"Do you accept Bitcoin?"That's the question Marco Ciocca, co-founder and chairman of the Montessori Schools, says he's been getting over and over lately.The schools in the Flatiron and Soho districts of the city comprise what Ciocca says is the largest preschool program in Manhattan, and because of their location they have a lot of parents who work at "Silicon Alley" tech companies."There were a couple of parents that said, "How could you do this?"This month the school announced it would accept Bitcoin as a way for parents to pay the tuition, which runs $30,950 for the full-day program."Welooked at the pros and cons of accepting it and decided that now is probably a good time because it's starting to enter the mainstream," Ciocca says."It happens to be that we’re the first pre-kindergarten school to accept it as a form of payment."The Montessori Schools have campuses in Soho and the Flatiron District of Manhattan.Some parents were skeptical."Therewere a couple that were like, 'How could you do this?

Between the exchange risk and its use for underworld nefarious purposes [it's a mistake].'"Ciocca responded by pointing out that "many Fortune 500 companies accept it and it's a misconception that it's used for nefarious purposes."Witha merchant account on Coinbase, the for-profit schools "instantly turn Bitcoin into fiat currency" when parents use it for payment, negating the risk that it would depreciate based on the cryptocurrency's volatility.Ciocca says that "the perception that Bitcoin may have been gained through illicit activities or that it represents some kind of underworld, dark web" was a consideration" since "we're a school, which is wholesome and obviously deals with children."Heand his administrative team decided that the potential benefits outweighed the cons, and so far "a handful" of parents have used it.With a value today of nearly $2,700 U.S.dollars per Bitcoin, up from $880 in January, Ciocca says some parents who invested months ago are "in essence paying a reduced tuition."

Also, he says, "there's really not much else that you can pay $30,000 for in Bitcoin."(Buying a Tesla is, apparently, another way to spend a lot of the cryptocurrency.)"It’s just really another payment option, Ciocca says."If you don’t want to use it then by all means pay with a check—no harm, no foul."A quick preface: If you are in a financial situation where, even with tuition assistance or a loan, life may become uncomfortable or too risky for you, we encourage you to wait and save up.We certainly do not want to play the same game that the student debt industry does now!A. Women’s Scholarships: For each immersive program, we offer two, $5,000 Women’s Scholarships.It’s time to level the playing field.B. Veteran Benefits:  As of July 2016, we are now accepting GI Bill benefits, which can cover up to 100% of your Codeup tuition.Veterans admitted to Codeup can also apply for grant-based tuition assistance with Project QUEST, a San Antonio non-profit organization.C. Grants for Transitioning Service Members: Transitioning Service Members can apply for tuition assistance under the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).** D. Grants Based on Employment History: Admitted students with a history of unemployment or underemployment can also receive tuition assistance from both Project QUEST and the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA).** **San Antonio residents may contact their local Workforce Solutions Alamo office to get more info on WIOA eligibility.

or (210) 802-7289 with any questions!We can finance up to 100% of the program tuition through one of our lending partners: Skills Fund or Climb.bitcoin next halving dayOnce you’re accepted to the program, we’ll supply you with the application for financing.mine litecoin macIf you are low on funds before Codeup but can afford the payments after finding work, this is the best option.ethereum windows walletCodeup students may also choose to pay their tuition in bitcoin.You can check out one student’s bitcoin story here!You can also pay for Codeup with a credit card!Codeup has partnered with WeFinance to provide a crowdfunding option for Codeup students.To get started simply click here to create your crowdfunding page, invite people in your network to help fund your Codeup education, and connect to a nationwide network of people interested in helping fund students just like you.

A new service plans to help students use Bitcoin to reduce their student debt by as much as 17%.Brawker, in combination with Tuition.io, is offering tuition gift cards to students.The student debt crisis in the United States has reached epic proportions.The average student loan debt is approaching US$27,000 per student, and totals more than US$1 trillion over all.The problem is apparently not the loans themselves, but rising interest rates., but also to pay bills and even pay traffic tickets using Bitcoin.The company says that its mission is to eventually allow users to live completely free of fiat currency.Brawker allows users to sell Bitcoin at a markup, or to buy it without having to go through an exchange such as Coinbase.The new service for students allows users to post Bitcoins in exchange for a Tuition.io gift card.The cards are limited to US$500 and come with a 6% credit card processing fee of US$30, but users can buy the card for US$441, which amounts to a 17% savings.There are no account requirements for going through the process, but there are five steps.

If you are using a credit card, you will be required to provide your credit card information.Once you buy your coins, you can exchange them with someone who wants a gift card for Tuition.io.This allows prospective students to buy Bitcoins from Brawker and then trade them for a gift card from Tuition.io.The markup they get when they sell the Bitcoins for the card is the savings they receive when they pay their tuition.This service is apparently not for everyone though.One reporter at Cryptocoinsnews tried to use the service with some of his loans and found that not all loans will qualify.This is apparently true of loans obtained through Sallie Mae, one of the major state and federal loan servicers in the United States.When he tried to use his gift card with Tuition.io, the site did not show a record and he was forced to redeem it through an email link.Brawker, Tuition.io, and alliances such as this are quite new and there is plenty of room for improvements and competition in the future.Regardless of some difficulties, the idea of saving as much as 17% on tuition is an attractive proposition to many students in the United States.