Grants to top up a private school bursary

Any funds available from the child's father?

You could try a Go Fund Me page. 🙂

If not, cut your losses and rely on your daughter knuckling down, getting the most out of her state school and being self-reliant with the many educational resources available online. It's what many other children have to do, and the reason why universities give contextual offers.

I’m aware of a grant making foundation that will fund boarding school for a child who is better off away from home. Application needs support from professionals involved in the family to verify the situation.

Hmm … I’m afraid you were perhaps poorly advised by the school. Only a tiny handful of people are successful in finding substantial long term funding through charitable grants. Have they put you in touch with other parents who have successfully taken this route? It’s the least they can do after raising false hopes.

I do feel bad for your daughter - but if you needed a larger amount you need to apply to schools that can offer that.

They mist have assessed that you had assets then in order to fund the other 50%

Oh dear …

Don’t hate me, but did you know 50% was the maximum they would offer when you applied, or do they make higher awards to other pupils?

You haven’t responded to queries as to whether you have assets, investments or close family able to assist - which would all influence the amount you’ve been offered. (You don’t have to - but I hope you’ve been given the reason for this disappointing offer?)

Obviously a day school, at £21k per year, presumably girls or co-ed with 11+ entry? Forgive me if incorrect.

You may still find the right charitable help - but if you don’t, and find you have to withdraw from this application, I think you might be wise to investigate full boarding schools (as opposed to weekly boarding) with 13+ entry. That’s the most likely route to the size of bursary that would make it possible for your daughter to actually attend. Boarding schools are much wealthier and have higher income cut-offs because their fees are clearly very much higher.

(I’m aware that you may not have considered this option - some families / children like boarding, others don’t. It can work exceptionally well for single parents - but it’s a discussion for a different thread, maybe on the Boarding School board here.)

If schools really only offered maximum 50pc bursary they wouldn’t really be going for social diversity, would they? Just for people who could pay 3k a term instead of 6k. Doesn’t make any sense.

Have you gone back to the Bursar to explain it’s not enough? They may have more funds available, especially if some bursary places have been turned down.

@lolo99 if you read my previous post you might see why I feel qualified to comment.

Can’t comment on anyone else’s knowledge but there are quite a lot of independent school parents on MN.

Are all the comments from should and shouldn't from bursars? Otherwise it's just people's opinion.

Third party grant giving organisations that will pay school fees are extremely rare.

I know of some that are occupationally linked (clergy) and ones that will pay to the end of a school year (or end of GCSE/A level course) for pupils already in fee-paying schools whose families have major change in circumstance (typically death or critical illness of the main household earner - aim is as much to avoid further distress by precipitate change of school as it is to support education)

I cannot think of any that make grants for the whole school career of a pupil.

If the bursary is not sufficient for you to feel secure that you can make ends meet, then you will have to forego the place. Of course it's always worth asking the school if they can extend the amount of the bursary, but there are of course no guarantees that they will do so. But you lose nothing by asking.

Ask the school’s bursar to point you in the right direction. This is not an uncommon situation and they will have details of organisations who may offer ‘top ups’

i have direct experience of this and it is certainly possible.

This isn’t true. Although most bursaries will be prioritised for those kids who would
also qualify for scholarships.

It’s true the possibilities are more limited for girls, as girls’ schools are historically less well endowed.

Our family has recent experience of 100% bursaries at both prep and public school - but that was for boys.

@Turri - you’re likely to find the most generous bursary awards at the wealthiest full boarding schools. And they’re generally keen to bring in promising pupils from single parent / not well off households.

The schools that offer 100% tend to be Eton et al most schools have a 10% scholarship marker plus 50% max bursary contribution unless the child is exceptionally gifted. Disclaimer we received 50% at prep and public which was the max offered

It is definitely not uncommon for uniform to cost 1K if you include sports kit as well. DDs came to 1.2K inc 2 x types trainers, hockey sticks, school shoes + bag.

Deleted post as it’s not relevant sorry. (Pointed to educational grants but looks like they are for age 16+ only).

50pc isn’t ’really generous’ if a single parent is on minimum wage. Most schools have the option of 100pc bursaries, and many offer something like 110pc to cover uniform, lunches, coach, trips etc

It’s very rare for uniform to cost anything like 1k either. That’s scaremongering. Ours was around £300 all in. There are also lots of second hand sales

Why is it absurd?

Because it's an absurd question to ask in the first place ?

If there are grants available that is great. I hope OP can find something to help.

@Potterinthegarden - why comment when you clearly don’t know anything about the range of grants specifically to help fund private schooling?

I don't think you will find any funding unfortunately.

Private schooling isn't an option for the majority (me included - though I don't mind!). Hopefully you have a reasonable state option.