Once someone registers for one of our schools they receive some tentative information.  If they have paid their registration fees, they are also sent a confirmation of payment.

Additional details are also sent to each fully registered student about two weeks before the school.

But, as with any program or activity, there are always some questions.  I have tried to answer as many as possible on each of the pages of this web site.  But, that does not always work.  So, here are some of the most commonly asked questions.

If you have any questions, after reading this, please email me regarding school info, Santa@NationalSanta.com.

• Who can register for the Schools?
• Can my registration payment be split up?
• Where are the Schools?
• Does the cost to the school include my hotel room and meals?
• What is the school agenda and schedule?
• Course Book
• Do I have to have a real beard in order to attend School4Santas? 
• May a Mrs. Claus attend without a Santa?
• What is the Dress or attire for attending a school?
• Do Students receive a certificate or diploma?
• How will my name be printed on my Diploma?
• What if I have to cancel?
• Is School4Santas an adjudicated school? 
• Are there Scholarships or discounts for military or Senior Citizens?

Who can Register for the Schools? – Anyone can register to attend the International University of Santa Claus, aka: School4Santas.   It is open to all Santas, whether real bearded or theatrically bearded, plus all Mrs. Claus, Santa Helpers and others interested in the work and business of Santa Claus.

Can my registration payment be split up? – Yes, you can split up your registration payment over two, three or even four months, as long as the final payment is made prior to, or at the school you will be attending.  We have many students, who are on fixed incomes or have a cash flow situation that makes it difficult to pay the full registration at one time.  To do this, you need to contact me direct: Santa@NationalSanta.com

Where are the schools Located – I strive to teach at least six schools each year, in different cities around the country.  My efforts are to vary the host cities in an effort to cover the entire country and to make it easier for all to attend.  The locations for each of the schools is listed on the main web site under the heading “School Locations.”  

The actual hotel for each school is then listed on that school’s web page.    Each of our host hotels offers special room rates for Santas and guests of the School.  Just call the phone number listed on the Location page and mention “School4Santas,” to get the special rate.  You are also free to see if you can find reduced rates at other area hotels using your AAA or AARP cards, or any of the special hotel discounts web sites.  There is no obligation to stay at the Host Hotel.

Does the cost to the school include my hotel room and meals? – No,  travel, lodging and meals are not included in the registration and are the responsibility of each student.  Your school registration only covers the two days of training, your course book and a personalized diploma.  I offer these schools in different cities around the country, trying to get as close to the Santas as possible.

What is the School Schedule and Agenda? – The workshop hours are identical for Saturday and Sunday with class beginning at 8:00 a.m. and running until 5 p.m. There will be a one hour lunch break around Noon.  I try to get into the class room between 7:00 and 7:30 a.m.  If the attendees for a school  wishes, we can have a small prayer gathering on Sunday morning at 7:30 a.m.   A full agenda for the two days can be found on this web site at http://www.school4santas.com/agenda/.   Just click on the link.

Course Book – “Behind the Red Suit,” is the official course book for the IUSC.   All new students will receive our most current edition, 246 pages.   Alumni can bring their original book or order the current edition at a special alumni rate of just $40.00.

Do I have to have a real beard in order to attend School4Santas? – No, you do not need to have a beard in order to attend.  There are hundreds of professional and volunteer Santas, if not thousands, who wear theatrical beards and wigs.  My school teaches that it is not the beard….It is not the belly……It is not the red suit!   It is what you have in your heart.  By the way we do discuss the quality of theatrical beards during the course.

May a Mrs. Claus attend without a Santa? – By all means, yes!  Our course does teach the basics of being a good Santa.  But we also delve into the work of Mrs. Claus and how she works with Santa.  Additionally, we will discuss some other services and talents a Mrs. Claus can use to get her own bookings, whether with a Santa or not.

What is the Dress or attire for attending a school? – Most schools are taught in the spring and summer.  It can get quite warm at some of our schools and especially indoors in a classroom filled with Santas.  So, the dress it is very casual and comfortable.  But, as always ‘red’ seems to be the color of the day.  We do invite all students, if they wish, to show us their Santa wardrobe.  If you wish to show off something or get comments and suggestions from myself and other Santas, you are most welcome to bring any suit or suits and share on Sunday Afternoon.  Or, you can simply supply me with some photos that I can add to the video presentations.  We all learn when we share.     By no means is this a requirement that you have a suit as I do know some Santas do not own suits and only wear suits that are loaned or supplied to them for the Season.   Please do remember your Santa Hat for the Graduation ceremonies.

Do Students receive a certificate or diploma? – Every person who attends a School4Santas workshop is presented with a special, personalized Diploma from the International University of Santa Claus (IUSC), suitable for framing:

• Correspondence Course/DVD Training = Associate Degree in SantaClausology
• Attendance at first workshop= Bachelor Degree in SantaClausology
• Attendance at second workshop = Master Degree in SantaClausology
• Attendance at three or more workshops = Advanced Master’s Degree in SantaClausology
• PhD presentation at a workshop = Doctorate in SantaClausology

For additional information on Diplomas, click on the link for Diplomas.

How will my name be printed on my Diploma?  – Diplomas are printed on the Tuesday, before each School!  You may have your name printed on your diploma in a variety of ways.  I send out a notice, prior to each school, with the wording you give on your registration form.  However, if you wish to change it, you can let me know if there is a change, prior to the Tuesday before your school.  Options for wording on your diploma include: “John Smith”; “Santa John Smith”; John “Santa John” Smith; “Susan Smith”; “Mrs. Susan Smith”; Susan “Mrs. Claus” Smith, or any stage name you prefer.

I have taken your DVD course and receive my associate’s diploma.  If I attend one of your ‘live’ schools what diploma will I receive? – First, thank you for taking the DVD course.  Now that you have your associates diploma, when you attend your first ‘live’ school you will receive a bachelor’s diploma.

Santa Claus Oath Ceremony – On Saturday Afternoon at around 4:30 p.m., at the closing of our first day of school, I will host a “Santa Claus Oath Ceremony.”  This is through special arrangements with the Santa Claus Oath Foundation.  Over 3,500 Santas and Mrs. Claus have taken the Oath and I am pleased to offer this ceremony to all Santas and Mrs. Claus in the region. There is no cost and one does not need to be a student of the school in order to attend the ceremony.  All Santas and Mrs. Claus in the region are invited to join us.  Certificates suitable for framing will be handed out.

Saturday Night Dinner/Social – On Saturday evening everyone is invited to join together at 6:00 p.m., for dinner at a local restaurant.  A location is announced a week or two before the school.  This dinner is often done in association a local Santa Association or group.  It is not restricted and is open to all Santas, Mrs. Claus, Friends and Family in the region.  One does not need to attend the school in order to attend the dinner.  Come join the friendship and networking with your fellow Santas and students. (Separate Checks Please!)

I am alumni and my wife who has never attended, wishes to also attend the school with me.  How do we register? – You would register as an alumni couple.  You could share the original book that you got when you first attended.  For this school you would receive your Advanced Masters or whatever level you are qualified for, and she would receive her Bachelor Diploma.

What if I have to cancel attending a school?  We understand that sometimes schedules do not work out.   Should you need to cancel attending a school, we can ship you the Home Study Course and refund a portion of your registration.  

Is School4Santas an adjudicated school?  Are the diplomas real? –  The diplomas and honors presented by the International University of Santa Claus are presented to Santas and Mrs. Claus in recognition of their investment in furthering their education and knowledge on Santa Claus and the many areas related to the business and activities of being Santa. The diplomas are a way of showing that you have invested in yourself, and the work you do, to continue the spirit and image of Santa Claus.

The IUSC, aka School4Santas, is not certified as an institution of higher education, nor accredited by the Council for Higher Education (CHEA) nor any organization that is recognized by CHEA.

How can I have a school in my area? – It is quite easy to arrange for a school in your area.  I have done this in the past with many regional Santa associations.  I do have a requirement that the school should have ten to twelve students enrolled.  This is necessary in order to cover the cost of the meeting location traveled for myself, books, diplomas and other materials.  If you can secure a meeting location, at little or no cost, this can reduce the registration fees.

Are there Scholarships or discounts for military or Senior Citizens?  –  Yes, some Santa organizations offer special Scholarships to attend our School or one of the other recognized Santa Claus schools or training programs.  Check with your local or state Santa Association.   

Cherry Hill Programs also offers scholarships to some of the new Santas who sign on to work for them.  Generally Cherry Hill Programs will cover the cost of the first day of training, which is the basic work of a Santa and what they feel their Santas need to know.  Contact Ruby or Lonnie at Cherry Hill Programs and tell them Santa Tim referred you.  Ruby Wright  856-209-4980   or  Lonnie Nitschke  856-209-5383

There are no discounts for veteran’s or seniors, as 1) the average age of a school attendee is 63, and 2) over 50% are veterans.  So all discounts have been figured into the registration fees for all students.

Instructor Arrival – I generally arrive Friday Evening. However should I be arriving early, I can meet with anyone on Friday evening.   My departure will either be on Sunday evening or  Monday morning.  Should I stay over Sunday Night, I can also meet with anyone.

Should you have other questions, I welcome them.  Just e-mail me:  Santa@School4Santas.com