PRIVATE SCHOOL BURSARY APPLICATIONS

[Indiedog99]

Hi lovely people,

Can anyone shed some light on bursary applications? Maybe you've been through the process yourself or there are some bursars amongst us! My question is, can bursaries be considered if your income is very low and only one partner is working full time? Here's what I mean - this is all hypothetical of course!

Joint income is 20K per year (one partner working and the other only not working as she has young baby to look after) but school fees for two children are 36K per year (the two we are sending to private school). If we send an application in, are we going to get laughed at?

This is for a bursary only - not a scholarship based on ability as it is a prep school and not offered. There are no entrance exams it is just means tested.

Thank you in advance xx

Honestly? I don’t think they will consider you. My sons school looks at ongoing affordability and bursaries are only short term (2 years) now.

My sons been at his school since he was 3, and we have just been knocked back for anbursary (combined income £50k) because it was too low to be sustainable without ongoing help.

We are a rural northern school that’s well regarded but not over subscribed, so it may be diffferent in other areas.

I just think 2 kids, on that income is totally insustainable. Uniform and trips etc alone will be a stretch for you.

Oh god, ignore typos. I’ve had lots of lovely gin tonight!

18k prep fees are high, even in SE. Even with full bursaries ( which are unusual) is it really something you can or even want to sustain (uniform, extracurricular activities, lunches etc). Can your dc offer the school something special or benefit exceptionally from what they offer.

I wasn't expecting replies so thank you! I've worked it out that our combined earnings are 23K at the moment. The 36K figure is what will be charged when they get to Year 4 plus. They will only be in year 2 and year 3 when they start in September. The fees are cheaper up until year 3/4 then they pretty much double!. I really don't want to go through the whole process just to be laughed at - so you really think I shouldn't apply? I am a teacher so I will go back to work at some point but definitely not in the next two years. Thanks again for advice x

I'm hearing things such as 26k is the cut off point for a 100% bursary at most private schools, hence me asking.

Full bursary is a possibility but extremely rare at prep.

Sorry but I don't think they would consider you.

I know of higher thresholds but not for 100%. You won't get laughed at but probably not offered what you need , if at all, especially for 2 dc applying at same time. What about when the baby is school age? Is there a particular reason for wanting this specific school?

I can only speak about the school near is (I helped a friend sort her forms). I think 100% bursary's are rare. A percentage is most likely, but they will probably ask about the non working parent.

If you are a teacher, could you look for a position at the school? Our staff get 50% off fees if they live on site.

If you teach in an independent school, or could change jobs to do so, you might well find a school which will either give you a big discount if you teach there or has a reciprocal arrangement with another school for mutual discounts for staff.

One of my aunts teaches in a private school and her children get a 50% discount

Most preps around here (South East) don't offer bursaries. I'm going to try and get my son through state junior and then see if we can get a bursary for s private secondary school.