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Original poster

Grants to top up a private school bursary

55 replies

Turri · 02/02/2024 20:23

My daughter has been awarded a bursary for a private school, but it only covers 50% of the fees, leaving £3.5k per term to find. As a single mother working on minimum wages its not something I can cover. Can anyone recommend a grant that might help? I can only find them for children of armed forces, doctors, or those already at the school. Many thanks!

OP posts:
Parsley1234 · 02/02/2024 20:59

50% is really generous most don’t offer that much hopefully you can find a way

mrsm43s · 02/02/2024 20:58

Bursaries are a mix of "means tested" based on your income and "how much the school wants the child" based on their performance in the entrance exams.

The shortfall is either because your child didn't perform well enough that the school really, really wants them or because you have other sources of income that you could release that you're not prepared to (e.g equity or savings).

If you don't have assets that you can release (e.g house equity), then, unfortunately, you probably just need to accept it's not doable for you.

Pinkpinkplonk · 02/02/2024 20:52

The Scholarship hub?

QuaterMiss · 02/02/2024 20:50

Is it too late to apply to any other suitable, bursary awarding schools? A different one might be willing / able to offer more. I realise that might be impractical or impossible at this stage, though.

Is there a reason why you weren’t offered more? Do you have considerable assets or close family in a position to help? Would it actually be impossible for her to attend without more financial assistance?

twistyizzy · 02/02/2024 20:48

No that's what the bursary is for! If you can't afford the remainder of the fees then you can't afford for your daughter to attend. Remember you have to add on top of fees: uniform (up to 1K initial outlay), transport, lunches etc. Most private schools the kids have their own devices ie ipad/laptop too..