SCRIP has been used for many years by parents and families to pay for tuition and provide scholarships for students.  Gift cards from vendors are purchased with cash and then used whenever a purchase is made.  A portion of the total amount is credited to an account that you set up in your child's name.  In July of each year the total amount of your credit or rebate is added up and applied toward tuition or whatever you want the money to be used for.