Ask for a scholarship?

[Missmillsie]

Hello all, my DS started yr7 in a small independent school after being at a state school for 6 weeks. He’s settled in beautifully and he’s really happy. Lately he’s been asking about scholarships. (Talk amongst his friends)
As he started 6 weeks into the term they probably didn’t consider him for a scholarship as they knew we really wanted to move his out of his old school and to attend his current one so we were prepared to pay full whack anyway. But am wondering, can we ask to be considered for a scholarship now or is it too late do you think? My son is keen so I’m thinking to give it a go? No harm in asking?

Opinions welcome 😊

[sooooooonowwhat]

Hi Miss - did he sit an entrance exam? If so most academically selective schools will automatically let you know if your ds is eligible for an academic scholarship although not sure how that works if he is joining later than the usual 11+ timeline. Normally scholarships are a way to get the school to entice the candidates they really want at the school, so again unlikely to offer them once you are already there. Fwiw I know the schools do offer scholarships regardless of how keen you seem on the school, it's really about how your ds performs and how much they want him. Or are you looking at co-curricular scholarships like art/drama/sport etc? I suspect it will be difficult to get a scholarship once you are already at the school, unless they offer scholarships later on (at 13+ for example) in which case most schools allow internal candidates to apply too. I'm sure someone else can shed more light on it but hope that info is helpful!

[montenotte]

I think you'd be wasting your time tbh...

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Scholarship in what?

Ours are reviewed annually at our school.

[camcam1]

My son is in his first year at an independent. He has been told by a teacher he should apply for a scholarship for third year (for a specific subject), which if awarded could reduce fees by up to 50%. So I don’t think there is any harm in asking. Check your sons school website. Does it state they offer scholarships internally at any other year points other than the first year?

[Witchend]

I don't think you can "ask" for a scholarship. If they were that easy to get then everyone would ask wouldn't they.

Ime most scholarships are for external students coming into the school, usually in year 7, but maybe year 9 and sometimes year 12. They're meant as an encouragement to the top end to come to the school.
Occasionally the year 9 one and year 12 one may be open to internal candidates, but I suspect all things being equal they will choose someone from outside.

I have very occasionally come across a situation where someone speaks to the school about struggling financially and have been offered a scholarship. That's only happened ime where it's been a child who is right at the exceptional end.

Check the school's website, or ask if there are internal ones available.

I would tell your ds that he wasn't considered for one simply because he didn't apply at the same time and they award them only at certain points to the best of those at the time. That hopefully will mean he is taken out of any competitive discussions about it because it isn't that the ones who got one are necessarily better, but that he wasn't competing to get one with them.

[russsa]

Just ask - all schools have different policies. Quite frustrating really, but it seems with a lot of schools those that at least ask get more.

[Missmillsie]

Thank you for your replies. Have a lovely Easter! X

[Rudi44]

Is it a scholarship or a bursary you are after? Scholarships or exhibitions can sometimes be as low as 5% and are often considered to be more honorary. Bursary's are means tested and they will want to see evidence of earnings, value of property and cars etc. At some schools bursarys can be up to 100%. They tend to come from a pot of money which at this point in the year may be spent but you might qualify to next year but I would get in quick. Our school has just confirmed our bursary for next September.
I would definitely ask though

[Rudi44]

Oh and our school does have internal scholarships as well as external. So it maybe that once he reaches yr 9 there will be some open to him. Your school website should give details of what's available to whom.

[LadyLapsang]

As Rudi states, are you interested in a means-tested fee reduction (bursary) or an academic (or other) scholarship. It used to be common for academic scholarships to be much more generous than they are today, I knew high income families where the children received 30-50% scholarships. Today the trend is towards helping (relatively) low income families, although depending on the fees and the family income, assistance can continue until 80K plus.