Question about academic scholarships

[hniu]

In addition to saving money, does academic scholarship have any other benefits? In particular, would academic scholarship (received at 11+ exam) give you any advantage when applying to 6form/university?

Thanks in advance!

[PettsWoodParadise]

One school that offered us a scholarship tried to explain the benefits of DD's name appearing on the 'scholars' board in the main hall, hand painted in gold. . Apart from the small pecuniary advantage and a name on an old dusty board. We couldn't see any other benefit but each school might be different.

[happygardening]

Nowadays academic scholarships often don't have any financial reward its purely a status thing especially at super selective schools. Having said this its not uncommon that only scholars will be considered for bursaries. But bursaries are obviously means tested.
In some schools you get put on a a scholarship programme where for example you attend special lectures often given by well known experts in a variety of fields.

[Lurkedforever1]

Dds is only tiny, and tbh I haven't really given it much thought. Hers is topped up to full with a bursary, and at hers afaik nothing that special goes with it, at least nothing a child also at that end of the schools ability spectrum can't also attend iyswim? Her school doesn't only offer bursaries to scholars do not essential that way. She's only y7 so maybe that will change, but I doubt it will matter outside her school in the real world. Might be another line for a uni application but is hardly going to swing anything for her. More kudos than anything else.

[AnotherNewt]

It'll enhance an academic CV if you are going into academia, but I wouldn't put it much more strongly than that and of course it depends on the academic reputation of the school. Having been a Kings or Queens scholar is going to carry more weight than an award by St-Crap-In-Ditch, not because it actually tells you anything about the brainpower of each but because people know that standard of the former and don't about the latter.

Some schools have enrichment programmes for scholars. Worth asking about if you're still at the hopeful stage.

Also, remember that more and more scholarships are purely honorary, or have a token amount attached. It's not necessarily tied in to the bursary system, which is the type of award to look for if you need fairly hefty financial assistance, so check how your candidate schools arrange things.

[IvySquirrel]

My DS has an academic scholarship awarded at 11+ and is now in year 11. It gives us 10% off fees, an enrichment programme (extra trips, lectures etc), an annual dinner and the honour (name in school record books, boasting over his brother....).

It has never crossed my mind that it could advantage him in later life. He is staying at the school for sixth form and will keep the scholarship. I suppose it might be worth putting on a UCAS form, or the school might mention in their reference. Agree that the weight it carries with uni admissions tutor will probably depend on academic reputation of the school.

[exexpat]

Not sure about the CV thing, but DD has an academic scholarship (worth about 10% off fees) and the scholars at her school get given extra opportunities/enrichment activities, e.g. this term they have an academic from the local university running philosophy sessions for the scholars once a week, which she has been really enjoying. She is also more likely to be picked for other extracurricular events and competitions. She wishes she also had an art scholarship, as the art scholars get to do extra art-related stuff too.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

It is the enrichment program that is the real benefit. DD has a mentor ( a member staff who supports her who has similar interests) the numbers of times you see them is minimum 4 times a term, but can be more for example year 9 sports scholar on UK swimming talent program sees mentor who is head of pe (previous GB netball player) every week.
There is then the challenge and extension program in the spring term this is an essay and presentation designed to gradually prepare them for completing the EPQ. Autumn and summer terms there are talks from various individuals.

[IDK]

Benefit? DS got a gong to hang around his neck on speech day.

He didn't mention being a scholar on his UCAS form because it would be a bit embarrassing since the school he didn't fulfil his potential. I doubt many would tbf: if the best thing you can talk about, at age 17/18, is a prize you won seven years ago then there is something seriously wrong.

[disquit2]

It'll enhance an academic CV if you are going into academia.

I really don't think it would.

Even undergraduate prizes and scholarships are pretty irrelevant for an academic CV. (Academics have to do well at undergraduate level to get postgraduate funding so many or most academics will have undergraduate prizes of some kind.) For an academic CV it's the most recent achievements (grants, conference talks etc) which matter.

I think it would look pretty silly to mention school scholarships from 11 or 13 on UCAS forms and on your academic CV later on in an academic career.

Occasionally a school UCAS reference includes it briefly "X came to us as a King's Scholar...." but no more than this. I certainly wouldn't assume that an applicant was better because he had a scholarship, even at a top school: 11+/13+ scholars are not always those who do best at sixth form. As mentioned above scholarship standards also vary a lot from school to school.

[LIZS]

It is something to mention of UCAS personal statement but doesn't carry any additional weight in an application.

[Hoppinggreen]

DD has just been awarded one and on the offer letter it did say that it would be something she could mention in future school/uni applications. No idea if it would make any difference but we are happy to get it for. Financial reasons anyway.

[Drinkstoomuchcoffee]

DS1 has an academic scholarship combined with a music scholarship which cumulatively represents a substantial saving, despite no added bursary. Also gets to wear a special jumper and prance around in a cassock on special occasions. Main advantage is that the academic scholarship makes him work harder as does not want non scholars to do better than him in exams.

[pinkcan]

No personal experience but I have a friend whose son received a scholarship for 11+. His school hand out a lot of low value scholarships - perhaps 10-15 scholarships but of very low value (5-10% off fees). there must be some reason for this as it's now typical. In the old days, there would be 1 scholarship worth 100% of the fees (or maybe split into two, 50% each for 2 dc). But basically only one scholarship.

Perhaps it is good for future applications and that's why they do it.

[Findnanny]

My friends have a daughter who was offered 100% bursary without a mean test and their total income are more than 100k. Its called bursary however infact its a scholarship, it depends how much the school want your child I think. This is the only instance I heard of without a mean test

[angelcake20]

DS has one of two small academic 11+ scholarships. Apart from the financial benefit he gets nothing. None of his classmates or the teachers know who has them unless they happened to spot when it was published in the broadsheets. I think it's much better like this - no pressure on him or any teasing. I have always assumed in was just to try and attract the pupils they wanted more to the school.

[Marmitelover55]

I think more, lower value scholarships is to attract bums on seats.

[eatyourveg]

drinkstoomuchcoffee ds also had an academic scholarship combined with a music one as well as a bursary. No special jumper though, just a special tie and the expectation that he show up at various school functions. He did mention it in his personal statement for his ucas application but I doubt it made the slightest bit of difference to his application.

[Hoppinggreen]

find DD's scholarship is 50% with no means testing, she had to do an exam and an interview . There were about 40 children who took it' some from the prep and some not ( DD isn't) and they gave 1 in each category.

[Findnanny]

In the offer they called it a bursary(100%) after her 7+ entrance exam and interview. We all think that was a scholarship as the family total income shouldnt pass the mean test and there wasnt a mean test. She is a very bright girl