Fees & levies
Families at Sacred Heart Yeppoon contribute to the cost of educating their child/children by the payment of school fees and school-based levies. The fees and levies payable are prescribed annually by the Diocesan Education Planning and Finance Committee.
Collection of school fees at Sacred Heart is carried out in accord with the Diocesan Enrolment Policy and School Fees Policy.
Collection of school fees at Sacred Heart is carried out in accord with the Diocesan Enrolment Policy and School Fees Policy.
DIOCESAN POLICY AND GUIDELINES FOR THE COLLECTION OF SCHOOL FEES
- The Finance Secretary must ensure that the school accounting system accurately reflects each family's current fee liability and any concessions granted. For the families who have arranged to pay weekly, fortnightly or monthly etc. a record of individual payment plans should be maintained.
- Where practicable, accounts should be sent out in the second week of every term requiring payment within 14 days.
- All payments with overdue accounts that have not contacted the school and do not have a payment plan should receive a copy of 'Urgent Notice – Overdue Account'.
- If no payment is received or contact made with the School within 14 days of sending the 'Urgent Notice – Overdue Account' letter, a follow-up phone call should be made by the finance secretary to ascertain whether the family have received the reminder notice and to inquire as to how the overdue account is to be finalised.
- If there is still no action to settle the overdue account the matter should be referred to the Principal who will consider any local knowledge and information from the Parish Priest, after which the 'Final Demand – Overdue Account' letter should be sent. This letter states that if the amount is not paid within 14 days, or if no immediate contact is made with the school, the matter will be handed over to the collection agency.
- If no response or reply is obtained following this second letter, 7 days after it is sent, the matter is to be referred to the Principal, who may then place responsibility for collection in the hands of the Diocesan Collection Agency, George Laurens.
- If necessary, the Director of Catholic Education may authorize legal action to recover any outstanding debt.
Families experiencing genuine financial difficulties may apply for a reduction in school fees payable. Any reduction given will be determined on a case-by-case basis, and in keeping with the family's current financial circumstances. Concessions given are for the current year only and will be negotiated annually with the school principal.
Concession Card.
Catholic Education introduced a new school fee discount to further support families in our schools. Parents/carers with an eligible means-tested Australian government health care or pensioner concession card will automatically receive a 70% discount on tuition fees (does not apply to school levies). This initiative is intended to assist those families who genuinely lack the financial capacity to pay tuition fees in full.