bursarys

[topsi]

We are starting to think about schools for DS (3). There is a local independant school with probably lower than average fees. However meeting these fees would be a challage for us. They offer a bursary scheme and I wondered what other people's experience was with bursarys.
We are not what I would describe as well off but do both work. Would we be likely to get a high % of the fees covered by a bursary or do they tend to be a few quid here and there?? I understand that bursarys are usually means tested but what is the usuall cut off income?
I have contacted the school but just wanted to test the water by asking MN's first.

You have to ask the specific school. One of the schools I looked at for DS, the bursary only pays 20% of the fees.

buraries

buraries?????????????

BURSARIES

Sorry, kids driving me to distraction...

Thankyou love cheese - glad SOMEONE can spell out there!!

No one here can possibly tell you what to expect. You will have to wait for news from the school.

But will they be able to give me a ball park figure do you think before I put down my huge fee to secure a place. Guess I just need to ask don't I ??

You can't get a ball park figure from Mumsnet.

The only people that can tell you anything is the school. Independent schools are just that - a law unto themselves.

Speak to them. They really do understand the pressures and anxiety that you have.

Dont know where in the UK you are but anything much over £40k ish will probably mean you wont qualify.

most bursaries for independent schools operate on a sliding scale so parents on minimum wage could well get 100% of the fees covered, and possibly help with things like uniform and trips on top.

However, once you get to around 40k (joint income, so not that much really) the benefits have pretty much tailed off and it's often only a few hundred pounds a year

at ds' school lots of boys have bursaries combined with scholarships (non means-tested) which can help make it much more affordable, but that's at secondary level - scholarships at primary level are rare as hen's teeth I'm afraid

On the bursary application forms I've seen they ask for info on equity and savings as well as income. So even if you have a low income if you have a lot of equity you will be expected to remortgage to pay the fees.

Same goes for savings. If you have a lot they will expect you to use it.

They will also take into account your outgoings such as childcare, travel to work costs, bills etc.

One form even said if you have a new/expensive car they will expect you to trade it in for an old banger!

As for holidays,if you can afford more than 1 a year you are too rich for a bursary.

I think, as a guide 100% bursaries are only for those earning up to £16-18k tapering off to 0% between £30-60k.

Thank you Forever, I suppose its probably gonna be bad news for us as we are sort of a middle income family. Sometimes these things don't seem fair in that if you work hard you don't end up with much help in life.
We will contact the school and see what they say.
It is difficul because my DH is self employed and his income can vary from year to year. We don't realy have any spare income at the moment but are both working hard.

You need to ask the school like the others have said some schools the cut off point is lower than 20k.

Alot of bursaries are re-assessed every 12 months. So be aware if you have a "good year" the bursary may drop in amount at some point.

Talk to the bursar at the school you are interested (consider others too - of there others and see what each of them are prepared to offer you). They will be very helpful.

Good luck.