School fees help!!!

[squirrel35]

Hi all
My son has been awarded a music scholarship and with that and what we can afford we can cover 80% of the fees. Any ideas if there is a anyine else I can apply to? My son is so desperate to go and he would gain so much musically from it but I just cannot afford the extra 20%
I have spoken to the school but they can not offer anymore as they already gave us a bursary as well
Anyone have experience if this??

Who do you think can cover the rest?
There's usually a payment plan to pay monthly if that helps?
A bank loan?

I just wondered if anybody knew of any grants or charitable music trusts that you can apply to??

There is a big directory of all charities and trusts in the UK but I can't remember its name, sorry. Libraries usually have a reference copy.

My friend who was in this situation increased her hours & got an au pair, her children went back to sharing a room. If you can’t increase your hours can you get a lodger?

Ask your family?

If you are going to such an extent to try and find the cash the bottom line is that you can’t afford it.

Extend your mortgage?

I would think that like most people it would mean you cant afford it? Have you thought about the meals and trips and all the extras?

Have you considered boarding at a specialist music school instead?

Most are grant aided and they are means tested.

Please also note that typically private school fees increase every year so you need to factor that in.

It sounds to me as if you can’t afford it tbh.

It may be worse for your DS to start at a private school only to have to leave one or two years in when the fees go up or the bursary/grants stop.

Perhaps with the money you would have paid towards the private school, you could send him state and then pay for supplemented private music tuition so he still benefits.

Thanks all. Yes you are all right I can’t afford it but there is no harm in trying to do what I can for my son.
Yes I know the fees go up each year I have factored this in along with dinners and transport.
It’s just seem so unfair to get this far. Every child should be entitled to a good education and as we can’t afford it he will end up in a poor school with no where near as many opportunities.
I do all I can to supplement him with music lessons already as well as performing arts groups each week.
I have taken him to London to take part in music workshops ect so I’m always on the look out for new opportunities for him.
My family are already contributing and I can’t extend my mortgage.
Thanks for all your advise though I do appreciate it.

Thank you I’ll have a look

Do you work?

As others have said you can't afford it I'm afraid unless you get some additional income such as a second job. The fees go up a LOT so if you can't afford it now how will you cope?

Yes I do work full time and so does my husband.

What’s the actual shortfall in money terms ? £2000 per annum or £10000?

At independent school there are trips every half term, theatre companies that come in, specialist science days, sports events etc almost all of which cost extra. We are still at Prep stage but the “extras” for two DC come to £4,000/year roughly including uniform. You will need much more than just fees covered. Sorry to be unhelpful. I think roughly one family per year group leave because of financial issues each academic year.

Yes I know all the above I was simple asking if anybody knew of grants ect available.
Please don’t judge me I’m just trying to do the best I can for my son

£2500 short per year year 7
£2980 short per year year 8
£3200 short per year 9,10,11

There definitely are lots of possibilities for charitable trust funding, his music teachers probably have some ideas of where to look. Some are national, some regional. Have you considered some of the schemes at schools covered by the MDS funding? It might be boarding though, unless you live close enough to be a day pupil.

Have a look at helpmusicians.org.uk

No OP I don't. You habeen offered money off and you can't afford it. You really shouldn't have applied in the circs.

If you want it enough it's up to you to fund it. Various options. Look at expenditure, downsize, or you or your DH get a second job. This is your responsibility not the responsibility of others.

I know someone who did this, lived on nothing as he son was gifted, he got his exams and did nothing with them, my friend lost her house, and her other children hate her, as they were always going without for the good of the gifted one...

That's only a tiny shortfall per year. I'm sure you'll find a way.

@Lightsabre The directory of grant making trusts