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FAQ

1. What is the purpose of the Attendance Incentive Program?

Chronic absenteeism is a growing concern that affects student achievement, graduation rates, and long-term success. This program is designed to encourage consistent school attendance by providing financial incentives to students who attend school every day.

2. What are the details of the program?

  • Dates: December 1, 2025 - December 19, 2025
  • Incentive: $25 electronic gift card per week for students who attend school every day during the week
  • Eligibility: Attendance will be tracked to ensure students are present for the full school day (students missing more than 50% of the day are considered absent).
  • Payments: $25 payments are processed through Bill.com. 
  • All funds must be used by June 30, 2026

3. How do I get paid the $25.00? 

Payments are available through our partner, Bill.com.

  1. You will need to download the app. 
  2. Once you receive a welcome email from Bill.com, you will be able to finish setting up your account.
 

4. How often will I get paid? 

Payments are issued weekly beginning December 12, 2025. While payments are issued, please allow 24-48 hours for the funds to be available. 

 

Attended School 

Monday through Friday

Disbursement of Funds (through Bill.com)

December 1 - 5

Friday, December 12

December 8 - 12

Friday, December 19

December 15 - 19

Friday, December 26
 

 ** While disbursements are made on Friday, please allow up to 48 hours for your funds to be available. 

5. Who do I contact with questions about payment? 

For technical assistance with Bill.com, please visit: https://help.bill.com/direct/s/contact-us for Live Chat support

 

For questions regarding your child’s eligibility or questions about the incentive program, please email: wsf@charlestoncountyschools.gov.

6. Who is eligible to participate?

Students in selected grade levels with high levels of absenteeism have been identified for this pilot program. 

8. What schools or districts have tried similar programs?

  • Detroit Public Schools launched an attendance incentive in 2025, offering $200 gift cards for perfect attendance every two weeks, resulting in 1,800 students achieving perfect attendance in the first week.
  • Oakland Unified School District found that while financial incentives increased attendance, strong relationships with educators kept students engaged long-term.
  • Birmingham City Schools & St. Louis Public Schools have successfully used financial incentives to help families with transportation costs, reducing attendance barriers.

9. How will the district determine if the program is successful?

The district will assess:

  • Reduction in chronic absenteeism among participating students.
  • Overall improvement in daily attendance rates in pilot schools.
  • Academic progress in literacy and math for students in the program.
  • Parent and student feedback on the program’s impact.
A cost-benefit analysis comparing the program to traditional attendance interventions.		  
   
   
   
   
   
   

 

 ** While disbursements are made on Friday, please allow up to 48 hours to access your funds. 

5. Who do I contact with questions about payment? 

For technical assistance with Bill.com, please visit: https://help.bill.com/direct/s/contact-us for Live Chat support

For questions regarding your child’s eligibility or questions about the incentive program, please email: wsf@charleston.k12.sc.us

6. Who is eligible to participate?

Students in selected grade levels with high levels of absenteeism have been identified for this pilot program. 

7. How is this program funded?

This pilot is funded through Weighted Student Funding (WSF), which provides resources based on student needs. Instead of hiring additional attendance staff, the district is investing directly in families to improve student attendance.

8. What schools or districts have tried similar programs?

  • Detroit Public Schools launched an attendance incentive in 2025, offering $200 gift cards for perfect attendance every two weeks, resulting in 1,800 students achieving perfect attendance in the first week.
  • Oakland Unified School District found that while financial incentives increased attendance, strong relationships with educators kept students engaged long-term.
  • Birmingham City Schools & St. Louis Public Schools have successfully used financial incentives to help families with transportation costs, reducing attendance barriers.

9. How will the district determine if the program is successful?

The district will assess:

  • Reduction in chronic absenteeism among participating students.
  • Overall improvement in daily attendance rates in pilot schools.
  • Academic progress in literacy and math for students in the program.
  • Parent and student feedback on the program’s impact.
  • A cost-benefit analysis comparing the program to traditional attendance interventions.