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Original poster

Bursary interview- what does it involve?

29 replies

wigwoowig · 10/02/2023 16:59

Hello,

We applied for a bursary for a local independent school and had to send a lengthy financial form off and add copies of bank statements etc.

We now have an interview with them on Tuesday- what can we expect?! It's making me nervous!!

Thank you! Xx

OP posts:
Xiaoxiong · 10/02/2023 17:06

I think the interview is where they tell you what they can offer and give you a chance to discuss if necessary. Good luck and fingers crossed for you!

Original poster
wigwoowig · 10/02/2023 17:12

Xiaoxiong · 10/02/2023 17:06

I think the interview is where they tell you what they can offer and give you a chance to discuss if necessary. Good luck and fingers crossed for you!

Thank you! They have said it'll be up to 45min long. They have said;

"In order to complete the process, we are asked by Governors to confer with families to clarify the information provided on the application form and make sure they will understand your expenditure as well as your income so that if they are able to help you, they can offer a bursary at a level as close to your needs as possible."

OP posts:
Benchisen · 10/02/2023 19:26

@wigwoowig I don't think you should expect to be given a decision on a bursary amount during the interview itself.

We've done the bursary process twice with different schools in the past, and both times the interview was just a chance to answer a few more questions and go over the information on our forms to check we'd covered everything. It's not at all intimidating and both times the assessor was very friendly. In fact, in one interview the assessor advised us to increase the amount of one type of expenses for good reasons that we hadn't spotted ourselves.

Both times the assessor used our forms and the interview information to write a report for the bursary, and there was an interval of a few weeks between the interview and receiving a letter about the outcome.

ncsurrey22 · 10/02/2023 20:50

The bursar will go over the forms and aska few more details, some things on the bank statements that aren't clear, make sure you haven't forgotten anything and so forth. Have all your forms and bank account info ready so you can answer any question. They then finalise their report with a recommendation of what you can afford to the school. And then the school decides if they offer you the full amount calculated or a fraction of that, depending on their funds available. Good luck!

Original poster
wigwoowig · 13/02/2023 21:02

Why am I so nervous for this tomorrow!?

OP posts:
PettsWoodParadise · 14/02/2023 21:22

How did it go OP? I went through this many moons ago, there were some supportive questions but also some which weren’t realistic for us such as removing my expenses of commuting as they considered it was ok for me to cycle 12 miles to work and 12 miles back. We didn’t end up going down the private route for secondary and DD has been happy and thrived academically without private secondary education.

Original poster
wigwoowig · 15/02/2023 00:37

PettsWoodParadise · 14/02/2023 21:22

How did it go OP? I went through this many moons ago, there were some supportive questions but also some which weren’t realistic for us such as removing my expenses of commuting as they considered it was ok for me to cycle 12 miles to work and 12 miles back. We didn’t end up going down the private route for secondary and DD has been happy and thrived academically without private secondary education.

They changed the meeting last minute!!

So, it is now Monday.

That doesn't sound great. I did tell my partner that they might do similar with us. Or even suggest that we can't afford a private school lifestyle.

We shall see...

I am glad your child is doing so well though, that is good news.

OP posts:
PettsWoodParadise · 15/02/2023 08:11

Do you own your own home OP? That was the clincher for us, we had enough equity in our property to sell and pay fees outright for five years.

We provided respite care at weekends for my Dad who had dementia to give my mum a break so needed the spare bedroom so going to a 2 bed flat and renting in an affordable area we didn’t know, away from my mum and dad, wasn’t something we wanted above private education. Giving up all our equity would also make it near impossible to get back on the property ladder. We felt keeping the property and having a stable home in the only house she had known was a better option for our daughter than private education. We could have afforded some fees but not 100%. The scholarships were nominal.

We did also had some very good state options so it wasn’t that tough of a decision.

We did at least have that option of selling which I know some people don’t so the bursars quite rightly didn’t offer us anything, if I had known about the equity element I wouldn’t have gone through the whole process. I understand some schools don’t take the family home into account so it isn’t always that transparent.

Original poster
wigwoowig · 15/02/2023 08:30

PettsWoodParadise · 15/02/2023 08:11

Do you own your own home OP? That was the clincher for us, we had enough equity in our property to sell and pay fees outright for five years.

We provided respite care at weekends for my Dad who had dementia to give my mum a break so needed the spare bedroom so going to a 2 bed flat and renting in an affordable area we didn’t know, away from my mum and dad, wasn’t something we wanted above private education. Giving up all our equity would also make it near impossible to get back on the property ladder. We felt keeping the property and having a stable home in the only house she had known was a better option for our daughter than private education. We could have afforded some fees but not 100%. The scholarships were nominal.

We did also had some very good state options so it wasn’t that tough of a decision.

We did at least have that option of selling which I know some people don’t so the bursars quite rightly didn’t offer us anything, if I had known about the equity element I wouldn’t have gone through the whole process. I understand some schools don’t take the family home into account so it isn’t always that transparent.

Good morning!

No, we are renting (£1750pm!) and it's not a huge house either. Just rent is bloody expensive (we are Hampshire).

They really do look at everything don't they... my main worry is that my mum currently 'loans' us £5k a year to go towards dc prep fees. I have a feeling they will ask if she can loan us more. But she can't- she's retired and that's all she can do.

We also do not need 100%. But we do need near to 60% I'd say.

Our income is £55k yearly, and after everything our disposable income is next to nothing- (self employed, so varies).

OP posts:
MetaDaughter · 21/02/2023 09:41

How did it go? (And did you find the advice here useful?)

Presumably, as you said ‘local’ school, it isn’t boarding - as that would have involved a home visit as well?

I hope you felt you had the chance to cover everything you felt was important.

Original poster
wigwoowig · 21/02/2023 10:35

MetaDaughter · 21/02/2023 09:41

How did it go? (And did you find the advice here useful?)

Presumably, as you said ‘local’ school, it isn’t boarding - as that would have involved a home visit as well?

I hope you felt you had the chance to cover everything you felt was important.

Hello!

So, we had it yesterday. Lasted about 30 minutes. They didn't need any other info. Asked a few questions about work etc!

Now we just wait for them to send the report to school, for the school to have a meeting and then we shall hear.

Fingers are crossed! We really would need 50% at least.

It is a boarding school, but as you said it is local so dc won't need to board!

OP posts:
Gani · 20/03/2023 14:57

Just being curious and anxious, I have a meeting too on Monday. Have you heard back from the school?
Does getting a bursary meeting mean the child has a positive result? Thank you

Hellenabe · 24/03/2023 06:28

Hi Op,

They tended to go through my bursary form again and flesh it out so i had to tell them all the same details. I had to show my payslips but i am also mortgage free so nothing was needed there. They wanted to know about the banks i was with, and i had all the statements. It's very informal but my intuition felt there was a bit of a silent killer about it ie jokingly asking about what I paid initially for my home versus now, saying it wouldn't be noted down and it was just out of curiosity. Obviously I was honest about it all but I do think keep your wits about you.

I also feel its a lot about how you come across, can they trust what you are saying. I didnt need to provide tons of paperwork but they could see I had it all ready/was very organised

lolo99 · 15/06/2023 20:26

PettsWoodParadise · 15/02/2023 08:11

Do you own your own home OP? That was the clincher for us, we had enough equity in our property to sell and pay fees outright for five years.

We provided respite care at weekends for my Dad who had dementia to give my mum a break so needed the spare bedroom so going to a 2 bed flat and renting in an affordable area we didn’t know, away from my mum and dad, wasn’t something we wanted above private education. Giving up all our equity would also make it near impossible to get back on the property ladder. We felt keeping the property and having a stable home in the only house she had known was a better option for our daughter than private education. We could have afforded some fees but not 100%. The scholarships were nominal.

We did also had some very good state options so it wasn’t that tough of a decision.

We did at least have that option of selling which I know some people don’t so the bursars quite rightly didn’t offer us anything, if I had known about the equity element I wouldn’t have gone through the whole process. I understand some schools don’t take the family home into account so it isn’t always that transparent.

This was something that many have advised me wouldn't be expected to happen. To suggest selling your only home and go into a rental. Some schools say you can own a home.- surely. As long as the home isn't worth millions. In London, homes appear expensive but that is because they are.

Hellenabe · 15/06/2023 22:28

I was denied a bursary and told specifically it was because of my home (mortgage free) despite my job recently having ended so no income coming in. They said I'd be expected to remortgage and that they had applications from people in council housing with very little income at all.

I'm London based and most of my friends have ploughed their savings into paying off their mortgages.

lolo99 · 15/06/2023 22:52

Hellenabe · 15/06/2023 22:28

I was denied a bursary and told specifically it was because of my home (mortgage free) despite my job recently having ended so no income coming in. They said I'd be expected to remortgage and that they had applications from people in council housing with very little income at all.

I'm London based and most of my friends have ploughed their savings into paying off their mortgages.

thank you for replying. I suppose they can only ask you to remortgage if you earn enough to qualify for that remortgage. I have also heard of a few owning homes and still getting a bursary. I wonder if it depends on the school.

Hellenabe · 15/06/2023 22:56

@lolo99 it depends really on the school and whether they need you or not, be it because of low takeup or your children have a talent they want. Then they will give you whatever you want. Our school is of medium demand so can afford to cherry pick. I thought the fact that I had no job (but was looking) would swing it but was told outright it was because of my assets.

Hellenabe · 15/06/2023 22:56

assets = house

lolo99 · 15/06/2023 22:59

Hellenabe · 15/06/2023 22:56

@lolo99 it depends really on the school and whether they need you or not, be it because of low takeup or your children have a talent they want. Then they will give you whatever you want. Our school is of medium demand so can afford to cherry pick. I thought the fact that I had no job (but was looking) would swing it but was told outright it was because of my assets.

Thank you- I'm nervous as I have equity but a single parent and my child does have a skill they would want in music.

lolo99 · 20/06/2023 11:23

wigwoowig · 15/02/2023 00:37

They changed the meeting last minute!!

So, it is now Monday.

That doesn't sound great. I did tell my partner that they might do similar with us. Or even suggest that we can't afford a private school lifestyle.

We shall see...

I am glad your child is doing so well though, that is good news.

Show quote history

Please could you let me know how it went. If you would prefer to PM then please do. I'm so nervous and have a meeting coming up. What did they ask and expect? I'm worried they will ask why I am applying when I cannot afford it.

orangie · 20/06/2023 11:33

@lolo99 hello, they just went through the form with me! It wasn't bad or she wasn't trying to catch us out etc.

lolo99 · 20/06/2023 11:37

orangie · 20/06/2023 11:33

@lolo99 hello, they just went through the form with me! It wasn't bad or she wasn't trying to catch us out etc.

Thank you, that's really helpful. It's taken so long to prep and I am hoping it doesn't end badly :(

Hellenabe · 20/06/2023 12:00

For me and also a sibling, we found the interview quite long but also i think they specifically pick people who put you at ease. However despite this, we didnt get a bursary. They just crunch the numbers in their model and it pops out a yes or a no. For me, it was all equity based as i wasnt working. When i got the email saying i didnt get it, i spoke directly to the school who said it was because of my home (mortgage free).

Morana8 · 21/03/2024 20:24

It's a few months since the last post on this thread but could anyone share any insights on how things went for you after all?

We have a financial interview coming up too, applying for a scholarship for Music, have no assets, renting and c.50K/yr pa of joint income. We have literally nothing else we could offer and can barely meet the music lessons themselves with COL.

Any advice? Feeling the stress too now 😞

lolo99 · 21/03/2024 21:16

What schools/area are you going for? Scholarships are not means tested. Bursaries are and are a separate process as you might be aware. You can hold both and it's up to the school to give you what they want to. It can be quite cut throat so if they want your DC they will give you the finances you need to send child there. In London and Greater London you would need near full fee assistance on 50k