About Tuition CAPS
What are Tuition CAPS?
A Tuition CAPS is the maximum amount that you will be required to pay for your child's Jewish day school tuition based on your gross household income and number of children attending a qualifying Jewish day school.
*Please note that the Tuition CAPS does not cover additional costs associated with your child's education, including but not limited to: building fund fees, home and school association fees, lunch programs, parent association fees, security funds, registration and processing fees.
How long does it last?
This Tuition CAPS will be applicable each year for the remainder of your child's education at that school (from Kindergarten to Grade 6 and from Secondary I to Secondary V) The tuition CAPS may be adjusted from year to year.
Note: The program is subject to change
How do I find out the value of my Tuition CAPS?
The anonymous Eligibility Calculator will provide an instant preliminary result letting you know the value of your Tuition CAPS. If the Eligibility Calculator indicates that you may be eligible, you will be prompted to complete the Application Form. After completing the Application Form, you will receive a notification by email indicating the amount of your Tuition CAPS. Final eligibility and the value of your Tuition CAPS will be determined, pending confirmation of your children's enrollment at a qualifying Jewish day school and income on your filed Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment.
Is my Tuition CAPS transferable?
No. Your Tuition CAPS is not transferable to another family.
Is my Tuition CAPS taxable?
It is our understanding that the Tuition CAPS is not a taxable benefit. However, all users are recommended to obtain independent tax advice.
How will my Tuition CAPS be decided?
Your Tuition CAPS is decided based on a simple calculation of your gross household income and the number of children enrolled in a qualifying Jewish day school.
Eligibility
Is my child eligible to benefit from a Subsidy and Tuition CAPS?
We encourage you to use the Eligibility Calculator to find out if your family is eligible to benefit from the CAPS program. Eligibility is based on whether you fit within the income criteria and your child is attending an eligible school.
If my child received a Tuition CAPS last year, are they guaranteed a Tuition CAPS for the 2024-2025 school year?
Please refer to the anonymous Eligibility Calculator to check eligibility.
Note: The program is subject to change from year to year.
If I enroll my child in a different Jewish day school, will I still be eligible to receive the Tuition CAPS?
Yes. Provided that you continue to enroll your child in one of the qualifying Jewish day schools and you meet the financial eligibility criteria, you will still be eligible to receive the Tuition CAPS.
Do I have to send my child to one of the qualifying Jewish day schools?
Yes! The program is open to all families enrolled or formally registered in one of the qualifying schools. Returning and new applicants must be enrolled at their school of choice by August 31, 2024 to be eligible for the CAPS program.
What happens if I have multiple children attending different Jewish day schools with different tuition costs?
If you are deemed eligible for the CAPS program, all of your children attending a qualifying Jewish day school will benefit from the same Tuition CAPS. If your school's tuition is lower than the amount of the Tuition CAPS, it would be preferable for you to pay the full tuition.
What are the income criteria for eligibility?
The income criteria entails a simple calculation of your gross household income as reported on your most recent Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment.
*Note: Final confirmation of your acceptance into the CAPS program will be based on your 2022 Notice of Assessment.
How do I compute my gross household income?
Total gross income for each parent is listed on line 199 of your respective Revenu Quebec Notices of Assessment. On the Calculator and Application Form, please ensure you enter the correct value for both parents/guardians.
Once your application is accepted, you will be asked to send in a copy of the 2022 Notices of Assessment for both parents immediately.
Note: Acceptance into the CAPS program is dependent upon receipt of a copy of your filed 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment.
My ex-spouse and I are divorced. How do I compute the gross household income for our child's application?
If only one parent bears responsibility (by court order or agreement) for the child's education, only that parent's income should be included. However, if both parents share responsibility for your child's education expenses, the income of both parents' households should be combined when completing the Eligibility Calculator and Application Form. If one of the responsible parents is unwilling to provide financial information, the applying parent will have the opportunity to include an explanation with the application explaining the circumstances. The single parent's income must meet our income criteria to be eligible for the CAPS program.
What does it mean if the Eligibility Calculator says I am eligible?
If the Eligibility Calculator says you that you may be eligible for the CAPS program, it means that based on the information you provided, you could be eligible for a Tuition CAPS. The calculator's eligibility does not guarantee that you will be accepted into the CAPS program. In order for your application to be considered, you must fill out the online Application Form. Your application will then be assessed according to your verified income, as stated on your 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment and number of children enrolled in one of the qualifying Jewish day schools.
What does it mean if the calculator says I am not eligible?
The Eligibility Calculator will inform you that you are not eligible for the CAPS program if your gross household income does not fall within this program's criteria, depending upon the number of children in the family attending a qualifying Jewish day school. As well, you may not be eligible if you already receive Tuition Assistance Allocation (TAA) and/or other financial supports from your school.
What is the recourse if the calculator says I am not eligible?
If you are deemed not eligible there may be other financial assistance available to you. We encourage you to speak with a financial assistance representative at any day school you are considering. You may also want to visit Hebrew Free Loans at www.hflamtl.org to see if they have an option to suit your needs.
Application procedure and deadlines
The Eligibility Calculator says that I am eligible. What do I need to do now to confirm my eligibility?
If the Eligibility Calculator says you may be eligible for the CAPS program, you will be prompted to complete the online Application Form. All applicants, returning and new, must complete the Application Form in order to be deemed eligible for the CAPS program. Please be sure to carefully review our Tuition CAPS page that outlines the actions required to apply for the CAPS program.
Are there important deadlines to keep in mind?
Yes!
Registration opens in October 2023 Calculator and Application available online.
April 1st, 2024 at noon is the deadline to apply.
What if I don't have my 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment by April 1st, 2024?
Your family's eligibility is dependent on the 2022 Revenu Quebec Notices of Assessment for both parents and your Tuition CAPS will not be confirmed with your school(s) until we receive the required documents. We highly encourage every eligible family to file their taxes early in order to not delay their acceptance in our program.
When will I know if my family is eligible to receive a Tuition CAPS?
Once your application is submitted, you will receive an e-mail confirming your Tuition CAPS for the 2024-2025 academic year.
You will be asked to submit your 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment immediately. Upon confirmation of your income as stated on your 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment and enrolment of your child at a qualifying Jewish day school, your Tuition CAPS will be confirmed with your school in which your child is enrolled.
What if my current year income is lower/higher than my income on the previous year’s Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment?
If you expect your income to be lower/higher on your 2022 Notice of Assessment than the income on your 2021 Notice of Assessment, please enter the income you expect to receive in 2022 in your application. Our final assessment will be based on your 2022 Revenu Quebec Notice of Assessment.
Tuition Assistance Allocation (TAA) and Other Financial Assistance
Can I benefit from Tuition Assistance Allocation (TAA) or other financial assistance from my day school in addition to the CAPS Program?
No. However, you must choose between accepting financial assistance from the school and using a Tuition CAPS. For more information on financial assistance at particular day schools, please visit individual school websites, found on the Participating Schools page.
What if I haven't found out if I am eligible for Tuition Assistance?
We are working with the eligible day schools to provide this information to you within this program's timeframe. However, most schools will not be able to inform all families of their financial assistance determinations before the end of the CAPS program application deadline. Families are allowed to apply to both programs but will need to choose between the CAPS program and Tuition Assistance from the school, if accepted to both programs. These options should be discussed with your school administrator.
What is considered as "financial assistance" from my day school?
All types of financial assistance provided by the school, both needs-based and non-needs based are considered financial assistance.
Can I benefit from financial assistance outside of my day school?
Yes. You may benefit from financial assistance outside of your school. You may also want to visit Hebrew Free Loans at www.hflamtl.org to see if they have an option to suit your needs.
Returning & re-applying Families
How do I obtain a Tuition CAP? I applied last year and was eligible/ not eligible to receive a Tuition CAP?
In order to receive your Tuition CAPS you must fill out the online Application Form. For more information on how to apply, please visit our Tuition CAPS page.
Will my current student's sibling(s) also qualify for a Tuition CAPS in future years?
Likely, however if you qualify now for a Tuition CAPS for your first child, when your next child enrolls in Jewish day school you will need to specify this new information on the application form.
What will happen when my child graduates out of the school?
Every year, you will need to re-apply and submit supporting documentation to renew your CAPS eligibility. If your family situation changes (child graduates or leaves Jewish day school) the calculation of your Tuition CAPS may be different.
My personal information has changed. How can I update my account file?
You may update your personal information such as your address, phone number and children's information by logging into your account and making changes online. Changing the email your account is linked to (which is also your login) is only possible by calling our office. For security reasons, you will be asked to answer personal questions to confirm your identity.
Additional Information
What is the Generations Fund for Educational Excellence?
The Generations Fund for Educational Excellence is a Federation CJA initiative, aimed at preserving and strengthening Jewish identity in Montreal, primarily among our youth. The premise behind this initiative is that a strong Jewish identity is the key to ensuring an active and vibrant Jewish community in Montreal for generations to come. Click here to find out more about the Generations Fund.
Will my information be kept confidential?
Your information is strictly confidential and will not be shared with any third party or organization. Any financial or personal information provided to the CAPS program will only be used to determine Generations Fund eligibility and will not be shared with any entity, including Federation CJA, for any purpose, although data will be accumulated on a no-names basis for the entire program. We reserve the right to share your child/children's names and Tuition CAPS with your school's administrator in order to ensure program integrity. Click here to consult our Privacy Policy.
Privacy Policy and Terms of Use
Your privacy is important to us and we are committed to protecting it and to making you aware of our online practices regarding the privacy of your information. For details, please read our official Privacy Policy
Who do I contact with questions or technical difficulties?
For any questions not addressed here or on the Tuition CAPS page, please email [email protected]
Does Generations Fund have any other programs that I should consider for my children?
Yes! Click here to see all our programs.
Answers to most of your questions about this program can be found in the FAQ and Tuition CAPS sections.
For all other questions, please contact us directly at [email protected], or 514.734.1525.
Please note that we will not be able to answer eligibility questions relating to a specific case/family. Refer to our section on confidentiality to find out more.