Frequently Asked Questions

So, what exactly is scrip?

Scrip is a term that means “substitute money”. When you purchase scrip, you’re purchasing negotiable gift certificates and prepaid cards that are used just like cash. You can use scrip to purchase everyday expenses like food, clothing, and other essentials, and with every purchase, you earn revenue for your designated Co-op department or classroom.

How does scrip generate revenue for WCSEC?

The Great Lakes Scrip Center acts on behalf of churches, schools and other non-profit organizations to purchase large amounts of scrip from national grocery stores, department stores, and other retailers. Because the scrip is purchased with cash up front, the participating retailers offer a substantial discount. WCSEC buys the scrip from Great Lakes Scrip Center at a discount, and re-sells the certificates to families like yours for full face value. The discount – from 1.5 to fifteen percent or more – is our organization’s revenue. Likewise, many area local merchants generously participate in our program by giving the Co-op a discount up front, immensely expanding the popularity of the program.

So it doesn’t cost me extra, like traditional fundraisers?

No! All the scrip you purchase has full value. When you pay $100 for a Woodman’s debit card, it is worth $100. However, the Co-op pre-purchased the Woodman’s debit card for $95, earning a profit of $5. If you do not spend the entire $100 when you shop at Woodman’s, the card retains the remaining balance until your next trip. Scrip is a popular fundraiser because families don’t have to sell anything. Families produce revenue by making regular household purchases they would make anyway. Groceries, clothing, toys, gifts; even gasoline can be purchased with scrip.

How does WCSEC use the funds?

You are encouraged to designate a specific Co-op department or classroom you would like your proceeds to benefit. This is done by checking the appropriate box at the bottom of the order form, including the teacher’s name, if applicable. The entire percent profit that the Co-op earns is credited to that department or special education classroom. WCSEC staff can use their accumulated profits to purchase items that will then benefit students serviced by WCSEC.

What WCSEC departments and classrooms are eligible to receive the funds?

The following is a list of current departments and classrooms that participate in the WCSEC scrip program:

DEPARTMENTS

Physical Therapy (PT)
Occupational Therapy (OT)
Physically Handicapped Itinerant (PH)
Speech/ Language (S/L)
Social Work (S/W)
Psychology (PSYCH)
Vision Itinerant (VI)
Hearing Impaired (HI)
Secondary Transitional Experience Program (STEP)

CLASSROOMS

Early Childhood (EC)
Educational Skills Management (ESM)
Instructional Program (IP)

What if I do not specify a specific department or classroom?

If a specific box is not checked on the order fund, the credit is placed in a general fund. To date, the general fund allows us to pre-purchase scrip to have on hand for customers.

OK, I’m ready. How do I purchase scrip?

It’s simple! First, print out an order form. It’s a two-sided form that includes many of the national and local merchants, including the denominations the certificates are sold in and the percent profit that WCSEC receives. There is simply not enough room to list every merchant on this form, so be sure to browse the list of all participating vendors at your leisure, including both the local merchants and Great Lakes Scrip Center merchants. Feel free to write in a merchant if it is not pre-typed on the order form in the space provided on the back. Complete the order form, being sure to include your name, phone number, school, and child’s name (if applicable). This helps us know where to send the completed order. Completed order forms can be sent to school with your child in an envelope labeled “SCRIP – WCSEC”. Orders can be sent to school anytime during the week. Orders are placed on Friday afternoons, and will be sent home the following week, usually with your child, unless you would like to make special arrangements. This can be done by contacting Cheryl Tillery. You can also mail your completed order form directly to WCSEC.

Do you have any scrip available and on-hand right now?

Yes, there is a limited inventory of scrip available for immediate purchase. Please contact us to learn what is available for immediate purchase and to make arrangements for pick-up.

Can I use scrip to pay department store charge account balances?

Currently, you can pay your Kohl’s or JCPenney’s account balances using Kohl’s cards and JCPenney’s cards. Generally speaking, most other cards cannot be used to pay on account balances. You are welcome to search the online list of participating retailers for specific information on which retailers do and do not accept scrip for charge account balances.

What if I can’t afford to spend hundreds of dollars on scrip at a time?

Scrip certificates are available in varying denominations – from $2, $5 or $10, up to $500, depending on the merchant. Buy as much or as little as you like. Remember, this is money you are already spending on groceries, video rentals, books, meals out, etc! We are not asking you to spend money outside of your family budget, but simply to plan ahead enough to allow you to route some of those dollars through WCSEC’s scrip program.

Can my friends and family buy scrip?

ABSOLUTELY! The certificates you receive are the same gift certificates you would buy if you went to the participating retailer and purchased them yourself. They are accepted at all participating retailer locations. The beauty of scrip is that you can buy scrip to use for everyday purchases, as well as take advantage of the gift-giving potential of scrip! Gift certificates/cards make terrific gifts for birthdays, holidays, teacher appreciation, weddings, baby showers and more.

So what’s stopping you?

Good question. You’ll have to answer that one yourself. Or better yet, if you have specific questions, feel free to contact us!