About TRIP
TRIP offers an easy way to save money on a private school education by accumulating tuition credit.
The KCSA TRIP buys bulk quantities of discounted gift cards from local and national merchants, and sells the cards to participating families at face value. The discount is passed on in the form of tuition credit.
How TRIP Works
Participants may direct their tuition credit to their personal account, the account of another family, to the general tuition assistance fund or to another Christian School outside of the Kalamazoo area.
Anyone is welcome to participate in TRIP regardless of enrollment in the school. Credit can also be divided up to assist more than one family. If you are transferring to a Christian School in another city, you may have your credits forwarded to your new school. Tuition credit can be continually accrued and applied to the first tuition payment(s); however, any account that sees no activity for one year will have any accrued balance donated to the Tuition Assistance Fund.
Anyone who will have their order sent home with their child or will have another person picking up their orders, or is picking up orders at 12th St, must complete the TRIP Waiver (registration) each year. Anyone picking up their own orders at the Association Office does not need to do this. TRIP credits will be credited to each account four times per year, but you may not accrue TRIP credits if you have an outstanding tuition balance to in your FACTS account.
Note that because TRIP cards are actual gift cards, they are to be treated as cash. If cards are lost or stolen, it is not possible to replace them. Please be aware of the risk involved sending cards home with students. Neither Kalamazoo Christian Schools nor the TRIP committee accepts responsibility for lost, stolen, or misplaced TRIP cards.
TRIP Orders
The Association Office keeps a limited supply of cards on hand all year long with no need to order ahead. The Association Office is located within the High School building…look for the entrance by the yellow fire hydrant! You can complete an order form, pay by cash or check, and then take the gift cards with you. (Hours: M-Th 8:00-4:00, Fr 8:00-3:30) Hours may change during summer or school holidays, but will be posted in advance.
During the school year, TRIP orders are filled each Wednesday. Orders must be turned in before 3:00 PM Tuesday afternoon to the Elementary School Office or Association Office or emailed to trip@kcsa.org. These orders are processed, then delivered by 2:00 PM Wednesday to the pick-up location selected on your TRIP Waiver Form. If you email your order, it can be picked up at the Association Office with your payment (cash or check).
TRIP Online: RaiseRight
TRIP Online ordering is available anytime. You can order physical cards or E-script through RaiseRight.
E-script can be printed or used virtually as stores allow.