Cazenovia Children's House, Inc./My School

Scholarship Assistance Program

POLICY:

The Cazenovia Children's House Scholarship Program was established to provide financial assistance  to families with difficulties meeting tuition obligations.  The goal of the Scholarship Program is to make CCH services affordable to families based on their documented needs. 

The CCH Scholarship program may offer tuition assistance with 'on-going' assistance and/or 'one-time only assistance. 'On going' assistance is for families who need reduced weekly tuition over a specific period of time. 'One time only' assistance  is for families who require immediate assistance due to unforeseen circumstances.  The maximum possible subsidy for 'on-going' assistance will not exceed 50% of current weekly tuition.  Maximum possible subsidy for 'one time only' assistance will not exceed $500.  The amount of assistance will, however, be dependant on funds available. 

ELIGIBILITY:

1.) Any family who has a child enrolled or who has applied for admission to CCH is eligible to apply for tuition assistance.

2.) Families receiving 'on-going' tuition assistance must reapply each quarter.  This does not apply to families receiving DSS subsidy.  The Scholarship Committee of the Board of Directors reviews applications in June, September, December and February. 

3.) Additional applications may be reviewed at any time  during the year to address emergency situations, or unexpected circumstances. 

TERMS OF ASSISTANCE:

1.) Tuition Assistance is granted for a maximum of three months, renewable quarterly.  The first quarter begins on July 1st.

2.) Tuition assistance may be approved for full-time and part-time families in the day care and/or nursery school program.

3.) All tuition assistance awards will be made in the form of tuition reduction. 

4.) Application enrollment fees, late payment fees, late pick up fees, and all other miscellaneous fees must be paid by the family and are not included in the tuition assistance. 

SCHOLARSHIP REVIEW COMMITTEE:

The Scholarship committee is established by the Board of Directors and is composed of three to five Board Members and the Program Director.

INCOME ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES:

The chart below is a 'guide' used in determining eligibility for families for tuition assistance.  It is meant as a guide, and is not the only factor taken under consideration.

APPLICATION PROCEDURES:

1.) Before a CCH scholarship application will be considered, an application must first be made to DSS/OCFS in the county of residence. 

2.) Any eligible family may apply for tuition assistance by submitting a completed application with supporting documentation to the CCH office or mailing the information to: Scholarship Committee, Cazenovia Children's House, Inc., 2757 Route 20 East, Cazenovia, NY 13035

3.) All information provided will be kept strictly confidential, unless otherwise required by law.  Applications will be coded for the committee; the applicants' names. pay stubs, and income tax returns will be provided only to the Program Director. 

4.) The following information and documentation are required: 

• a completed and signed application
• pay stubs from last four pay periods for ALL wage earners in the household
• a copy of the previous years income tax return
• a written description and explanation of any family circumstances that should be considered  (i.e. death or injury to family member, unusual medical expenses, etc.)

5.) For full and part time college students, the following additional information is required:

• a signed and completed copy of your FAFSA
• a copy of the application to DSS/Office of Child and Family Services, with an acceptance or denial letter
• a letter from the institution the student attends verifying maximum student loan eligibility
• proof the student has applied for College Work Study (if the student does not have part-time employment outside of the institution).

REVIEW PROCEDURES:

1.)The CCH Scholarship Committee shall (meet quarterly to) review all completed applications for tuition assistance quarterly.  The review months for 'on-going' assistance are: June, September, December and February. (Applications must be received by the 15th of the review month preceding the quarter for which assistance is sought.). 'One-time only' assistance applications are reviewed on an as-needed basis.

2.) Tuition assistance criteria shall include, but not be limited to:

• Family Income (see chart above)
• Discretionary Income
• Family Size (minor and adult dependants)
• Family Expenses
• Priority need among applicants
• Amount of tuition assistance money available

3.) If determined necessary by the Scholarship Committee, the committee may interview the applicant and/or request additional information, verification of information, or clarification of information.

4.) Applicants that have been declined may submit a written request for reconsideration at the next scheduled review.

5.) Updated information must be submitted when changes in circumstances so warrant. 

6.) Applicants will be notified of all decisions in writing by the Program Director. 

TERMINATION OF TUITION ASSISTANCE:

Tuition assistance may be terminated for any of the following reasons:

• Withdrawal or dismissal of the child from CCH for any reason
• Changes in family circumstances
• Significant decrease in CCH Scholarship funds available

The CCH Scholarship Committee will not discriminate based on race, color, national origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, or marital/familial status.

Please contact the Program Director, Sue Ryan at cch_sryan@alltel.net for more information or any questions you may have. You may pick up applications at our main facility on Route 20.