrip is a term that means substitute money.  Scrip is a negotiable gift certificate / prepaid card from a participating merchant.  You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials.  Scrip is used just like cash and should be secured just like cash.

How is scrip accepted in the stores?

Scrip is accepted the same as cash.  Stores do vary in how much change they are willing to give back from your purchases.  Some give full change while others limit change to $5 or less.  Various denominations are available to alleviate some of these problems.  A safe rule of thumb would be to assume that change will be limited.

Can I purchase scrip with a credit card?

No.  Scrip must be purchased by check only

How do I track the tuition reduction I’ve earned?

You don’t have to but it is always a good habit to note in one safe place what you’ve purchased.  With each scrip order you will receive confirmation of the credit earned.  Cumulative reports will be distributed in advance of the October and April tuition due dates so that you may reduce such payments by the total credit earned.

Who are we using for our scrip and online purchases?

We have chosen to use Great Lakes for our scrip.  Scrip for the Market Basket is purchased directly by TRIP Plan.

Why is there a $10 up-front fee?

Many TRIP programs do not charge a “fee” because they participate in the earnings from scrip (i.e. the first $x go to the school or the school shares 50/50 in the profits alongside the family).  As 100% of the profits go to tuition reduction, Academy of Our Lady is not participating in the profits (unless a family chooses).  The $10 fee covers all out of pocket expenses (shipping, tracking software, envelopes, etc).

Why was the up-front fee reduced?

This fee was reduced from the $20 charged last year based upon the Plan's actual expense experience.  If you paid $20 fee last year, this year's $10 fee is waived.

Why is AoOL establishing a TRIP if  it isn’t receiving the profits?

Recognizing that tuition costs are only going to increase, having  TRIP is a way to enable families to help themselves.   Theoretically, a family can reduce it’s tuition cost to zero (but this would be unusual.)  In reality, having TRIP may make the difference between  a family being able to afford a catholic education or not.  AoOL will benefit by maintaining current enrollment levels and increasing parent satisfaction.

Are my scrip purchases tax deductible?

No.  As you receive scrip for the full face value, scrip purchases are not tax deductible.

Who do I contact with questions?

The TRIP Coordinator, Jeanne Vicari.  Send a note, or  call at 201-670-9769.

Do I have to order every week?

No.  You can place an order as often or infrequently as you like.

Are certificates ever not available? If so what happens?

Yes.  The broker from whom we purchase scrip and / or the retailer themselves may occasionally  be out of stock of a particular certificate.  Should this happen, we may try to fill the order with certificates of a different denomination or the item will be placed on ‘back order’.  Such certificates will be shipped to us with our next order or within 10 days, whichever is sooner.  You will be notified if an item you ordered is on back order.  If you wish to cancel the order, you must contact the TRIP coordinator immediately.

Can I return unused certificates?

No.  Due to the penalties charged on returned scrip, it is cost prohibitive.  As most scrip have expiration dates which range from 6 - 12 months, you need to manage your inventory.   

What if I  want to purchase a large ticket item through scrip?

Please notify the coordinator in advance so that she can work with the broker to ensure timely delivery.