Fees

Link to the Current Fee Schedule -----> 2010-2011 Fee Schedule (will open in a new window - Adobe Acrobat Reader required) - Last updated 05/27/210

Link to Ways to Pay Fees -----> Pay Fees

Can you provide financial assistance to others? Please make check payable to the Fort Mill District Band Booster Club, Inc. (FMDBBC) and mail to address noted above. Please note "School Name & Scholarship Fund" on check.

Want to donate your points to the scholarship fund? Send an email to Kathy Krieger informing her of your intentions.

What Do Band Fees Pay For?

Please come to your respective high school band booster club meetings on the last Monday of each month at 7:30 PM in the band room of your high school. These meetings will keep you informed and up to date; also, check our web site at www.fortmillbands.com, www.fortmillband.com or www.nationfordband.com.

Q. What do the booster club fund raising projects pay for?

A. Fundraisers allow the band to function at a competitive level. The funds are divided to reduce the pupil needs, approximately $500-$800 per student per year, as well as allow each student the opportunity to raise funds to pay individual expenses.

Q. What does the Fall Marching fee cover?

A. This covers many expenses to get the marching season up and running, the cost of feeding the students during camp and at all day practices. It is also used to purchase music, have custom arrangements written, publishing rights, marching drill, specialty instruction, medical supplies, and other expenses incurred to put the marching band on the field, uniform dry cleaning, maintenance of the uniforms between cleaning which includes replacement of zippers, shako parts, plumes, lots of “Shout” spot remover, replacement of lost items, etc. Lastly, it also includes transportation to the events, the food served at competitions, expenses to get the trailer to and from competitions, registration fees, and other miscellaneous expenses for travel to and from local competitions.

Q. What does my instrument fee pay for?

A. Maintenance of that instrument. The cost to repair the instruments and replace broken parts usually exceeds the rental fee. It would be very difficult for each student to be responsible for maintenance of a school instrument and the cost may overwhelm many parents. Regardless of where a student used one school instrument or several school instruments throughout the year, only one fee is collected. For students using their own personal instruments, no fee is charged and maintenance of their instrument is their responsibility.

Q. My student is in percussion and cannot bring their instrument home. Why do I still have to pay an instrument fee?

A. Same as above; maintenance. The expenses for percussion parts have exceeded the funds collected for instrument fees every year.

Q. I heard Carolina Crown gives percussion all of their instruments free, so why do we have an instrument fee?

A. We are blessed with the use of old Carolina Crown instruments, but nothing is free. We must maintain the instruments and replace parts, etc. – see above.

Q. Why do BOA (Bands of America) trips cost more?

A. BOA trips usually requires an overnight stay due to the location of the event like Atlanta, Georgia or Indianapolis, Indiana. The fee includes transportation to the events, the food served at competitions, expenses to get the trailer to and from competitions, registration fees, and other miscellaneous expenses for travel (hotels, etc.) and the competition.

Q. What do I do if I just cannot afford these fees?

A. The booster club provides many ways for families to participate in fundraising activities that not only drives the family cost to a minimum to participate in the band program but allows families to earn student credit points that can be used to pay certain band fees. If you find yourself in a difficult financial situation, please contact your band director and a payment schedule may be worked out that works for you and the band program.

Student Credit Accounts (Points)

The following is a brief explanation of the point system and Student Credit Accounts:

The Student Credit Account system was established to provide individual members and parents some financial relief with regard to band fees and charges. A percentage of the profits earned through some fundraiser events are allocated to the individual student for his/her use to assist with paying certain band fees through the established point system.
For on-going fundraising activities (Verizon, Knights Stadium, etc.), each hour of volunteer service will generate one (1) student credit point. When an entire hour is not worked, ¼ point will be earned for each 15 minutes worked. Fractions will be rounded to the nearest 15 minutes (20 minutes rounds to 15, 25 minutes rounds to 30, etc.).
For one-time fundraising activities (fruit sale, BBQ, golf tournament etc.), each box of fruit, ticket or sponsor sold will generate student credit points. The number of points earned per item sold will be determined and announced prior to the event by the Committee Chairperson or Vice-President.
Earned points will be deposited into Student Credit Accounts. Band students may request withdrawal of points to pay for required band fees. Points may not be used to purchase goods from the band store, vendors outside the Band Club or items for personal use (uniform accessories, fall guard accessories, etc.). Student credit points may not be used by anyone other than a band student. Account status reports are mailed to students each month as part of their statements. Any questions about a student’s account should be directed to the Executive Secretary.
Student credit points may be carried over year-to-year by the same student. If a student is graduating or leaving the band program, his/her account will remain active if a sibling is in the band program. Student credit points may be transferred to another student at any time by notifying the Executive Secretary (email, letter, etc.). Seniors must request point transfers no later than one month prior to graduation. If a student graduating or leaving the band program has not requested a transfer of points, all points remaining in her/his account will automatically be transferred to the Hardship Account.
Students must pay required band fees (fall fees, band camp fees, uniform fees, accessories, instrument fees, BOA, etc.) before points or money will be accepted for non-mandatory band trips. Any accumulated student credit points will automatically be used to pay for any required band fee that is not paid by the due date. Students not paying required band fees by established deadlines may be ineligible to participate in any non-mandatory trips or events.

There are several ways to pay your band fees -

Leverage student credit points earned while supporting fundraising events
Cash, check or money order
PayPal which can leverage an existing PayPal account or, if you don't have a PayPal account, a credit card, etc.

Paying by cash, check, money order or points

Payments can be mailed to the Fort Mill District Band Booster Club, P.O. Box 611, Fort Mill, SC 29716 or dropped off in the mailbox just inside the band director's office. Please remember when making payments, write your child’s name, school and what the payment is for on the check and/or envelop since the finances for the 2 high school and 3 middle school band programs are handled by the booster club. Payments should ONLY be placed in the US mail or in the mailbox in each of the director’s office. DO NOT GIVE MONEY TO ANYONE ELSE!!!

Paying with PayPal

We now offer PayPal as another way to pay your student's band fees which allows parents to pay via an existing PayPal account or, if you don't have a PayPal account, any major credit card. The booster club is a PayPal verified organization. To pay with PayPal, please visit the band’s website and choose the “Pay Fees” button on the left side of the page for instructions.

Please contact Kathy Krieger, Executive Secretary, if you have questions about your monthly statements or outstanding amount due and/or payments. All other questions should be directed to the band director and/or booster club presidents.

All other questions should be directed to the band director and/or booster club presidents.