Is it possible to apply for a bursary in an independent secondary for Y8, if your financial circumstances change?

[QuintessentialOldDear]

Or does it mean we have to start looking for alternatives?
Having a bit of a rocky patch financially, which we thought we would have resolved by now. We will be able to pay the fees for Y7, but wonder if it is possible to apply for bursaries in future.

I would imagine it depends partly on the school and how big their bursary 'pot' is, but there is no harm in contacting the Bursar and enquiring. I think once a child is in and settled, most schools would try and accommodate short-term financial difficulty rather than have the child leave the school.

There are no hard and fast rules about bursaries the two main points affecting (or is it effecting I never know) bursaries are how much the school wants your DC and the biggest one how much money is available next yr in the bursary pot. Does your school have a reputation for offering generous bursaries? The golden rule in all situations when it comes to bursaries is have an honest and realistic conversation with the bursar. Most schools will probably give an existing pupil some sort of financial support, other factors they are likely to consider is how long you financial situation is likely to continue and at what stage your DC is in their education; one would hope that they wouldn't ask a yr 11 child to leave. You other problem is that you are late applying for financial support for the coming academic yr bursary money will already have been allocated.
Get on the phone today arrange an appointment ASAP with the bursar (most don't take the whole school holidays), and do realistic figures about what you can afford.
Good luck.

It is and they will probably have a hardship fund for existing families , but do be ready for questions about how you had intended to finance it in the first place as I think they are wise to people accepting places then suddenly deciding they can't afford it . They may be more likely to consider an application once GCSE courses are committed to in the interests of maintaining continuity for the child. Also be aware they may take all assets into account including property and expect you both to work if at all possible.

"but do be ready for questions about how you had intended to finance it in the first place as I think they are wise to people accepting places then suddenly deciding they can't afford it"
This is why you need to speak to the bursar now bursars are far from stupid. You might be lucky and find that they will offer you some sort if financial help for the coming year. If long term its likely to be a no goer then you might have time to make alternate arrangement for this September.

Assets are taken into consideration in particular 2nd/3rd/4th homes (in my dreams we don't even home a 1st home), equity in your 1st home/substantial saving (we don't have any of the latter either) and whether or not it is realistic to expect you both to work (small children and elderly dependent relatives (a problem I thought I was going to have but sadly am now not) are usually taken into consideration and if its realistic to downsize your house, flog the brand new range rover or sell the Monet.

We have a modest house and a modest car. We did however have low outgoings due to small mortgage and a reasonably good income from our own business. But it seems our market is changing and our predictions hazy, and less profit to our business means smaller salaries for us. It is hard to predict how long this will last, or how long it will take us to turn things around. I will be looking for work outside our own business as soon as the kids are back in school. We wanted to invest in good education for our children, rather than range rovers and second homes, as we did not think our income would stretch to all three.

Def see the bursar as a matter of urgency. They will be able to advise you. There is such a range of independents with varying policies as regards bursaries that it is impossible to know what they will say.

Best of luck!

Really sounds like you want other parents to pay for your children's education. This is where bursary money comes from in many schools and parents who are struggling to pay fees themselves resent people who do a year or two and then say they can't afford it! It is bad manners and you will be seen as a sponger. Sorry but you should be able to pay the fees for the required number of years or maybe save up and do the 6th form only.

Mogul! Don't be so hard on the OP. (Though I can see your POV...)

My understanding is that the bursary pot is built up over years through careful investment. So it's unlikely that your paid fees /donations this year are going to pay for the OP's bursary next year.

But, as I've said on other threads, schools now want bursaries to go to "outstanding" new pupils who could not under any circumstances attend without the bursary. They don't want to be bounced into spending that money on children they have not chosen themselves.

OP If your DC has something the school wants - great talent, scholarship potential etc etc - they are more likely to be able to find extra money. And you must speak to them now.

Sorry! Some schools do not have huge bursary pots because they hardly ever used to give bursaries. The rules of the Charity Commission changed this position fairly recently and bursaries are now handed out far more often and far more generously to keep on the right side of the charity legislation. In my DDs old school this was clearly coming from fee income and fund raising . They made this clear - it was not a secret. I also know a governor of a prep school and they lost sleep over how they were going to provide bursaries as they had no provision. Not all schools are Eton and Harrow! It really did upset parents who were only just keeping their heads above water but did not qualify for anything. Doing a year, then asking for money, is a typical move and it does upset everyone else. I think it is best to understand that you may upset people and you will be talked about. Not nice, but true.

None of the parents know who is getting financial help from the school, BlackMogul. Some schools do have funds for families who are already part of the school who find themselves in financial difficulties for whatever reason so it's worth asking, Quint.

They did in our school!! It is not possible to keep these things quiet in a close knit community. People know who is asking, getting, and the ones who haven't paid their fees for a year. I don't think it particularly affects the children, but as parents always talk about fees, there is always grumbling about who is getting what, and who is not. It is human nature. Of course it is worth asking.....but there are dangers of going into something you really cannot afford. It is the same with a mortgage isn't it?

I have no idea who is paying full fees at ds's school and who doesn't. It's not always something that parents talk about and the ones at your school seem very crass to discuss this honest, sorry. It isn't really anyone else's business.

they lost sleep over how they were going to provide bursaries as they had no provision.

I get you. I know one school that potentially loses brilliant pupils because they have no bursary provision at all. And another that can only offer one per year. This school is also struggling to attract high calibre new pupils.

I honestly don't think pandering to the Charity C should be the main motivation for providing bursaries. A "good" school that wants to survive needs to actively attract the brightest pupils - and should be making strenuous efforts to let people know that they do not have to be "rich" or "posh" to consider sending a clever child there.

Crass it may be, but they think it is a fair discussion if they are struggling to pay fees and they are going into the bursary fund as well as providing for their DDs education. By the way at DDs school, day fees are creeping up to £8000 a term so you can see why there is a problem. If fees were £4000 a term I don't suppose it would be a topic of conversation. It Is also a problem that parents are also expected to raise funds for the bursaries as well. If you give money you are a "friend" of the school with special lunches,concerts, seats etc. if you just pay your fees, you are excluded. DDs have actually left school now, but so many parents were getting upset and leaving the school. Not just because of this by the way!

That doesn't sound like a good system at all I suppose it depends on the school but I really wouldn't like that. They all seem to manage their bursary funds differently so it would be wrong to assume that the parents fees also provide bursaries for those who need one in all cases as it's usual to have a separate fund.

There is also a lot of talk in indies how certain families "hide" their wealth so can claim bursaries or financial support with fees. Usually their circumstances are outed by their dcs who talk of flash holidays/ gadgets/ designer clothes on mufti day/ always able to go on expensive school trips. One set of parents who were suppose to be in an acrimonious divorce and claiming financial assistance was outed when their dd invited a friend back home for tea and found both mum and dad happily chatting in the kitchen. That one went round the school within a day!