Contract FAQ

We are sending you these FAQs in advance with instructions and outlining the process for you. Please review this email before submitting the contract(s). You will receive the contract(s) via email from GISW Admissions dswashington@myschoolapp.com. When appropriate, both parents received an email and both parents have to sign the contract(s). Again, if your email(s) have changed within the past 6 months, please let us know ASAP at mail@giswahington.org.

Please carefully REVIEW the contract and all embedded LINKS as a family, then where appropriate CHOOSE different add-on programs and SIGN/INICIAL (both parents) the Contract. After you each sign the contract with your full name you will have to review the contract and hit send and pay the deposit fee where appropriate. Only then has the Contract been submitted. You will have the option to save or print your contract – even at a later time.

Using Blackbaud Enrollment Management and Tuition Management systems, signing an integrated contract for the first time involves several steps. Below is a detailed guide to assist you through the process, including potential challenges, solutions, and support resources. Please remember where applicable both parents/guardians have to sign the contract and receive a separate email.

Steps to Sign the Integrated Contract: Please watch this helpful video. How will a parent fill out an integrated contract?

1. Access the Parent Portal:
2. Log in to your school's Blackbaud Education Management portal using the link we sent you in the email. Difficulty accessing the parent portal? Ensure you're using the correct login credential (use the email that was used to send the contract message to you)
3. Locate the Enrollment Contract:
• In the Enrollment Management system, select the contract assigned to your student(s).
• Review all sections of the contract, including policies, tuition, fees, and payment plans.
4. Select a Payment Plan:
• Choose a suitable payment plan from the options provided.
• Ensure you understand the terms and schedule associated with your selected plan.
5. Confirm Billing Information:
• Verify and update your billing details, including contact information and payment methods.
6. Review and Submit:
• Carefully review the entire contract for accuracy and submit the deposit fee as last step. You contract will not be submitted if you do not review the contract and pay the deposit fee.
• Submit the contract electronically by following the on-screen instructions.
7. Access Tuition Management Account:
• After submission, access your Tuition Management account to manage payments and monitor your account status.

YOU are all DONE and your student(s) is/are enrolled at GISW for the upcoming school year 25/26. We thank you again for entrusting us with the education of your child(ren).

Common Challenges and Solutions:

• Challenge: Uncertainty about selecting the appropriate payment plan.
• Solution: Review the details of each payment plan carefully. If you have questions, contact the accounting office for guidance. If your employer pays for your tuition directly to GISW you will only be able to submit the annual payment option. Please also select the default due date.
• Challenge: Technical issues during contract submission.
• Solution: Try using a different web browser or clearing your current browser's cache. If problems persist, reach out to Blackbaud's Parent Contact Center for assistance.

Support Resources:

• Blackbaud Parent Contact Center:
• Phone: (888) 868-8828
• Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM ET; Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET
• Online Chat: Available after logging into your account at Blackbaud Tuition Management Parent Portal
• Blackbaud Customer Support:
• Phone: (800) 468-8996 (Option 1)
• Hours: Monday–Friday: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM ET
• Website: Blackbaud Support
• Blackbaud Financial Aid Management Support:
• Phone: (800) 360-8027
• Email: financialaidsupport@blackbaud.school
• Hours: Monday–Friday: 7:00 AM – 1:00 AM ET; Saturday–Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM ET

For additional guidance, consult the Enrollment Management Contracts/Tuition Management Integration: Payer Experience resource. This document provides detailed information on the payer experience with integrated contracts.

If you encounter issues during the process, don't hesitate to contact the appropriate support channels listed above. They are equipped to assist you with any challenges you may face.

Please take a moment (less than 5 minutes) to (re)-select the BUS ROUTE for your child(ren) using this LINK. NEW THIS YEAR, the BUS ZONE will be determined during the contract signing and will impact your annual bus fee. Bus stops are established at central pick-up points. Bus routes are evaluated every summer and new stops may be considered at that time, depending on student addresses and interest in bus service. If the closest stop is more than a fifteen (15) minute walk or a forty (40) minute car ride, adjusting or adding a stop will be taken into consideration, but is not guaranteed. You can review the current bus routes and zones HERE and also HERE for further details. Please follow this LINK for general information about the Bus Department. Please fill out a separate form for each of your student(s).

A deposit of $1000 per child is required in order to fully sign your contract and secure a spot for your child for the upcoming school year, which will be applied to your tuition. Tuition and fees will be billed prior to the start of the new school year and will reflect the deposit, all applicable fees, discounts (loyalty discount as well as early enrollment bonus), credits, grants, and add–on program charges (e.g. Bus, Extended Care and Preschool Afternoon Program).

If your employer covers the tuition including the deposit, and pays directly to the School, you are required to provide us with the following information. Please complete this form by March 27, 2025, so that we may send you the appropriate contract.

All other families will have the opportunity to pay the deposit during signing of the contract. In order to submit the Contract to the School, the deposit must to be submitted with the contract. You may pay the deposit via credit card at signing. Please have your credit card information handy.

Why am I being asked for my personal Information again on the contract? We are asking for your personal information on the contract to ensure that the correct individual is completing the information during the re-enrollment process and so that we can process your contract faster once you complete the contract and send it back to us. Please be assured that the BlackBaud platforms are secure and that it is safe to provide your personal information.

If we sent the contract email to a Google or Gmail address, you can log into your parent portal without needing to create a new account. Simply use the "Sign in with Google" feature. Blackbaud allows you to sign in with your Google account, eliminating the need for a separate username and password. Here’s how to do it:

1. Look for the "Sign in with Google" button.
2. Click the button to be directed to the Google login page.
3. Sign in with your Google credentials. If you're already logged into your Google account, you may not need to enter your password again—just select the Google account you want to use (please use the one we have on file, as this is connected to your Blackbaud account).

If you don’t have a Google or Gmail address, you’ll be prompted to set up a new account and choose a password. Your username will be your email address. You may receive a verification code from Blackbaud to confirm your identity. The code will be sent to your email. Once you receive it, enter the code, choose a password, save it, and log into Blackbaud.

Yes. The contract may be signed on both a smartphone and a tablet. Since this is a binding contract we encourage you to review and sign the contract on a laptop or desktop computer for optimal viewing.

Yes. In fact, we strongly recommend that you print or download a copy of your contract after signing. You may also always view it in your BlackBaud account by signing in. Keep your log-in information at hand.

Electronic delivery is GISW’s preferred method in order to submit your contract as effortlessly and quickly as possible, but you may sign on paper. Please contact the admissions office at admissions@giswashington.org.

Please kindly fill out the exit form and send it to admissions@giswashington.org.

Please check the Wednesday Mail and your emails for additional extension reminders about the Early Bird Tuition Bonus. It takes about 20 minutes to fill out and sign the Contract. Please have your financial and personal information at hand when filling out the contract.

If your email address has changed over the past 6 months, please let us know as SOON as possible.

First, make sure it did not get routed to your spam folder and/or your email is blocking GISW Admissions dswashington@myschoolapp.com. The email may be blocked by either your email server, firewall, email provider, or email client. Please check your junk folder, trust all emails from our Admissions Office at
dswashington@myschoolapp.com.

Second, there's a chance that our email is getting caught in your email's filter. Try adjusting your email preferences and adding GISW Admissions dswashington@myschoolapp.com as a trusted sender.

If you still have not received an email, please contract admissions@giswashington.org.

Yes, you can finish the process later by simply signing into your account. Please remember your password.   The contract will not be completed until all required information is provided and the “Submit” button is clicked. If you have forgotten your password, click “Help, I forgot my password” and follow the prompts.

If you have any questions or concerns about signing the contract: Please refer FIRST to this FAQ guide before contacting admissions@giswashington.org. We thrive to respond within 72 hours.

The German International School (GISW) is using secure digital signature technology to respond to parental feedback to simplify the re-enrollment process, eliminating any need for paper copies or scanning and connecting with its BlackBaud Tuition Management Program for more convenience and oversight for parents’ billing information and needs.