SAS fee- do u pay by yourself?

[SAS fee]

Do you pay SAS school fee from your own pocket?

[Expat Package]

We're lucky, we still have one and the firm covers school fees.

[Tropical Fish]

 About 40% of SAS families pay the fee from their own packet.

[sounds high]

About 40% of SAS families pay the fee from their own packet.

That sounds high to me -- where are you getting your info?

[difficult to calculate]

We were told by UWC a few years ago that 50% of parents paid their own fees. However, when I have spoken to friends of mine, although many pay their own fees, for some, the company gives them a salary enhancement to cover the cost. So it's not really the same as paying their own fees although if asked, they would say they do, as they write the cheque out.

[meixin]

Does SAS still charge its hefty registration fee? I wonder why they practice such a fee structure which is not very expat friendly.

[sounds high]

We were told by UWC a few years ago that 50% of parents paid their own fees. However, when I have spoken to friends of mine, although many pay their own fees, for some, the company gives them a salary enhancement to cover the cost. So it's not really the same as paying their own fees although if asked, they would say they do, as they write the cheque out.

Yes, I guess that was basically my point. Just about anyone on what is considered 'local' terms will have made sure the salary is high enough to cover international school fees. And don't forget that Americans who get school fees paid for by the company still have to pay taxes on them given company paid school fees and housing are considered taxable income.

[Yeah But]

We were told by UWC a few years ago that 50% of parents paid their own fees. However, when I have spoken to friends of mine, although many pay their own fees, for some, the company gives them a salary enhancement to cover the cost. So it's not really the same as paying their own fees although if asked, they would say they do, as they write the cheque out.

Yes, I guess that was basically my point. Just about anyone on what is considered 'local' terms will have made sure the salary is high enough to cover international school fees. And don't forget that Americans who get school fees paid for by the company still have to pay taxes on them given company paid school fees and housing are considered taxable income.

Companies very often cover the extra tax costs for these "benefits" - it's all part of the equalization package for us.

[Tropical Fish]

About 40% of SAS families pay the fee from their own packet.

That sounds high to me -- where are you getting your info?

From here
http://www.sas.edu.sg/board/pdf/20100308_AdditionalBudgetFAQ.pdf

Answer to Q21   

[Tropical Fish]

Does SAS still charge its hefty registration fee? I wonder why they practice such a fee structure which is not very expat friendly.

Yes, and "luckily" the registration fee is still the same as last year.

http://www.sas.edu.sg/admissions/pdf/pdf_2_FeeSchedule_Only.pdf

Oh, almost forgot that starting next school year, all fees are billed and payable for the full year in advance.  

[parentoftwo]

I wish SAS would remove the registration fee and just added higher tuition fee. This way expats like us who are here for just 2 years could afford to put our kids in American school system.

[They Get U Every Time]

Other schools add in extra charges. At Tanglin we pay a "building fund", which is inserted into the fee bill for every student. Considering that a lot of families are only in Singapore for a few years, why would they give a hoot about paying into a "building fund"? I suppose it is an accounting tool.

[scarbowl]

Other schools add in extra charges. At Tanglin we pay a "building fund", which is inserted into the fee bill for every student. Considering that a lot of families are only in Singapore for a few years, why would they give a hoot about paying into a "building fund"? I suppose it is an accounting tool.

Well....someone paid for the building you use so you help pay for the building for the next bloke.  Makes sense to me.