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Financial Information For 2010/2011
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     The purpose of Bass Memorial Academy is to provide a Christian education to young people. Operation of a quality educational institution is expensive. The costs are financed by parent payments, Gulf States Conference subsidies, campus industry, stakeholder donations, and 
foundation grants.  In order to keep the tuition charges manageable, it is important that parent payment plans are fulfilled as contracted.  All of these entities work together to fulfill BMA’s mission. We are pleased to announce that BMA is now a Pathways Partner school. The Commonweal Foundation provides financial assistance to new students from families with income at or below 200% of the current poverty level.

 

Flat Rate Charges

The academy makes a flat-rate charge to allow more accurate planning.
Village (non-dormitory) Yearly Monthly
Tuition $7,900 $790
Entrance Fee 500
 
Total $8,400 $790
Dormitory  Yearly  Monthly
Tuition $7,900 $790
Room & Board 6,000 600
Entrance Fee 500  
Sub-total
$14,400 $1,390
Room & Key Deposit 50  
Total $14,450 $1,390

 












 
 
 
 
  
 
 
 














The monthly charge is broken down into ten (10)payments. The first charge of the monthly amount will be due on the day of registration. The following nine (9) payments will be charged on the first day of September to the first day of May. These charges will show on the previous monthly statement. For example, the September charge will show on the statement for August (as well as the August charge), December’s charge will appear on the November statement, etc.

Due at Registration
  Dormitory Village
Flat Rate #1 $1,390 $790
Entrance Fee 500 500
Room & Key Deposit 50 N/A
Total $1,940 $1,290

Textbooks
will be sold on a cash basis only. You must also be prepared to purchase any textbooks needed each semester with  cash or credit card. The student will not be able to purchase books without cash unless they have a credit balance. Textbooks will cost  approximately $200-400 per year.  

How Can I Afford It?
  • First, review the flat rate charges. Then, study the scholarship discounts, pre-payment incentives, financial aid, work opportunities and Pathways funding provided below.
  • Second, if you haven’t received a registration packet, call the school office and request one. Submit the registration material to the school, especially the financial section.
  • Third, the treasurer will contact you to develop a financial plan for your student.  
  • Fourth, make the commitment to provide you child with the Christian education he/she needs. God will bless.

Monthly Charges
  Dormitory Village
Flat Rate Charge $1,290 $740
Two or Three way credit -150 -75
Subtotal $1,140 $665
Student's work credit
(estimated for students over age 15)
-225* -225*
Subtotal $915 $440
Additional Financial Aid 150-500** -0-
Parent's Est. Monthly Payment $415-765 $440
*Based on proposed federal minimum wage of $7.25.  Subject to change based on federal and state laws.
**Upon Finance Committee approval

Scholarships
Academic
    Academic scholarships are available for new students who have received a composite score of  85% or higher on the previous year’s achievement test scores.  A score of  95-100% receives a total of $750, 90-94% receives $500, 85-89% receives $250. Achievement test scores must be made available before registration day. Scholarships will be distributed over the 10 billing periods.

Academy Days
    Special scholarships ranging from $50 – $500 are awarded at Academy Days. The entire scholarship amount will be applied to the amount owed on registration day. If a student leaves school before the close of the year, the unused prorated portion will be charged back to the student’s account.

Discounts
Family Discount
    Families with more than one student enrolled at Bass Memorial Academy must pay the full charge for one student. The second student from the same family will receive a 25% discount on tuition only.  The third student will receive a 50% discount on tuition only. This discount will be applied to each billing on a pro-rated basis.

New Student Discount
    First-time dorm students, who do not qualify for Pathways, will receive a $250 discount on the August statement. First-time village students, who do not qualify for Pathways, will receive a $125 discount.

Pre-payment discounts
    Payment of the entire year’s flat rate charges and entrance fee by registration day will qualify for a discount of 5%.   Payment of a semester’s flat rate charges and entrance fee in advance (by registration for first semester, Christmas break for second semester) will qualify for a discount of 2.5%. (If the student withdraws before completing the year or semester, the discount will be reversed.)

Financial Assistance Plans
Three-Way Plan*
    Parents or guardians that are members of the Gulf States Conference may apply for a three-way plan scholarship through their local church.  If the church contributes toward the students account, Gulf states conference and BMA will each match the contribution up to $500.  The maximum match for village students is $250.  The total contribution is credited to the student’s account equally over the ten billings (Dorm - $1500/10 = $150 / month.  Village - $750/10 = $75 / month).  The church’s portion should be received no later than registration. *If a student leaves school for any reason, the unused portion of the three-way plan will be returned to the sponsoring church. 
                                                  
Two-Way Plan*
    The two-way plan is for parents or guardians that are not members of the Gulf States Conference. They may apply for a two-way plan scholarship through their local church. In this case BMA will match the church’s contribution up to $750.  The total contribution is credited to the student’s account equally over the ten billings ($1500 / 10 = $150 / month). If a student leaves school for any reason, the unused portion of the church’s contribution will be returned to the sponsoring church. *Salaried Seventh-day Adventist employees are not eligible to receive two-way or three-way plan assistance.

Additional Financial Aid (For families with extenuating financial circumstances)
    Additional financial assistance may be obtained by filling out a request for financial assistance. This application must be complete and must have a copy of the applicant’s most recent income tax return page showing gross income attached to it. The Finance Committee will review the applications. Assistance will be granted according to a formula based upon a person’s need and the amount of funds that the academy has available. This is why any request for financial assistance should be received by May 1 when funds will first be distributed. When all funds are distributed there will be no more available except for a limited amount for new students making late applications.  Parents will be informed of the award granted by the Financial Aid Committee in May, so re-registration may be completed before students leave for summer vacation.   
Failure to keep an account current may result in the loss of future Financial Aid disbursement.

Pathways
Who is eligible to apply for a Pathways to Success Scholarship?
Students who:
  • Are new to the boarding school experience.
  • Are entering grades 9 through 12.
  • Show a need and a strong desire to change their school situations.
  • Have the potential to be successful in a regular or accelerated classroom setting.
  • Have a family income at or below 200% of the Federal Poverty  Level:  
               Family of 4    -   $44,100
               Family of 5    -   $51,580
               Family of 6+  -   $59,060
  • Sign a contract and agree to participate in work and community service projects.
After accepting a Pathways Scholarship, students agree to:
  • Remain in good standing academically and socially.  (Report cards are sent to the Pathways office)
  • Work to assist with school expenses.  (Students 14 and 15 years old must complete 380 hours per year; students 16 years and older, 680 hours.)

Summer Incentive
    Bass Memorial Academy will apply a credit of 5% per month of the credit balance on your statement at the end of May, June, and July (up to the maximum as indicated on the below schedule) to your down payment fee for the next school year.
    Payments during the summer for old and new students will receive the same credit bonus.  This credit balance bonus, or summer payment incentive bonus, will be applied to your account upon registration.
    If for any reason your child does not attend Bass Memorial Academy in the fall, you may request a full refund of your credit balance. This will be refunded to you within two weeks of your request; however, you will forfeit the credit bonus. If a student withdraws from school before completing the year, the credit bonus will be charged back on a prorated basis.
     Although an individual or family may make larger payments and have a greater credit balance at the end of each month, the schedule below indicates the maximum amount of credit that will be applied. The summer payment incentive credit cannot be granted in conjunction with other prepayment offers.

Dormitory Students
  May
June July Totals
Mth. ending credit
$500 $1,100 $1,600 $1,600
Cr. Bonus/Month 5.0% 5.0% 5.0%  
Max. Credit Bonus $25 $55 $80 $160


Village Students
  May June July Totals
Mth. ending credit $400 $800 $1,200 $1,200
Cr. Bonus/Month
5.0% 5.0% 5.0%  
Max. Credit Bonus $20 $40 $60 $120
Policies are subject to change with Finance Committee approval.

Work Opportunities
Summer Jobs
    Bass Memorial Academy offers a 7 week summer work program in the sorting industry or blueberry packing house (must be 16 years or older).  Students are able to stay in the dorms and meals are provided.  The student will receive a 25% bonus at the end of the program based on performance to apply to the next year's tuition.  The Magabook program (literature sales) recruits students for their summer program.  Students receive valuable training and experience tremendous spiritual growth.  Bass Memorial Academy gives a 25% bonus based on commissions submitted to the academy.  Camp Alamisco also hires a few students.  Students employed at the camp receive the same incentive bonus. 

Work Program
    Students must be at least fourteen years old before starting work at the academy and must be 16 years old or older to work more than three hours per school day.  All students must work a minimum of 12 hours per week, but many jobs will require more hours.  Students who receive student aid are required to work 3-4 hours per day depending on age and job description. 
    Students working on-campus that are under 16 should earn about $300 per month, while those 16 or over should earn about $350.  Students working off-campus jobs should earn between  $350 - $450. 
    Students working at an off-campus industry have the opportunity to receive 10% of their earnings in cash.  This is conditional on the student’s account being current.  The money is transferred to the student’s school bank account and may be withdrawn at any time. 


Entrance Fee
The entrance fee of $500 includes charges for the following:
Special Events Library Fees
Student Accident Insurance Nutcracker
Student Association Pecan Shadows
Computer Lab Fees Boys/Girls Club
Laundry (dormitory students) Class Dues

Should a student leave BMA, $100 will be retained to cover registration and administration costs. No entrance fees will be refunded after 30 days.
    Second semester registrants will be charged an adjusted entrance fee of $300.

Late Entrance
    If a student registers more than one week late for either semester, an adjustment of $100 will be given on room and board for each full week missed after the first week.

Other Fees/Expenses

The following charges are not included in the flat rate charge or entrance fees:

Application Fee                                      
    The application fee is $25 (A one-time fee) / $200 International Students.

Band Instrument Rental                         
    Band instruments may be rented for $25 per semester.

Cafeteria
    People other than dorm students who eat in the cafeteria must purchase their meals.  The charge is $3.00 for children 3-12, $6.00 for adults, children under 3 eat free.  Meal tickets may be purchased at the business office.  A 10% discount is given if 10 meals are purchased.

Graduation Fee                           
    The graduation fee is $75. This fee covers cost of cap and gown rental, diploma, and one transcript.  This will be billed on the January statement.

Homeleave Transportation Fees

    Bass Memorial Academy provides bus transportation to Slidell, LA, Mobile, AL and Pensacola, FL. The second bus run is to Jackson, Meridian, and Birmingham, AL. Fees will be assessed based on current fuel prices.
    Shuttle service to airports that do not coordinate with the scheduled bus routes will be assessed the appropriate additional fees.

Medical fees
    Parents/guardians are responsible for payment of medical expenses such as prescriptions, medical transportation and doctor’s fees.  Medical transportation will be charged at the following rates:
  • Purvis - $2.50
  • Lumberton - $5.00
  • Hattiesburg - $12.50

Music and Other Supplies
    Music students will need to purchase incidentals such as reeds, practice books, uniforms, etc.

Private Music Lessons                       
    Thirteen private lessons per semester costs $175 with an additional $25 charge for instrument rental or use.

Rooming Alone   
    All students are expected to have a roommate. Those who do not receive additional financial aid may room alone for $75 extra per month if space allows. This pays for the increased energy usage. Priority will be based on number of years at BMA.

Room and Key Deposit
    A $50 room and key deposit will be charged to each dormitory student. This will be returned at the time the room is vacated and properly checked out by the dean and the key returned. A room check sheet will be completed at the time of entering or vacating any room. If the original key issued to the student is lost or damaged, there is a $25 charge to re-key the lock and replace the key. 

Financial Policies/Services

Cash Withdrawals
    Cash withdrawals are limited to funds deposited in the student bank accounts.  Students are not permitted to withdraw cash and charge it to their student account.
    
Collection
        Bass Memorial Academy operates under the conviction that payment of its billings should be assigned a priority just as high as other family bills.
    Enrollment each year is dependent upon students having a zero balance.
Accounts at previously attended SDA schools must be paid in full or an acceptable plan approved by that school sent to BMA.

    Students will not be allowed to take semester exams until their accounts are current and all fines and fees are paid, or satisfactory arrangements have been made with the school administration. 

Credit Balances
    When a credit balance occurs at the end of a school year, there will be a total refund issued unless the student received financial aid.  If a student has received financial aid, the proportionate amount of financial aid received during their last year will be refunded to the financial aid fund and the remainder refunded to the financial sponsor.

Diplomas/Transcripts

    Diplomas will not be released or issued until after the final statement is prepared and the account has been paid in full. 
     One transcript will be issued upon request at no charge after attendance at Bass Memorial Academy.  A $5 fee must be paid in advance for each additional transcript.  Transcripts will not be issued until the student’s account is paid in full.  All transcript requests MUST be in writing to the registrar’s attention.

Insurance
    Workman’s Compensation Insurance covers accidents occurring while a student is employed by the academy.  It is the student’s responsibility to file a claim at the employing industry within 24 hours of the accident.  Students injured other than during employment are covered by Student Accident Insurance, which is paid for in the entrance fee.  Coverage and benefits are outlined in information given to each parent/guardian. Failure to report the accident to the business office within 24 hours may jeopardize this coverage.

Student Bank
    The business office operates a student bank where students are encouraged to keep any cash kept on campus.  Withdrawals can be made during business office hours.

Tithe
    Students are encouraged to pay tithe on all of their earnings.  Students may request that the business office take tithe out of their earnings each month.

Withdrawal From BMA

    The flat rate charge will be pro-rated as of the date of withdrawal from BMA. Any financial aid will be pro-rated as of the date of withdrawal.
    The unused portion of the matching funds contributed by the sponsoring church will be returned to that church within 30 days of the student’s withdrawal.

6433 US Highway 11 Lumberton, MS 39455 • (601-794-8561)
(Fax 601-794-8881)


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