Tuition Fees

 ISB is a not-for-profit school and its running costs are met from the tuition fees. These are set each year by the school's Board of Trustees.

 

The ISB Fee Schedule

Fee schedule 2016-2017

School fees are set by the Board of Trustees. The fee schedule for each school year is published in May.


Tuition fees 2016-2017 

Preschool
 16,750 Euro
Pre-Kindergarten 18,550 Euro
Kindergarten 28,000 Euro
Grades 1 & 2 30,150 Euro
Grades 3-6 incl. 30,700 Euro
Grades 7-9 incl. 34,050 Euro
Grades 10-12 (13) 36,150 Euro
Special Education 16,550 Euro plus grade level fees


Bus Fees

The ISB bus service is available for children as from Kindergarten, although Pre-Kindergarten children are allowed on the bus when they are accompanied by older siblings. There is no reimboursement of bus fees due to an inability to use the service for whatever reason. For families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay the annual bus fee, ISB offers a payment plan to spread the cost of the bus service across each school year. Please contact the Finance Office for more information.

Bus fees for the school year are as follows:

Bus: Round trip1,830 Euro
Bus: One way only1,375 Euro


Application and Capital fee

All grades: 2.000,00 euro as of 1 September, 2016. Application and Capital fee is raised to cover the administrative cost for students applying to ISB for the first time, as well as to support the school's capital improvement programme.


Terms 

Fees are invoiced annually in May for the following school year. For students joining during the course of the school year, invoices are issued before enrolment date. Invoices are payable within 30 days of invoice date, or prior to the student's start date. Regardless of any arrangement made between parent and employer concerning payment of school fees, the parent is always responsible for the payment of school fees for their child(ren). The School reserves the right to modify tuition fees should this prove to be necessary.

NOTE: We are experiencing unprecedented demand for places at ISB. Please assist us in working with families by either:

  • Paying on time to secure your place;
  • Letting us know if your plans have changed and you will no longer be needing your place.


Payment conditions

All fees are due and payable in Euro. Payments can be made by bank transfer to the account of The International School of Brussels at:

ING BANK
SWIFT: BBRUBEBB 
IBAN CODE: BE26 3100 8224 0629


Adjustments in school fees for incomplete years

For student who leave early
For students who have paid the full tuition and bus fee and who leave before the last day of January, 25% of the tuition and bus fee will be reimbursed by the School. If a student leaves after the last day of January, there is no reimbursement of any fees paid.

For students who enroll late
The only fee adjustments are as follows (in Euro):

LevelFull YearJanuaryFebruaryMarchAprilMayJune
Preschool 
16,750
14,250
12,600
10,050
7,5505,0502,550
PK18,55015,80013,95011,1508,3505,6002,800
K28,00023,80021,00016,80012,6008,4004,200
1 & 230,15025,65022,65018,10013,6009,0504,550
3 to 630,70026,10023,05018,45013,8509,2504,650
7 to 934,05028,95025,55020,450
15,35010,2505,150
10 to 1336,15030,75027,15021,700
16,30010,8505,450
Special Education16,55014,10012,4509,950
7,4505,0002,500
Bus: Round trip
1,830
1,5601,3801,100
830
550280
Bus: One way only
1,3751,1701,040830
620420
210


Please note that students starting within a given month will be asked to pay for the full month's fees.


Services not included in the tuition fees

All curricular activities, including field trips, have a mandatory attendance and are an integral part of the curriculum program, they are included in the tuition fee which is indivisible.

 If your child(ren) do(es) not participate for any reason in these curricular activities and/or field trips, reimbursements for whatever reason are not possible. However, the following services are not included in the tuition fees and are invoiced separately:

  • Extra-curricular activities, including ISB Plus and outdoor education trips that take place over weekends or vacations (for example ski trips);
  • The school lunch service;
  • The athletic programme travel costs;
  • IB and AP related costs  (Note: Since not all students take these courses, specific costs applied by the IBO and AP organizations for individual courses are paid by the parents);
  • The school bus service.


Consolidated invoice for other fees except application, tuition and bus fees and SEPA regulations:

The Single European Payments Area (SEPA) regulation has been implemented. The SEPA regulation is the harmonization between payments processes. Practically, this means that the direct debit will be managed by the International School of Brussels and no longer by your bank.

For all new direct debits, the SEPA mandate is the only valid form. This SEPA mandate will only be issued by our Admission or our Finance department because the SEPA mandate must have a unique reference number. The unique reference number will be mentioned on your consolidated invoice.

You will be invoiced five times (end of October, December, February, April, June) for all costs except application, tuition and bus fees. The consolidated invoice will be submitted for payment five working days following the invoice date.

For further information regarding the SEPA implementation please visit www.sepabelgium.be or contact Véronique Collard (02-661 42 26) or Dorcyna Rugamba (02-661 42 28) in the finance office.


Cafeteria purchases

The cafeteria price list and the details of student’s food purchases are available on our website at www.isb.be/cafeteria.

The daily limit on the lunch card is €10 for the Early Childhood Centre and Elementary School and €20 for Middle Schools and High School. The lunch cards from previous years are no longer valid and should not be used.

Lunch cards are distributed to the students by the divisional offices at the start of the school year. However, the lunch card will only be valid when the SEPA form has been duly signed and returned to the Finance Office. Cafeteria purchases will be invoiced five times (end of October, December, February, April and June) through the Consolidated Invoice. The consolidated invoice will be submitted for payment five working days following the invoice date. 

Financial FAQ

Frequently asked questions


Where does the money come from?

As with most international schools around the world, our income is primarily raised through tuition fee income.

What are the main revenue drivers?

There are a number of key drivers that we look to maintain each year; the number of students, the number of teachers, the level of tuition fees and the amount of financial aid awarded.

Does ISB have shareholders who make a profit on income generated each year?

No. ISB is a 'not for profit' organisation (ASBL) and, as such, never generates a large surplus of income.

Is ISB the most expensive international school in Brussels?

There are a number of international schools in the Brussels area and, whilst fees vary, ISB remains competitive. In general, school tuition fees in Belgium are high as schools such as ISB receive no tax breaks or subsidies from the national government.

Where does the money go to?

The very large majority of ISB's revenue each year is allocated towards personnel expenses. Belgium is a very expensive country for 'people-driven' organizations.

Why do tuition fees rise faster than the cost of living?

Belgium currently imposes an annual 'cost of living' salary increase upon all employers. In addition, like most international schools around the world, ISB teachers receive annual seniority increases. These two incremental costs largely drive the annual tuition fee adjustment decided by the Board of Trustees.
 

The ISB Assisted Places Programme

ISB Assisted Places Programme 

As an international school, ISB exists to serve the educational needs of families whose employment brings them to Brussels and who wish their children to have an English-language education.

The Assisted Places Programme is primarily designed to support families who experience a change of personal circumstances and financial hardship during their time at ISB.

 

What is the Assisted Places Programme?

It is a system of financial assistance whereby the tuition fees are reduced by a certain percentage each year. Normally that percentage does not exceed fifty percent and there is no financial assistance in the lower grades.

The reduction covers the tuition fees only. If families choose to use the school bus system, these costs must be met in full.

The level of financial assistance is reviewed annually.

Who is eligible to apply for an assisted place?

A. Families with children already at ISB who enjoyed an Assisted Place in one of the previous school years.
B. Families with children already at ISB who experience an unforeseen significant change of financial circumstances, resulting in an inability to meet the full costs of tuition.
C. New families applying to ISB for the first time, who fulfill each of the following criteria: 

  • there are strong reasons for the child(ren) to receive an English-speaking international schooling;
  • there are no viable educational alternatives in the Brussels area for the child(ren);
  • the employer(s) for whom the family works is not in a financial position to meet (directly or indirectly) the cost of school tuition fees;
  • the family's income, savings and assets are insufficient to cover the tuition fees in full.

How do I apply?

All applicants for an assisted place must complete the Assisted Place application form below, attaching all of the supporting materials detailed on this form.
New families must send in their application for an assisted place together with the application form for school admission and application fee.


When should I apply? 

As soon as possible. We do consider applications throughout the year, but there is a set annual budget that diminishes as applications are granted. Once that budget is exhausted we can offer no more places in that year.

NOTE: Applications from new families will not be accepted once a student has been admitted by the school unless there is a proven change in financial circumstances.


Who decides about my application?

The Assisted Places Committee is made up of members of the school's senior management team. The committee meets on a regular basis to consider applications for an assisted place. In reaching their decision they: 

  • look closely at the family's circumstances in order to ensure that they meet the three criteria listed above;
  • apply an objective financial formula to calculate the percentage of financial assistance to be offered;
  • adhere to a policy of strict confidentiality.

As soon after the meeting as is practicable the school will send you their decision in writing. 

Apply for Assisted Place

Paying Fees by Instalments

Payment via instalments

For families who would otherwise find it difficult to pay tuition fees, ISB offers a payment plan to spread the cost of tuition across each school year.


How does the scheme work?

The system is very simple and designed to support families who pay personally for the tuition of their children

NOTE: This scheme is not open to companies who contribute to the cost of ISB tuition).

There is an annual administrative cost of 200 euros per family. The cost of tuition at ISB*, plus 1% rate of interest above the current European Central Bank rate, is then divided up into a maximum of 10 monthly instalments (July – April).

*Only applies to tuition fees and does not include bus fees or other related costs.


How do I apply?

The payment via instalments scheme requires no disclosure of income and assets. Simply contact the ISB Finance Office who will be more than happy to set up this facility for you.

Please contact us for further information and this payment facility.

Terms and Conditions

General terms and conditions

All applicants must note the following Terms and Conditions of application. 

A. APPLICATION AND ENROLMENT

  1. The enrolment of a new student (hereafter called “First Enrolment”) will only be taken into consideration and processed by the International School of Brussels (ISB), (hereafter “ School”) upon receipt of (a) a completed online application form which is available on the School’s website www.isb.be, (b) the documents requested in the Application Form, and (c) the payment of the fee (hereafter called “Application and Capital Fee”). The amount of the Application and Capital Fee is published on the School’s website or is available upon simple request.
     
  2. The requested start date and grade of the new student must be indicated on the Application Form. The start date can be at the beginning of the school year (which typically starts the last week of August and ends the last week of June (hereafter “School Year”) or at any other date during the School Year (hereafter “Start Date”). The School will decide the grade and Start Date of all new students.
     
  3. The School has no obligation to admit a student who applies for a First Enrolment and is not obliged to justify its decision not to admit a student.
     
  4. The First Enrolment is subject to availability. A waiting list is established when the School is unable to determine if a place will be available on the requested Start Date. If a place is not available 60 days after the requested Start Date, the parents may cancel the application and request the full refund of the Application and Capital Fee for the student on the waiting list.
     
  5. The First Enrolment is conditional upon parental submission of all required information and documentation, including the student Health and Permission Form.
     
  6. The enrolment of a student constitutes an agreement with the School valid for a complete School Year (hereafter “Enrolment Agreement”) or the remainder thereof depending on the Start Date.

  7. The School has the right to suspend the student from attending School for a period of not more than 30 calendar days if the student does not respect the School’s rules of behavior as mentioned in the Student Handbook or similar documents. The suspension does not affect the Enrolment Agreement or the parent’s financial obligations towards the School.

  8. The School reserves the right to suspend the student from attending School if requested medical and permission information is not annually submitted within the communicated designated time by the student/the parents. Suspension will be terminated upon receipt of this information.

  9. During a School Year, the School has the right to terminate the Enrolment Agreement with immediate effect, leading to the immediate exclusion of the student from the School, in case the student/the parents do not respect the School’s rules of behavior as mentioned in the Student Handbook or similar documents. The notice shall be given in writing without any recourse to the courts and without any damages whatsoever to the student/the parents.

  10. In the case of students receiving Learning Support, as described on the School’s website www.isb.be, the School has the right to early terminate the Enrolment Agreement without any recourse to the courts and without any damages whatsoever to the student/the parents should: (a) the parents fail to disclose information relevant to learning and emotional issues that affect the learning abilities of the student; (b) the parents fail to collaborate in following up the recommendations of the School (i.e. assessments, counseling, additional therapies); (c) the School considers it is no longer able to meet the student’s needs. In each of the aforementioned cases the decision to terminate the Enrolment Agreement is taken by the School. The School will inform the parents in writing providing a notice period of not less than 3 months.

  11. Students who were enrolled for the previous School Year are enrolled automatically, subject to updating of the child’s Health and Permission Form, for the next complete School Year with all consequences related thereto. In case the School or the student/the parents decide not to enroll the student for the next School Year, a written notification has to be sent to the other party not later than May 15 of the preceding School Year. Such decision by the School or the student/the parents will not give rise to any damages whatsoever.

    B. FEES
     
  12. The Application and Capital Fee must be paid immediately when applying for the First Enrolment. If the application is withdrawn, 50% of the Application and Capital fee will be refunded except as indicated in Article 4 of these General Terms and Conditions.
     
  13. The enrolment of a student for a particular School Year obliges the student/the parents to pay the tuition fees applicable for that particular School Year (hereafter “Tuition Fee”). The Tuition Fee is specified in the Tuition Fees Schedule, published on the School’s website.
     
  14. The Tuition Fee covers all curricular activities that are a compulsory element in the student’s learning programme. The School reserves the right to modify the Tuition Fees should this prove to be necessary to reflect increased costs. Any modification of the Tuition Fees shall be published on the School’s website and the student/the parents will be notified in writing.
     
  15. If the invoice related to the Tuition Fees is sent to the student/parents before the beginning of the School Year, the invoice must be paid within 30 calendar days of the invoice date. Nevertheless, if the invoice is sent less than 30 days before the Start Date, the invoice must be paid before the Start Date. Invoices related to the Tuition Fees sent after the Start Date must be paid immediately.
     
  16. For a particular School Year, the entire Tuition Fee for students enrolled for that School Year is due by the student/parents. If the Start Date of the student during a particular School Year falls on a day in a particular month, The Tuition Fee for the entire month will be due.
     
  17. If the student leaves the School before January 31 of the School Year concerned (other than for one of the reasons as set out in Article 7, 9 and 27), the School will reimburse 25% of the Tuition Fee and of the Bus Fees where applicable to the student/the parents. The student/parents must give written notice of such decision to the School at least thirty (30) calendar days prior to the last day of attendance of the student.
     
  18. In the event of interruption of the School services due to (a) unsafe weather conditions, (b) force majeure, or (c) any decision of any federal or regional government or authority to partially or entirely close the School, there will be no refund of the Tuition Fees/Other Fees.
     
  19. In case the student/the parents sign up for services offered by the School that are not a compulsory element in the student’s learning programme, (such as but not limited to the bus service, extra-curricular field trips, after-school extra-curricular activities programme, lunch service, etc), the student/the parents agree to pay the fees related thereto (hereafter “Other Fees”).
     
  20. The amount of the Other Fees and the sign-up procedure for these additional services are published on the School’s website or available upon simple request. The sign-up procedures and the amount of the Other Fees are hereby accepted by the student/the parents.
     
  21. Invoices related to the Other Fees must be paid immediately. In case students/parents signed a Single European Payments Area (hereafter “SEPA”), the invoice related to the Other Fees will be submitted to the bank for payment within five (5) calendar days following the invoice date.
     
  22. In case the student/the parents sign up for the lunch service the student will be given a lunch card. Lunch cards are distributed to the students by the divisional offices at the start of the School Year. The lunch card will only be valid if the SEPA form is duly completed and signed.
     
  23. In addition to the Tuition Fee for a particular School Year, the School has the right to charge a capital levy (hereafter “Capital Levy”). The Capital Levy is specified in the Tuition Fee Schedule on the School’s website and provided to the student/parents upon first request. The Capital Levy is payable per student regardless the Start Date of the student during the School Year. The Capital Levy is non-refundable and non-transferable.
     
  24. By accepting these General Terms and Conditions, the student/parents accept that the School will only send electronical invoices.
     
  25. After the due date for payment the unpaid invoices of the School shall automatically carry an interest at the interest rate provided in Article 5 of the Law on combating late payments in commercial transactions of 2 August 2002 without any prior written notice from the School. A fixed indemnity of 125 EUR for administration costs for each unpaid invoice shall also be due to the School.
     
  26. The School reserves the right to suspend the student from attending School if the student/the parents failed to pay the Tuition Fees, provided that no payment was made within one month after a written notice was sent by the School to the student/the parents.
     
  27. The School has the right to terminate the Enrolment Agreement with immediate effect, without any recourse to the courts and without any damages whatsoever to the student/the parents if the student/the parents fail to pay the Tuition Fees or Other Fees, provided that no payment was made within one month after a written notice was sent by the School to the student/the parents. The termination of the Enrolment Agreement will result in the immediate exclusion of the student from the School.
     
  28. Upon request of the parents the School accepts to send the invoice for Tuition Fees and/or Other Fees due to the School to a third party such as the employer of one of the parents. Notwithstanding any payment arrangements between the parents and third parties, the parents remain jointly and severally liable for the full payment of all invoices.

    C. ASSISTED PLACES
     
  29. The School provides a special programme that offers students/the parents the possibility to apply, if certain criteria are met, for a reduced Tuition Fee (hereafter called “Assisted Place”).
     
  30. The criteria and the application procedure for Assisted Place are published on the School’s website and are also available upon simple request. The criteria and the application procedure are hereby accepted by the student/the parents.
     
  31. Applications for an Assisted Place must be made together with the application for a First Enrolment. Once the student has been admitted for enrolment for a particular School Year, the student/the parents can no longer validly apply for an Assisted Place for such School Year.


    D. DATA PROTECTION, PORTRAIT RIGHT AND USE OF SOCIAL MEDIA
     
  32. The School holds information about you and your child including but not limited to school reports and examination results, parent and guardian contact details, financial information, and details of student medical conditions. This information is kept electronically on the School’s information management system or manually in filing systems and is only accessible to designated people on a need-to-know basis. We take all reasonable and appropriate measures to protect this information from unauthorized access, use or disclosure. You can at reasonable intervals and at no charge request this personal information, as well as details of how and when this information is used.

  33. The School has the right to take pictures and record video content of Students without the prior consent of the parents/students. The School also has the right to use and publish the pictures insofar the use is limited to educational activities and promotion of the School via publications, the School website, social media and other marketing activities. Images will be removed at first request of the student/the parents.

    E. APPLICATION OF THE GENERAL TERMS AND CONDITIONS
     
  34. These General Terms and Conditions apply from the moment the student/the parents submit an application for a First Enrolment until the student is no longer enrolled in the School and all outstanding issues between the School and the student/his parents related to the student’s enrolment are finally settled. These General Terms and Conditions apply to each Enrolment Agreement entered into between the School and the student/the parents.
     
  35. These General Terms and Conditions as well as the Enrolment Agreements to which they apply will be governed by Belgian law. All disputes related to these General Terms and Conditions and Enrolment Agreements to which they apply, shall be submitted to the exclusive jurisdiction of the courts of Brussels.
     
  36. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision(s) of these General Terms and Conditions shall in no way affect the validity or enforcement of any other provision(s) or any part thereof.
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