School bursaries?

[muthr]

DH and I were wondering if we would possibly qualify for a bursary for a boarding school. DS is desperate to go but we really can't afford it especially because we're living overseas so would have to pay for flights too.

DH and I each about 50,000 pounds per year each before tax. I know that doesn't sound too bad but I would expect that realistically sending DS to board would cost at least 40,000 including school trips, extras and flights, possibly more.

We only have one house which we have a mortgage on and don't own any other property. We don't have any family members who could contribute to the cost.

DS is very bright, he has a scholarship at his current school which is one of the top in the country. Yes, we're looking for 2015 and he's a British citizen.

At dc school a bursary only applies to the day fees, not boarding. I doubt your income would be low enough to qualify, based on what you have said.

When we tried for a bursary at a school which says that it offers 100% bursaries we were offered a small one which it was impossible for us to take up. Bursaries seemed to be worked out on the premise that you would be living at income support levels and would be spending no money on eg transport for the child to get to school or for you to get to work, on uniform or on school trips. Our family income is a (small) fraction of yours.

OP I'm not convinced that many posting on this thread have any actual experience of applying for a bursary at a boarding school. I suspect many are extrapolating their or their friends experiences of applying for a bursary from a day school. Im also not for one minute saying that your going to find it a doddle to get a bursary with your income or that your going to be offered a 60% reduction but unless you have no over heads in any shape or form and don't pay tax £100 000pa although a very generous salary in not sufficient to cover a £34+ and extras school fee bill. You need to apply to one of the big names who really are committed to widening their access. In fact thinking about it as your not asking for a substantial bursary you probably stand a reasonable chance (assuming you don't have loads of assets/savings) of getting something, many schools will offer 20-30%, and that is probably all you need sadly most schools don't have enough money to offer the big bursaries of 60%+.