COVID-19 FAQ
What is the school’s tuition refund policy for the 2020-21 school year, and what kind of payment plan and financial aid are available?
Last Update: August 16, 2020
St. Stephen’s Tuition Refund Policy for 2020-21 School Year
All families are obligated to pay tuition fees with the exception of boarding families that cannot attend St. Stephen’s due to unresolvable government or immigration restrictions.
In the event that St. Stephen’s operates exclusively in the remote living and learning model, the School will refund fees for applicable auxiliary services not provided (dining fees, facility use fees, boarding fees, academy and theater focus fees) on a prorated basis. This calculation will be made twice during the academic year, once in early December and again in early May and student accounts will be credited accordingly.
St. Stephen’s Tuition Refund Policy for 2020-21 School Year
All families are obligated to pay tuition fees with the exception of boarding families that cannot attend St. Stephen’s due to unresolvable government or immigration restrictions.
In the event that St. Stephen’s operates exclusively in the remote living and learning model, the School will refund fees for applicable auxiliary services not provided (dining fees, facility use fees, boarding fees, academy and theater focus fees) on a prorated basis. This calculation will be made twice during the academic year, once in early December and again in early May and student accounts will be credited accordingly.
If St. Stephen’s is providing a service, the school will not credit fees due to a family’s choice not to participate in that particular service. The delay of our on-campus program for day students until at least September 8 is already triggering a refund for the first two weeks of meal and facility use fees, as we are restricted by the Austin Public Health Authority from having in-person learning until after September 7, 2020.
All families are strongly encouraged to purchase tuition refund insurance. The insurance policy will cover 60% of the unused tuition assuming the student attends 14 consecutive calendar days of school. The family will be obligated for the balance (approximately 40% of the unused tuition). All terms and conditions of the tuition refund insurance program are governed by insurance policy documents covering this program and should be read in full by families purchasing this insurance.
Note for families that have purchased the tuition insurance coverage: If we open school in August in a remote living and learning model, our tuition insurance provider is requiring an additional charge for the tuition insurance premium. The school will cover the additional premium charge for the families that purchase the tuition refund plan.
At this time, there are additional expenses that the school is incurring based on our need to plan for multiple scenarios, our increased safety and health protocols, our decision to invest in stronger technology tools and platforms, and our decision to commit to extensive professional development on remote teaching and learning this summer. In an effort to offset these costs, the school will strive to achieve cost savings in multiple ways that will not diminish the student experience.
Please feel free to contact Lawrence Sampleton, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, at lsampleton@sstx.org with any questions or concerns on this policy.
Note for families that have purchased the tuition insurance coverage: If we open school in August in a remote living and learning model, our tuition insurance provider is requiring an additional charge for the tuition insurance premium. The school will cover the additional premium charge for the families that purchase the tuition refund plan.
At this time, there are additional expenses that the school is incurring based on our need to plan for multiple scenarios, our increased safety and health protocols, our decision to invest in stronger technology tools and platforms, and our decision to commit to extensive professional development on remote teaching and learning this summer. In an effort to offset these costs, the school will strive to achieve cost savings in multiple ways that will not diminish the student experience.
Please feel free to contact Lawrence Sampleton, Associate Head of School for Enrollment Management and Financial Aid, at lsampleton@sstx.org with any questions or concerns on this policy.
Address: 6500 St. Stephen's Dr., Austin, TX 78746
Phone: (512) 327-1213
Phone: (512) 327-1213