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FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Use the arrows "Icon Expanding Arrow" to the right of the questions to expand each section.
 
All students are required to provide two (2) proofs of Chicago residency at the start of each school year and after a move. Only readable and full documents will be accepted. Registration will not be complete without these supporting documents.  Address verification is required by the Office of Inspector General. 

 

Accepted Proof:

  • Current (within 2 billing cycles of today's date) utility bill (Gas, Light, Water). Copy of bill must show the service address and name, NOT a copy of the envelope.
  • Illinois driver's license or State of Illinois identification card. (One or two adults and/or the student's State ID are sufficient.)  
  • Deed
  • MediPlan/Medicaid card Only (Not an insurance card)
  • Court documents
  • Illinois Department of Public Aid card/Department of Human Services
  • Stamped United States Post Office change of address form copy or a piece of mail with the yellow sticker indicating the new address.
  • Illinois state aid check/social security check

Not Accepted Proof: 

  • Cable/Internet bill
  • Car Insurance
  • Credit card bill
  • Cell phone bill
  • Bank statement
 

Examples of the right and wrong way to scan or photo of digital documents

Correct

Make sure your proof of address files are readable, full document, and either an image or PDF.

[Correct]

Sm Proof Correct

 

Incorrect

If we can't read it then we can't use it.

[Incorrect Example: Too Small] 

Sm Incorrect Proof Example 1

or [IncorrectExamples: At an angle/Information Unreadable ]

Sm Incorrect Proof Example 2

 

For a list of LSC-approved student fees please review our 2021-2022 Fee Schedule  [ English | 中国人 | Espanol ].  Fees are assessed based on grade and student schedules.  Some fees such as Sports Team Fees and AP Exam Fees are assessed throughout the year.
 
Applying to have fees waived/reduced? Do not submit payment at this time. Please wait for results from the FIIF before submitting payment.  We cannot refund payments if you qualify for the waiver after fees have been paid.
 
Note: some fees do not qualify to be reduced or waived.
 
 
Applying to have fees waived/reduced? Do not submit payment at this time. Please wait for results from the FIIF before submitting payment. We cannot refund payments if you qualify for the waiver after fees have been paid.
 
Note: some fees do not qualify to be reduced or waived.
 

Online

Review your student’s fees for the upcoming school year as well as previous years (if applicable) by signing in to Parent Portal on the Jones website (Parents> Parent Portal then Family > Transactions > Payment). You may pay these fees online through Parent Portal using a credit card. We cannot accept payments over the phone. 

 

Parent Portal/ASPEN Tutorial Video

https://www.cps.edu/services-and-supports/parent-and-student-portal/parent-portal/ 

US Mail

You can also send in payment (check or money order) to the following address:

Jones College Prep
Attn: Director of Finance
700 S. State St.
Chicago, IL 60605
 
In-Person
We will accept cash, check, money order, or credit cards in the Main Office.
Jones has a combination card that acts as both a student ID and a Ventra card.
 
Learn more information on the CPS Ventra website.
» CPS/Ventra Website
Please complete a Jones Help Desk ticket to request a Parent Portal account in Aspen. Once parent contact information has been verified by the student’s school, parents will receive a signup email from Aspen. If you don’t receive the signup email, we also recommend checking your SPAM folder. If you are unable to locate the email, please contact your school for assistance.
 
Related 
The Family Income Information Form (FIIF) is one of the most important documents you can complete for the school. The FIIF is how the school gets funding and it helps identify those students that may need assistance. All families, regardless of waiver status should complete a FIIF or submit a decline if they choose to opt-out. 
 
Once you complete the online QuickStart form parents will receive an email with important documents to print, sign and return to the school. The FIIF is included with those forms.
Please submit a Jones Help Desk ticket. 
Students will receive a welcome email from their assigned counselor on August 16th that will outline the process for how to make schedule changes.
Yearbook photos will be taken during QuickStart on August 18 and 19. Make up sessions for all grads will be held in September. Date TBD. 

Fee Questions

See the fee summary here.

All funding received from CPS at Jones is utilized to pay for staff and teaching positions. Everything else at Jones, from paper to technology, is funded through student fees, rental income, and other grants. 

There are general fees that are assessed to all non-waiver students and other fees that will be applied based on grade level, class elective, and activity participation. Athletic fees are assessed to all students regardless of waiver. See the types of fees above for more detailed information.

You can use this online calculator to estimate if you are eligible (https://www.benefits.gov/benefit/1963). The calculator is located at the bottom of the page. Note that income includes all sources of income, not just wages, for example, child support, social security, or unemployment. All families will still need to complete the Family Income Information Form (FIIF) form as described below. 

Every school year, Chicago Public Schools (CPS) requires every student to submit a Family Income Information Form (FIIF). The information is used to determine if any fees may be reduced or waived for qualifying households and if any student qualifies for high-quality healthcare and food/nutrition programs. The information from the FIIF is also used to determine if Jones College Prep will receive additional state funds for next school year. This form/information is important, and all families are required to complete this form. If you are eligible, please fully complete the Family Income Information Form (FIIF). If you are not eligible, please return the signed FIIF form with your student’s name(s) and indicate “does not qualify” on the form. Students that qualify for the free fee waiver (formerly free lunch) will receive a 100% reduction of fees and those that qualify for the reduced fee waiver (formerly reduced lunch) will receive a 50% reduction of fees, for all fees except the Athletic Fee and Calculator purchase. 

  • Pay with Aspen (preferred method). Login to the parent portal of your Aspen account (https://aspen.cps.edu/). Click the three line menu in the upper left hand corner > click “Fees”. Under “Fees Details” you can see any outstanding fees, unapplied payments, and your balance. Under “Payments” you can see your full payment history and make payments. 
  • Pay with check or money order payable to “Jones College Prep,” mail to ATTENTION: Business Manager, 700 S. State Street, Chicago, IL 60605, or drop off at the main office.  
  • Pay with cash, in person at the main office between 9am-2pm during regular school days.
Jones offers payment plans to families that prefer to pay incrementally. There is no auto payment plan through Aspen at this time. The best way to set up an auto payment is through your personal banking institution in conjunction with the Jones College Prep payment plan form (link). If you are unable to set up a payment plan, please see the question, “What if I can’t pay my fee?” below.
Fees should be paid upon assessment at the beginning of the year or when assessed as activities occur throughout the year. The monies from those fees are utilized to support your child during the academic school year.

Yes. Unpaid fee balances will accrue in your account each year. If at the end of the year, you have been unable to pay your fees please reach out to the Principal, Assistant Principals, or the school Business Manager, Jeremy Voigt (jvoigt@cps.edu), for information. 

Students will not be denied participation in any academic, social, and athletic activities or programs due to financial circumstances. Students and families are strongly encouraged to discuss their financial situation with the Administrative Leadership Team and Business Manager, Jeremy Voigt (jvoigt@cps.edu). The Jones Administrative Leadership Team and the entire Jones school community are committed to support every student and their families to ensure they receive the opportunities and resources to meet their unique needs and aspirations.

Yes. Graduation expenses vary from year to year. If a graduation fee will be assessed, families will be informed in early January of the amount for planning purposes and it will be added to your account. Graduation Fees average between $100-$150 a year. Graduation fees cover diplomas, caps-n-gowns, venue, and other miscellaneous expenses. This fee is assessed to all non-waiver students.