Worried how you can afford to pay for your little darlings to attend private school? Well, help might be at hand - if your child is among the lucky few to get a full bursary. It’s estimated that about 150,000 children who attend independent schools, or about one-third, receive some financial assistance to pay with their school fees, which can be £9,000 per term – or even more.
Bursaries can be partial or full, and come from either the school itself or charitable trusts and companies. Each school has different criteria concerning who gets what, which means every application will be looked at individually, no matter how many schools you apply for.
The good news is that the number of bursaries has increased as the government cut down the number of assisted places. In order to qualify for tax benefits as charities, many private schools use bursaries as a way of proving they are working for the public benefit.
What is a Bursary?
Bursaries are usually awarded after a student has been accepted to the school, usually on the basis of an entrance exam. Sometimes a potential student will also have to pass an interview with flying colours in order to gain admission as well.
In virtually all cases, bursaries are then awarded on the basis of financial need. Your family will be scrupulously means-tested to determine whether your child should get a bursary, and how much.
As schools have limited means at their disposal, the amount of a bursary will vary. Some schools award several 100 per cent bursaries, which means that the fees will, in effect, be waived. Others will give partial bursaries, which can range from as little as 10 per cent of the cost and upwards.
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Scholarships differ from bursaries in that they are awarded purely on merit, without taking the financial status of the applicant into consideration. Pupils applying to some secondary schools can get a scholarship on the basis of art, music, drama or sport, for example.
In some cases, only a partial scholarship is awarded – such as ten per cent of the total cost of fees. Often this is done to tip the scales in favour of one school over another – parents would be more likely to send their child to a school that not only costs ten per cent less, but also valued their child enough to offer them a discount.
Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.
Applying for a Bursary
It’s important to keep in mind that every independent school will have its own criteria for who gets a bursary, and how much. Harrow school, for example, awards bursaries to students who have already received scholarships, or a “financial award for excellence”, but who cannot afford the full fees.
Scholarships are awarded for academic ability in a specific area, such as music or athletics, and can result in a fee reduction of 5 to 10 per cent of the total. Bursaries at Harrow are up to 100 per cent, according to their website. Although it is not clear how many are awarded every year, the total monetary amount spent on bursaries equals almost £1 million per year.
Specialised Bursaries
Some schools or charitable trusts and organisations offer bursaries for specific children only, or fee reductions for children who come from certain families. You will need to research which schools offer these provisions and see if they apply to you. Among the children who can benefit are:
- Children of clergy
- Children whose parents are in the armed forces
- Orphans
- Children from single-parent families
getting a bursary.
I’m looking a good private school for my children. I live in Manchester. How to apply for bursary and or scholarships for sixth form. My child is 14y.
Thanks
Novera
Thanks
My son turning to 13y next month. Would it be possible for him to get a independent school education with a support of bursary.
I am a single parent.
Thank you
I have a daughter turning 12 years on July end.She is in grade 6 this year.I am a single parent who is unemployed, I would like my daughter to attend at private school, she is a brilliant child, I would appreciate for a bursary for her.
Thank you.
Please i am willing to give you all the details about my life and family.
looking forward to hearing from you very soon.
princess
And a 90% achiever in mathematics
Please help l cannot afford Glenwood fees with boarding fees
Busary of grade 1,I want to take my children's to the private school where the can also do sport like swimming which the like so much,there are 6 year old,I want to give them the opportunity that I didn't never get when I was your due to the appathied from South Africa that affect many households
From South africa, my parent never went to school so want my children's getting the opportunity so themself one day can give back to the community
I hope that you can help me out with getting a bursary.
Thanks
-Lee
I have a kid who is in grade 2, he is smart, superb, dedicated. He got 100% in mathematics and the lowest percent in grade 1 subjects is 95%. Please help me on getting him a best private school and bursary. I am currently unemployed as we know South African economy. I dont want to deprive his education by failing him. I will really appreciate your assistance. I am Bheki from Bergville (KZN).
we are in Uganda, I will be glad to help me out.
I'm in Uganda, I will be glad to help me
I'm a single parent and I'm very interested in taking my son to a good school and I've visited one school and interested in others that can offer my son a place. He is 3 years old and very bright. He loves to read, write and create stories.
I would really like some help on getting him enrolled in a good school. Thank you
I desperately need a bursary for my sister's kid. He is presently in grade 7. He is brilliant at school and soccer. His mother was retranched in 2013, since then she can't seem to find a job. Even to afford school uniform. They survive with my mother' pension money (social grand) I'm afraid if we don't get a bursary for him he will end up leaving school.
I would really want to get this bursary because I think I deserve it
Yours truly.
Rhulani
Kindly assist.
i have a daughter who will be doing Grade RR next year. Any advice on how to get a bursary / scholarship for her studies that will start her from primary
I will be greatfull to recieve that help. I am Ugandan...
It was a devastating Moment for me to know that My milestone has passed away . At this very moment of 2015 am stranded with Money to study for Wildlife film making .
I am poverty striken I can not even afford a simple fee for studying .
I hope for a better consideration.
Kind regards:
I.P Manamela
We did receive 45% of her fees in bursaries, however I have found this past year exceedingly difficult. I was behind with her fees by less than a term by just over half a term's fees. I received a letter asking that I not send her back 5 days before this past term ended. The head mistress who is leaving (end of August) was particularly unpleasant and extremely insensitive and unsympathetic. I phoned her and sent e-mails asking could my daughter please finish the term since only 5 days were remaining. She said you must leave the school you cannot afford it anyway. She said she would not allow my daughter to remain at school unless I agreed to leave the school. I was shocked. In the last 18 months my daughter has coped with my illness, the loss of her step father, my near fatal complicated surgery and the potential fear of losing her mother. I under duress agreed as she would not agree to anything else. I did not want her to experience the disappointment 5 days before the term ended.
The incoming head begins her post on the first of September at the school.
I need advice as my daughter likes the school and is very settled there and she starts her GCSE studies in September. I have protected her from the knowledge of everything this week.
I would like to apply for additional bursaries but would I ask the existing organisations for a possible increase, in addition any advice regarding how to manage and deal with this situation would be appreciated.
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