Educational funding such as scholarships and bursaries are available for some students to apply for. Our guide covers the different types of funding and how to increase your child’s chances of receiving an award.
It is usually students who are strong in one or more areas who are successful when it comes to securing scholarships. This could be academic excellence, or talent in music or sport.
Scholarships don’t tend to have great financial value. However, in some cases such as sport or music, they can include additional specialist one-to-one support which is otherwise unavailable. Typically overall fee remission is 10% of education fees but not boarding fees. Scholarships do not depend on family income or wealth as they are not means tested.
Most schools require scholarship applicants to attend their scholarship day. This allows for all applicants to have equal opportunity.
In most schools, a scholarship may be ‘topped up’ with a bursary if needed.
Bursaries are mainly assessed on family financial means, however merit also impacts an applicant’s chances. Schools have different rules regarding bursaries and not all are available for international students. In all cases, parents must complete an application with specific financial details as well as their declaration of need. Schools use this to establish each child’s individual situation.
Bursaries are often re-assessed each year to ensure only the neediest receive financial support. However, some may be awarded for the child’s entire education providing they continue to benefit fully from it.
Each school sets its own financial criteria – what they believe is reasonable for parents to afford – and award their bursaries accordingly. Some schools prefer to have a greater number of smaller bursaries while some prefer to offer up to 100% scholarships for very needy pupils. These awards tend to go to outstanding UK pupils who otherwise could never consider an education at their school. Some schools are able to offer greater bursary provision than others.
Application timescales for bursaries also vary by individual schools. However, the earlier a child’s place is confirmed, the more time parents have to complete a strong application before the deadline, if there is one.
Unsurprisingly schools have different application age criteria. Bursaries are most commonly granted to senior school students in Years 9, 10, or 12.
Unfortunately there is no secret route to securing scholarships or bursaries for your child’s education. Each school’s funding programmes are unique, however they all want students who will benefit from and add to school life. If your child does not secure financial support, this doesn’t mean that the school does not want them. They have offered your child a place, so they believe they are a great match – it’s just that, like most parents, they need you to pay the full fees.
Our top tips are to:
Good luck!
If you’re searching for the perfect school for your child, contact us today and let us help you find it.
This article appears in the following categories Scholarships & Bursaries
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