Some of the following ideas are simple; some are difficult; all are aimed at finding a way for you, the concerned parent, to fulfill your commitment. Some of these ideas may spark additional ideas.

1. Give the Biblical education of your children its proper priority in your budget, and if necessary, eliminate something from your budget. (i.e. coffee mochas, cable TV)
   
2. Get your spending under control -- establish a careful budget.
   
3. Sell items you do not need.
   
4. Have a major housecleaning and super garage sale.
   
5. For homemakers: discover a way to earn money while in your home.
   
6. If you rent, prepare for and obtain a position managing apartments. The reduction of housing expense would allow for the additional funds required to pay the school tuition.
   
7. If you have time, materials, talent or services which Hamilton Creek Learning Center could use, develop a plan whereby you could exchange for partial payment of tuition. (ie.: field trips, events coordination, etc.)
   
8. Fund-raising activities are unlimited. Try one. Fund raise for a student/tuition scholarship fund.
   
9. If you own a van or station wagon you might be able to make arrangements to transport students to and from school activities in return for wages. Be sure to check with the State Department of Motor Vehicles and with your auto insurance agent before entering this kind of arrangement.
   
10. Make crafts in your home and sell them through your local gift shops, or have a special party with friends and neighbors to sell the items. Homemade holiday gifts can sell very quickly.
    
11. Any student in 7th grade or above is a candidate to earn part of all his or her tuition and other school expenses. Some suggested ways are: paper route, Saturday yard and garden work, house cleaning, ironing, babysitting, Christmas card and general greeting card sales, mail order shoe sales, delivery jobs with pharmacies, telegraph offices, florist shops, groceries, farm work, carpenter's helper, swimming instructor, lifeguard, YMCA or athletic club assistance, golf course workers. In a resort area, there are special opportunities; trail guide, dock helper, work farming, and sales, fly tying, and on and on go the possible opportunities for a young person to make an income which could help pay part, or all of his or her high school education. In one school a survey was taken requesting, from each student in grades 7 through 12, an estimate of the percentage he/she was earning and contributing towards his/her school expenses. Though the tuition was $1,080 for that year (1980-1), a figure of $1,500 was used as 100% for the survey, to account for miscellaneous and travel expenses. The results of the survey showed:
    
    56 students (47%) contributed 10% or more to their school expenses. Of this group:
    
    38 students contributed 10% ($150)
    7 students contributed 20% ($300)
    7 students contributed 30% ($450)
    1 students contributed 40% ($600)
    3 students contributed 90% ($1,350)
    
    There have been several students at Hamilton Creek Learning Center who have paid part or all of their tuition.
    
12. A stepping-stone to employment: Certain institutions (hospitals, public schools, and many other non-profit corporations including private schools) will, under the right conditions, employ volunteer, unpaid help. Volunteers work has several excellent rewards as it allows a person to: 1) Learn what it is like to work in the organization, 2) Meet new people, 3) Learn new skills, 4) Prepare for paid employment, (if your volunteer service demonstrates that you will be worth paying as an employee.)
    
13. Make your need known to your pastor, rabbi, or family member. Someone may be willing to contribute a partial or full scholarship.
    
14. Propose to your church a plan whereby all tithing families would be allowed to have a part of their child's tuition paid by the church, perhaps out of the mission budget.
    
15. If you have a wealthy friend or relative, you might prayerfully make an appeal for assistance towards your child's education. Sometimes a person with means would rather sponsor a child they know, than to give to the school's general scholarship fund.
    
16. Spend time in prayer regarding your need for tuition funds. God is the source of every good thing, including creative ideas for problem solving. "The Lord provides when He requires".