School Finances

Accessible, Affordable, and Exceptional

The Seven Sorrows Difference

At Seven Sorrows, we believe that education and Faith go hand-in hand.  We support our families and work toward providing an affordable tuition that allows your child to thrive in an environment of excellence and love.


We encourage every family to explore an education at Seven Sorrows BVM Catholic School.

Tuition Rates.

Catholic Discount.

To QUALIFY for our Catholic K5-8th gr. discount rate, all parents/legal guardians must be a registered parishioner within the Diocese of Harrisburg. 


To RECEIVE the Catholic discount, a signed and sealed Verification of Parishioner Status (VOP) form must be on file from your Pastor prior to your tuition plan being activated.

Simple Tuition Solutions (STS)

Seven Sorrows partners with Simple Tuition Solutions for all our payment plan needs.  We strive to maintain transparency as well as offer a variety of ways to meet your individual budgets.

  • Setting up a Payment Plan

    * Note:  Current families - your account will roll over exactly as you have it set up now.  If need be, you must edit before we activate for the new year, this includes banking information.


    New families: Once enrolled and you have an account/dashboard with STS, login to your account dashboard and locate the Payment & Billing box.


    Click your Payment & Billing box:

    • Choose a plan that matches your budget.
    • Pick a payment day for auto payments.
    • Enter your banking information.

    Notes & Tips:

    • Banking info is NOT visible to SSBVM.
    • Once activated we can adjust payment dates
    • 11-month plans, MUST be set up by mid-June.

  • Payment Plan Options

    All tuition must be paid-in-full by May 31st (the end of each academic year)


    Pay-in-Full Plan

    Payable by September 30th

    Receive a 5% discount


    Semi-Annual Plan

    August & February


    Quarterly Plan

    September, November, February & May


    11-Month Plan

    Must be set up before your 1st due date in July.

    Payments start July (1st, 15th or 30th)

    Stretches your payments out, lowering your monthly obligation.


    10-Month Plan

    Our standard fiscal year plan

    Payments August - May

    Payments are once a month


    Semi-Monthly

    August - May

    Payments are twice a month


    Weekly Plan

    August - May

    Payments are every week

    To avoid costly NSF fees please be sure this matches your budget.



  • NSF Fees - Don't get caught!

    The fees for Non-Sufficient Funds (NSF) can sneak up, costing you extra money. Don't get caught in the cycle!


    You're in control of your budget and your payment plan. Please keep yourself aware and informed.


    Entering a bank routing# in STS opens the door for these fees if you're not able to support your automatic tuition and incidental payments.


    Entering a credit card does not, because STS will know at that moment the payment has been rejected and they won't incur fees, which then must be passed onto you.


    How does it work?

    STS attempts 3 times to capture a payment.  If it goes through the first time, you do NOT incur any fee.


    For every payment kicked-back, you're charged $35 for each attempt, up to 3 attempts or $105.  After 3 attempts, their system moves to the next scheduled payment and the process starts over.


    Example: If you choose a Weekly Payment Plan, those fees will pile up rather quickly if for multiple weeks in a row you can't support the original payment(s).


    Once you ARE able to make a payment toward your tuition, these accumulated fees will be captured first, leaving you less or none at all for the tuition you are trying to catch up on.


    Being aware of your plan dates and open communication with us, is of vital importance.



  • Past Due Policies

    Seven Sorrows is devoted to our school and our families. We're invested in making tuition as affordable as possible by being stewards of the resources available to us, and prudent in collecting tuition so our whole school can flourish and thrive.  


    Because of this, polices are implemented for past due payments.


    TUITION:

    Families that reach a two-month past due status for tuition, will receive a letter from our Finance Team that full payment must be received in 2 weeks for your child to return to school.  


    This includes all NSF fees that were also incurred by STS.


    INCIDENTAL BILLING:

    Incidentals are due on the 20th of every month for the previous month's useage.  On the 25th of each month, if you're invoice has not been paid, you'll be required to pay the invoice in order to continue the use of that program.  This includes cafeteria lunches.  


    Incidental Billing

  • FAQ

    What is the code for Seven Sorrows so I can set up my tuition account and/or apply for financial aid?


    If STS is asking for a code, you’re in the wrong place. After the admissions process, and you’re moved into enrolled status, login to your STS account. Click Payment & Billing and/or Financial Aid box. Use Payment & Billing to choose and set up a payment plan.  Use Financial aid to fill out an application for financial aid.



    If school doesn’t start until the end of August, why am I paying tuition in July or August?  


    Seven Sorrows operates on a 10-month fiscal year, August-May.  To collect your tuition in-full, by the end of May, your first payment starts in August.  For those who wish to stretch their payments out longer, reducing your monthly obligation, you have the option of choosing an 11-month plan.  



    Am I obligated to pay the full tuition if we move or transfer out?


    You are not obligated to pay the full tuition for the year; however, you are obligated to pay the prorated amount for the time you child(ren) was in session, using our 10-month fiscal monthly prorate calculation.  Example:  If your child leaves mid-month, the entire month counts.


  • STS Chat Support

    Did you know that STS has a chat button available for your tech support questions?


    If logged into your STS dashboard, the button is also located in the bottom right corner.

    Start Chat

Incidental Billing.

How Does it Work?



  • What is Incidental Billing?

    Incidental Billings are supplemental invoices (separate from tuition) that we create once a month, through your Simple Tuition Solutions (STS), for your previous month's usage. 


    We utilize this feature for cafeteria, optional programs and your volunteer hours.


    Volunteer hours are only billed once a year, at the end of the year in May, and only if you have NOT logged your required criteria.



  • How does Incidental Billing it work?

    To use cafeteria as an example:


    The first week of every month, we collect a report on your previous month's usage.  We use this report to create an invoice in your STS account, called an Incidental Billing.


    This Incidenal Invoice will come due on the 20th of that month:


    September usage is due October 20th

    October usage is due November 20th

    etc.


    This process is repeated for all other optional programs.  


    TIP:  Be aware of your tuition due dates so you can be prepared. If you have any questions or concerns, please contact Lisa Fortunato.


    You will be notified ahead of time if we utilize this feature for any given sign-up.

    Contact Lisa

  • How do Volunteer Hours get charged?

    This is a one-time fee at the end of the year for only those who do not meet the volunteer hour criteria.


    Each family is asked to volunteer or complete alternate criteria, and log those hours onto our website.  


    On May 1st, we review a report and any family that has not met that obligation will be assessed a $200 volunteer fee, payable on May 20th as an incidental billing in your STS account.


    For families who did log all criteria, you will not be charged. 


    $200 is NOT deducted from your tuition for fulfilling your requirement.  You are charged if you don't meet that expectation.


    Log Hours

Financial Aid.

Because your child matters to us.

Your tuition is within reach.

Seven Sorrows seeks to make tuition as affordable as possible supporting your child's Catholic education. We work tirelessly throughout the year securing aid through our EITC program and other outside resources.


  • How do I apply?

    Once you move your way from Admissions to Enrollment Status, your STS dashboard  will now show a financial aid box.  


    Click on the box to access an application.  


    Once your application and all required forms have been uploaded, STS will review and verify your financial need to determine your eligibility for need-based financial aid.  

  • Reporting Income

    Do you live with your parents?


    Do you have older working children who live in your household?



    Learn More

  • When will we know?

    To be considered for Financial Aid:

    • Completed, verified and qualifying application on file in STS.
    • An payment plan that is ready to be activated in Simple Tuition Solutions (STS).
    • If Catholic, a current year, signed and sealed VOP form on file.

    We begin reviewing awards in June. This process continues throughout the summer into the new school year.


    With the number of families in the school, this process takes time and we strive to do our best, beginning with the 11-month plans first.  


    The 11-month budget plan, starts payments in July, stretching the monthly obligation out until May.  


    For awards from outside programs, we have no control over when you will hear from them.  We will let you know as we are informed.




  • TFEC PreK Scholarship Opportunity: Open June 15 - Aug 1, 2026

    The Foundation For Enhancing Communities (TFEC) will accept online scholarship applications for their TFEC Early Education Scholarship  from June 15 - August 1, 2026. 


    TFEC awards no more than 1 Early Education Scholarship per student.  A student awarded this scholarship for the PreK-3 year, is not eligible to receive the scholarship for his/her PreK-4 year.


    Directions:

    Click "Apply Now" and logon to your account (or create one if new) 


    Click "Apply" at the top left of the screen

    Scroll down to 2026 TFEC Early Education Scholarship


    Click "Start Eligibility Quiz" and follow online application instructions


    26-27 online applications will be accepted June 15 - August 1, 2026


    Please contact TFEC with any questions regarding this scholarship


    Apply Here

  • STS Chat Support

    Did you know that STS has a chat button available for your tech support questions?


    If logged into your STS dashboard, the button is located in the bottom right corner.

    Start Chat

Volunteer Hours

May 1st - April 30th

Save $200

Volunteering fosters stronger home-school relationships, boosts student confidence, and improves academic performance. It allows parents to model community engagement, support teachers, and gain insight into their child’s environment. 


Log Hours Diocesan Clearances

  • What are Volunteer Hours?

    Seven Sorrows requires (20) K5-8th gr. parent volunteer hours each academic year.  These hours must be logged onto our website.  


    Families not fulfilling this criteria, will be assesed a $200 fee - as an incidental billing - payable on May 20th.

  • What Qualifies as Hours?

    Sample of hours & additional criteria opportunities:  (You may choose one or the other, or a combination of both)


    HOURS:

    PTT events

    PTT in-person meetings

    PTT board member

    School Board member

    Theater assistance

    Coaching/volunteering @ CYO Basketball  

    CYO Track Events

    Organizing the uniform closet

    Attending a field trip. 

    Church Festival

    Vacation Bible School 

    Fish Fry 

    Gala 

    Cafeteria/Recess Assistance

    Live Nativity

    Landscape clean-up.

    Etc.


    ADDITIONAL CRITERIA OPPORTUNITIES:

    Sell 200 Chocolate Easter Eggs during our fundraiser.


    Donate $250 or more to our Heart of Mary Fund.


  • How does the fee work?

    Starting May 1st, through April 30th you may begin to accumulate hours by volunteering your time, or fulfilling our qualifying criteria.


    During the school year, Diocesan Clearances are needed for any work within the building or when you're directly working with children.


    Any event outside the building or not directly with children - do not need clearances.


    As you fulfill your obligation, you log those hours onto our website.  


    On May 1st, we view that list.  Those who met the criteria will NOT be charged $200.  


    Those who did not meet the criteria, will be assessed a $200 Incidental Invoice, payable from your STS account on May 20th.

  • Are Diocesan Clearances needed?

    Yes.  During the school year, Diocesan Clearances are needed for any work within the building or when you're directly working with children.


    No.  Any event outside the building or not directly with children - do not need clearances.

    Clearances

EITC Program

Education Improvement Tax Credit


Turning your tax dollars you already pay into financial aid for Seven Sorrows.  When you advantage of these tax credits, you put your tax dollars to work at our school - and you change the life of another family!  It's a win-win for all!


For questions, contact RedefinED; info@redefiningeducation.org or

814-419-5505


Intro to Program

  • Step 1. Sign the Pledge Form

    You can leverage 100% of your annual PA state income tax to participate inthe EITC program. Determine your PA tax liablility and fill out the pledge form today.  

    Pledge Form

  • Step 2. Submit your check

    Toward the fall, you will receive an approval notification from the scholarhip organization, stating that you are eligible for the 90% tax credit.  At that time, you will make your tax credit eligible donation to the scholarhip organization.


  • Step 3. Receive your Credit

    After you subit your tax credit eligible donation to the scholarship organization, they will send you a K-1 to file with your taxes.  A 90% credit will be applied to your PA state income taxes.

  • Example

    As a W2 income earner, your tax liablilty was $5,000.  You give a tax credit eligible donation of $5,000 to the Scholarship Organization.


    Your $5,000 contribution turns into $9,500!


    The school gets the entire $5,000 to use for scholarships for students and you get $4,500 back int he form of a state tax credit/refund.

Reduce your Tuition.

RAISERIGHT.COM

Raiseright is a fundraising program that allows you to purchase physical and online gift cards at face-value, earning rebates as you go!  75% of those rebates accumulate each month and are applied toward your next available tuition payment.  The more you buy the more you earn.


Cards can be purchased directly through the Raiseright app while you're standing in the checkout line.  Families and friends can join the program and earn on your behalf!

Learn More Get Started Physical Cards

Let’s talk about your finances.

My name is Lisa Fortunato and I have been a full-tme employee since 2009.



My two sons, Zach and Luke, attended school here at Seven Sorrows, and because they're 10 years apart, I was a parent paying tuition for 20 years!  



Not only do I understand the sacrifice you're making, but it's my hope to walk you through your financial committment, with both compassion for your own budget, as well as with the stewardship required for a fiscally healthy school for generations to come.


Lisa Fortunato

School Finance Administrator