Bursary Decision

[Lizziedripping123]

We applied for a bursary for a v academic school for our son. Went through the usual bursary process by external company (BAA) and son went through rigorous testing/interview process. He was offered a place by email and the next day a letter arrived to say no bursary awarded as we fell outside financial parameters. We were surprised as we don't think we do (previously awarded a big bursary at school up the road for different child), so we asked the school for further information, including a copy of the BAA report. Received reply to say we fell outside financial parameters but no report attached. Replied again to ask for report, received reply to say we fell outside financial parameters and that all candidates across the board at sixth form are very able. No report attached. We replied again to ask for report on our finances but received an out of office reply, on holiday until 6/1/25. This is the deadline for accepting a place (which obviously we can't accept as we can't even afford the deposit).

We don't deserve a bursary and understand the school has a limited pot but the fobbing is off with something that we are pretty sure is untrue is frustrating, the lack of clarity and transparency even more so. We are a family on universal credit and receive 100% bursary from government for music and dance school scheme for another child. Does anyone know how bursaries are actually allocated/awarded as there must be some sort of fair process otherwise could easily discriminate. And are these decisions meant to be transparent?

Usually the school website tells you the bursary cut off figures. It should be black and white - you can be on UC & still not meet the criteria… and just because you meet the criteria for one school doesn’t mean you’ll meet it for another.

What’s the cut off and what’s your income?

Can you contact BAA directly and ask them for the report, framing it as a data subject access request? However, they would have a month to respond so this may not help you given timing.

Re the school, I would contact someone else there to ask, eg head of admissions if you’ve been dealing with bursar or even head of the lower/middle/senior school. “I’m sorry to trouble you with this but…” etc. Again you’re unlikely to get an answer by the deadline, however.

Does the deposit have to be paid by 6 Jan? Either way I would accept the place explaining that you’re doing so because you believe the school may have made an error re bursary assessment, that you’ve been unable so far to get clarity on this, that your acceptance of the place is only so you don’t miss the deadline, and that you will only be able to take up the place if the school is able to offer a bursary after all. Either way I would definitely start emailing someone else at the school.

Meeting the criteria in previous years (at a different school) is no guarantee of meeting it this year. Especially this year where bursary budgets are being slashed in the wake of VAT.

There can only be so many bursary places and on this occasion someone else has been awarded it. Disappointing but the reality of the system.

Bursaries and scholarships are being massively reduced due to the VAT policy.

Bursary pots are limited. The fact they are stating that all sixth form students are able suggests that the pot had already been used up by more able students before they worked their way down to your son.

He scored high enough to gain a place, but not high enough to gain a bursary, as they generally offer them on a needs basis from the highest scorer down until funds are exhausted.

The other option might be that they have a maximum bursary amount available and your financial needs are greater than that. E.g.If they offer up to 50% bursary and you require 100%, then it's not going to be feasible.

I'm only guessing though. Either way, they've been very clear that a Bursary is not forthcoming though, and I'm not sure you have the right to see a detailed report. I'd concentrate on looking at your Plan B options and making peace with them.

At sixth form they may well have others who will carry their funding forwards from year 11, so even more limited available and more competition. You could raise a dsar to see the report but it is not going to change the outcome. Is there really a need for a response before 6th?

School policy for salary is under 110K and we are around on third of this. There are other criteria too which we meet.

No, your right, there's not really a need for a response before 6th! Thanks, I agree with you all that they've been clear no bursary, we are ok with this, we know we don't deserve it, but it just feels a bit frustrating that the way they decide bursaries is hidden and I think they told us we didn't qualify due to our finances which I'm almost certain can't be true.

It might not be your financial parameters to which they refer, but theirs. The bursary he needs is more than they have available to give as by the time they've got to his place in the queue however they rank it (likely existing students followed by ability), there's nothing/not enough left in the pot.

They have no obligation to you? They can refuse for any reason they want even if it doesn’t make sense.

Thank you, yes, I think this is likely. I just wish they'd explained it as the letter clearly said it was our financial position that didn't meet their policy. I totally understand they need to order, I just wish they'd explain this!

Why though? A no is a no for whatever reason they choose. Its not like you to challenge it. They don't owe you anything, not even an explanation.

No, they have no obligation but one would expect a bit more transparency I think. The way they allocate should be explained. I'm not sure they can refuse for any reason (race, religion etc, surely not?). Just to clarify, I totally understand they can't give everyone a bursary and I'm pro some sort of system. I'm not fine with being given a reason that's not true or not being given access to the BAA report when we clearly asked for it. Pretty sure they have to send it to us if we request it. Personally I think schools should make their policy clear eg. we rank pupils according to how much we think a bursary would transform their life, or we rank pupils academically and work out way from the top. These are both great ways of doing it, I just don't like the lack of transparency!

This type of lack transparency contributes why private schools are having their charitable status challenged and why they are seen as discriminatory.

How hard is it for them to say all their bursary funds are already allocated.

I think that a lot of existing families will be applying for bursaries/financial aid due to the VAT increase - lots of schools have said they will try and help those families as a priority especially if in key exam years. I guess the bursary pot is only so big and this maybe a consequence of the VAT application.

I am sure if you speak to the school on the first available date they will give you the relevant info - annoying for you though.

VAT has nothing to do with transparency.
Charitable status isn't being queried but Labour are classifying them as businesses therefore don't be surprised when they stop acting like charities, you can't have it both ways!
With VAT, business rate increase + NI increase there simply isn't much money available and many are cutting back on bursaries and scholarships as a result. Something which was entirely predictable to everyone but Labour!

We applied to another school too, costing £250 application fee. We asked if they'd waive it for those receiving UC payments and were told 'absolutely not, we never waiver the application fee'. So we paid it and the next day we're told we needed a preliminary bursary chat on the phone, which we had a couple of days later. The outcome of this was that they said the couldn't offer big bursaries as they had v limited funds, so they could only offer 30% max. We asked if we could withdraw our application and have a refund as we didn't have plans to go through the exam process/interview process etc. They said we could withdraw but they'd keep our £250. We explained we were on UC and hadn't gone through any of the application process other than a 5 minute bursary conversation. After a battle, they did refund us but made it clear that they were only going to refund as a one off. I'd love to warm other families on UC about this as the initial bursary chat should really have come first. Unfortunately I think it gave a money grabbing impression and not what the website says about wanting to support local low income families etc.

But presumably they list the application fee?
Our school has a registration fee of £75 to put your child's name down before application and then £300 to secure the place once offered. All clearly laid out, no surprises.

Yes, agree. If charitable status taken away then no reason to act as a charity. I guess there are legacies left from past pupils in the bursary pot so these are to be used for that purpose.

I understand that schools are pushed financially at the moment but just want an honest answer!

Yes, but also says they offer up to 100% bursary means tested. It was different to this when we applied due to school's financial position. Just frustrating for people to apply costing £250 but then have to pull out of the process before it has started because the initial bursary chat is the day or so after payment. Would be better for them to do this before I think.

Have you got a state school place as a back up? Kindly if your dc is very academic he/she will do just as well in state.

I mean, they don’t want to help local low income families…at least not as a priority! One of our kids got an all expenses paid scholarship (not bursary) to a local private school and I’ve been really struck by how hard-nosed / business-like their school is compared to the local state-run one. They are absolutely businesses; many of them are being run quite close to the wire as their costs are high and their populations have been falling, so their lowest priority is helping families access education that can’t fully fund themselves. I’m not passing judgement either way - there are pros and cons to both private and state education - but it really is no different to private healthcare in that whoever has the most money has access to the best service.

Erm private schools have always been ran as business, there are a few exceptions of course where the bursaries are targeted to help students attain social mobility and are generous and the rules/guidelines are clear, transparent and fair. They have always been few and far between though.

Over 50% of them are charities under law ie not for profit. So any surplus has to be reinvested + bursaries/scholarships for lower earning families.
Very few up until now have been run as business with profits given to shareholders etc. With VAT that will change as hedgefunds move in (already started to happen) just to help them survive.

It’s not just income that is taken into account. Do you own a property with a lot of capital in it for example?