What Are Private School Bursaries?
Here in the UK, we have two types of schools; state schools that are government funded through taxes and private schools that require fees. Many parents decide to send their children to the latter for a higher quality of education.
Unfortunately for the majority, they aren’t an accessible option which is why private schools offer bursaries and scholarships. Bursaries are means tested grants, meaning they do not need to be paid back. They are awarded to pupils to cover their tuition fees and provide an opportunity for those that otherwise would not be able to study at an independent school. To give more of an insight into how they work, below is some guidance from a girls school in London.
Who Is Eligible?
There is a means tested criteria and ultimately families must demonstrate that they require monetary support. The minimum criteria will vary depending on the school you’re looking at, but to provide an indication as to who can apply, bursaries can typically be granted to those with a gross household income of up to £126,000 per annum. Assets may also be taken into consideration. Depending on individual circumstances, pupils may be awarded full bursaries to cover their entire tuition fee, or partial bursaries to ease the cost.
How Do Bursaries Differ from Scholarships?
Scholarships provide financial support but differ in the sense that they are not means tested. They instead focus on a child’s academic ability in subjects such as music, sport, or art, etc. It’s worth noting that support can be combined as they can both be accessed at the same time.
If you’re thinking of looking into schools for your child, it’s definitely worthwhile looking at independent schools as there may be support available. Details on how to apply can be found on individual school websites.
