Would an income of 35k be low enough to apply for a bursary (private school)?

[FrancescaMild]

DD goes to a large independent school. I am on 35k (single mum) and I have been able to afford the fees quite fine (prep school was almost 14k a year). The senior school goes up to 18k and then I would begin to drop below 20k and that's not really possible I don't think... Of course it is, but I'd then have to start cutting back. I currently live on 21k and there is only me and her so it's been okay as I'm good with money really, etc.

However, I've been looking and apparently you can get financial help for if your income is up to 60k!? I thought it would have been around 25k... I know the best thing to do would be to ask the school but thought I'd ask here first, they definitely do offer burseries (1/5 kids get some form of financial help) but no idea what their financial income cut off is.

Thanks

It's usually on the school website. Or just ask the bursar. Nobody on here is going to be able to tell you the specific situation for your daughter's school.

N dependent schools all do their own thing.

The closest one to me has a few criteria, not just income. So income is 60k but you can't have a stay at home parent (ie not maximising you earnings) and you can't have equity in your house which is greater that the average house price in the town.
This is one of the more generous schools.

Private schools set their own bursary policies. You should be able to find this on the school website or you can request a copy from the school.

Every school is different, speak to the Bursar. I'd say you're in with a good chance on that salary, very impressed you managed to afford it so far!

Ah okay I thought it might be a known thing! I'll have to ask then. Thank you :)

The independent schools I'm familiar with are invariably rather keen to assist sole, working parents. If your school has the funds you could probably have been awarded some bursary help before now!

So definitely ask. The only thing is - they are highly likely to have already alloted all the coming year's money. It's still possible that, if it's clear your child might have to leave without financial help they could do something. (This would depend on just how much they want to keep her there.)

A solution would be to not send your child to private school if you can't afford to?

But, if your school can subsidise you, contact them and fine out how.

But I can afford it I have no issue paying for it and will pay for secondary at 18k too, I can live off of the money left. It's just stretching it a bit so figured I'd ask. The education she gets is worth every penny.

wowbutter Educating the children of people who can't afford it is part of the (founding and continuing) ethos of the most forward thinking independent schools. (The mix of financial backgrounds invigorates the school environment and, I imagine, they generally hope that less well off children will be motivated to work hard and enhance the school!s reputation when they leave.)

OP your DD is going to become more expensive in all sorts of ways as she gets older. Ask - and take everything that's on offer.

I used to audit a number of private schools, including bursary applications, and on your salary as a single parent, you absolutely would be considered for further financial help.

However, you do need to consider your assets. Do you have a lot of capital in your property if you own it, or do you rent? Do you have a lot in savings or investments? Do you drive an Audi Q7 or a ten year old Fiesta? Do you go skiing or holiday in exotic locations or are you camping in Wales for your main holiday?

Some people find the process very intrusive, but it is designed to assist the people who really could use the extra help. The school bursars are extremely helpful and very discrete.

Don't let some of the negative comments above about affordability put you off applying. It would appear that you are looking for a shortfall in fees as opppsed to a full bursary (I.e. You can afford to pay for the fees at your current level but not more). If your child had something to offer the school then you stand just as must chance as the next person.

I will echo the sentiment though that you might need a Plan B if you can't afford it and you are not successful with a bursary application. There are some great state schools out there and they are so worth a look. Don't dismiss them out of hand.