Wellington College - bursaries question

[thehappyhamster]

DS is at a small, relatively modest prep school. We're considering Wellington College at 13+. Our problem is that we couldn't afford the fees without really stretching the rest of the family (no holidays, economies on everything, battered old car - a first world problem I know). My question is: if DS got a scholarship and we applied for a bursary, what level of income is likely to attract a bursary? I really don't want to put us through all this if, ultimately, we can't afford to send him.

[happygardening]

I think you need to speak directly to the bursar at Wellington. From what I understand the level of income where a bursary kicks in varies from school to school, according to how committed the school really is to the concept of widening access, how much money that have available for bursaries and how many apply for financial assistance. Pretty obviously the maximum income level before you're not eligible for a bursary is going to be much higher for boarding schools. bursaries

[thehappyhamster]

Thank you happygardening, you're right, that does seem to be the best way to go. I must admit to feeling a bit daunted about having the conversation directly but need to stop being such a wimp!

[happygardening]

I think you'll find bursary are quite comfortable having these conversations.

[Zodlebud]

It's not just income that a bursar would look at. Property, investments and non cash assets are all taken into consideration. If you have considerable equity in your property then you would be expected to remortgage to contribute towards fees.

There is therefore not only just a maximum income threshold but a number of other factors.

I used to audit a number of independent schools and the bursars were all extremely lovely, very approachable, and will make you feel comfortable discussing everything.

[happygardening]

I think different schools take different views on assets property etc. I understand from reading comments on here that some aren't interested in them and others expect you to detail everything from the washing machine to the Monet. Bite the bullet OP and have a frank and honest discussion with the bursar, hopefully you'll get some sort of answer one way or the other.

[DSandDD]

As per PP - contact the bursar's office - They will send out a form which you need to fill detailing income and expenditure, send copies of returns, mortgage statements etc. and they will be able to give you an indication of a High/Medium/Low level of bursarial support. Obviously the exact amount can't be determined until they know how many apply for a bursary and if your DC achieves the scholarship.. Good luck.

[ChocolateWombat]

I would expect that if you are already at a Prep school you might not qualify, if you have been able to afford those fees yourself without having help from someone else.

Most schools will want to know about equity in property, savings and investments etc. Bursaries are not given to fund a lifestyle choice. If people can make choices such as re-mortgaging, going out to work, using savings etc, then they are expected to do so. I think many schools now use a standard bursary questionnaire and documents which says things like it is expected that both parents will work, unless there are very small children or other good reasons not to, expensive holidays, cars and 2nd properties wouldn't usually be considered reasonable whilst receiving a bursary and people are expected to remortgage.
Personally, I think this is all as it should be. Why should a school subsidise a place for a child so that family can continue to have expensive holidays and cars, whilst other families make big sacrifices to send their kids there. Bursaries need to be there to allow children who couldn't otherwise afford to be there, once sensible sacrifices have been made.
That said, schools won't expect you never to replace your car,not have no equity or to ever go on holiday. You aren't expected to live a life with no comforts at all. However, expect to have to reveal lots of personal information every year and to have to dig around for lots of paperwork.
Most schools will suggest an income above which you are unlikely to qualify for anything. Here in Surrey, local schools tend to indicate that an income of above £70k will mean a bursary is very unlikely (that income includes everything such as interest payments, any benefits etc) and that an income below £25k may result in a full bursary. Some schools such as the Whitgift foundation have a sliding scale of expected contribution on their website according to income. As a rich foundation, they are very generous and will provide bursaries to families with higher incomes than most schools.
Definitely speak to the bursar. One thing that frequently comes up on MN is that people read the website and saw£X mentioned, but when it came to it, were offered far less. I would ask the bursar how many bursaries of the higher amounts have been offered in the last couple of years. And as others have said, don't be embarrassed! They have these conversations all the time and want to give out the pot of money.

Sounds like you can afford independent fees of some type. Definitely worth looking too at schools you could afford without help.

[Gruach]

I would expect that if you are already at a Prep school you might not qualify, if you have been able to afford those fees yourself without having help from someone else.

Oh, but there's a vast difference in fees between a 'modest' prep and Wellington!

But, OP, have you had any conversation with your current Head? Does the prep regularly send to Wellington? Is your child doing noticeably well at school at the moment? Do they have a scholarship there? Etc.

The main criteria for the senior school (within reason) will be just how much they want your child. And really, it's primarily up to your prep to highlight said child's potential brilliance to Wellington. (Which give you the confidence to apply with a degree of certainty about the outcome.)

[middleclassonbursary]

"Here in Surrey, local schools tend to indicate that an income of above £70k will mean a bursary is very unlikely"
If your joint income is say £75k (pre tax) and assuming you have an average mortgage and usual outgoings you are not going to be in a position to afford boarding school fees now coming in at nearly £40k a year. My DH reckoned to be able to afford one child to go comfortably you're going need an income of £120K PA.
Our joint income was more than £70K but no where near £120K and we a substantial bursary from our DS's school.
OP have you set your heart on Wellington? I suspect your DS is in year 5/6 if yes have you looked at Eton, which you can register for in yr 6 depending when your DS's birthday is or Winchester although you may he too late to register, both offer very substantial bursaries.

[thehappyhamster]

thank you so much for all these great posts and detailed thoughts and advice. I've been out of action over the weekend so just catching up...I need to re-read and digest your comments later this evening. It is definitely true that I need to be less coy about having the discussion and I am encouraged to hear how approachable the bursars generally are. Having squeezed every bit out of our budget to afford prep school fees, the jump up to almost 3 times that amount at 13+ could not be achieved without selling the villa in Tuscany (only joking! there is no villa, no trust fund, just 2 parents working for a middle class income ;-) ) I shall try not to get fired for spending all day on mumsnet so will come back to this later but wanted to say a big thank you in the meantime.

[AspergersMum]

@thehappyhamster did you go with Wellington in the end? Can we have an update?

[whitecatsandblackcats]

@thehappyhamster I have the same queries re Wellington, did you ever get any additional info on the income levels required for bursaries?