Scholarships & Bursaries

[Tigerblue]

Rather than go onto Sixth Form, DD wants to look into applying for a music Scholarship. I understand bursaries are income related and wonder if there's a scale somewhere that would give us an idea of how much help we might qualify for as I'm worried this is going to stretch us too much.

[exexpat]

It depends entirely on which school(s) you are applying to. If you call them, they will usually give you all the information you need.

[Tigerblue]

Thanks for your reply - I'll give them a call.

[Gruach]

It might be sensible to ensure you have thoroughly read all the relevant information on individual schools' websites first.

Even if you have a particular place in mind it's helpful to compare a few so you gain some idea of the range of possibilities.

And without seeing a detailed breakdown of your income, assets and outgoings (and having a chance to consider your daughter's potential) it's unlikely that they could give you any definitive answer over the phone.

[Tigerblue]

Gruach, thanks again for your reply. She has three places in mind. She going to an open morning this weekend for one, so hopefully they can give us a rough idea.

I phoned the school that states it requires a higher standard - the music department stated she's exactly the level they'd want so. No one available in bursary department, but I was put through to Head who was helpful about process.

I think we'll just have to go through the process and see what if anything is offered scholarship wise and then if we are comfortable with the amount required.

[Gruach]

That is the way it usually works.

No shortcuts or secret handshakes.

(Which is why back ups are rather vital.)

[Pradaqueen]

Tiger - join the musicians thread in extra curricular activities. Plenty of parents on there with kids attending specialist music schools or with music scholarships. There is a particular government grant I think to allow kids to attend dance and music schools full time if you are thinking about that. Sorry the grant name escapes me but someone on there will know. Hope you enjoyed your open day today. Re: bursaries there are form to complete before you apply and are very detailed about your financial situation and will normally give an outline of the level of assistance available. It is about income left after commitments generally not just income level.

[Gruach]

Ah ... Yes, if you meant specialist music schools I gather the bursary route is slightly different.

My comments were focused on non-specialist independent schools offering music scholarships for sixth form. Apologies if I've only added to uncertainty! (Though perhaps such schools might be an alternative?)

[Pradaqueen]

No I meant both! Plenty of advice on that thread.

[Witchend]

Round here a lot of the music scholarships give you free music tuition for 1 or sometimes 2 instruments. in return you have to play in the orchestra, sing in the choir and perform whenever they want you to... I suspect the money isn't worth the commitment by a long way.

[drummersmum]

I suspect the money isn't worth the commitment by a long way
But the money is not supposed to pay for the commitment. The point is, that commitment is what your child is supposed to enjoy and want to do in his/her free time anyway as a music scholar. If they're not into music then don't apply. It's got to be a passion.

[Gruach]

And, of course, being awarded a scholarship is quite often the gateway to bursaries.

[Pradaqueen]

Agreed Drummersmum. the scholarships are designed for students with a passion and to encourage/ guide the music career of those who otherwise would not have access to the advice or tuition level. Invaluable to some families especially when combined with a bursary. It's not a route to simply save x% per annum off a 'posh school'. As some of us know, lengthy individual lessons (45/60mins) on more than one instrument are very expensive and beyond the means of many families. whilst some might not think 'worth the commitment' I disagree entirely. All school differ on the level of financial assistance offered for talented musicians. Go for it OP and good luck.

[Witchend]

Absolutely drummersmum. But the Op is clearly looking for money off because she states in the OP she is "worried this might stretch us too much" and in a later post "what if anything is offered scholarship wise and then if we are comfortable with the amount required"
which implies to me that she is looking for money off the fees to be able to afford it.

And not everyone wants that sort of commitment. I do know a couple of people who turned down sports' scholarships which had similar levels because they decided that they would rather have the Saturdays doing their usual sports team rather than having to play for the school one.