Scholarships, are they worth it?

[Terribletiming]

We’re just starting our senior school search. I was state educated and so am learning about the independent school system as I go along. Lots of websites and brochures talk about scholarships, but are they worth applying for? This is all new to me so feel free to add any info you have.

@Hoppinggreen

Dd gets 25% as an academic scholarship. No extra pressure to perform and no stigma either, in fact up until Y11 the scholarship kids get a special tie.

I don’t think anyone said there’s stigma? Quite the opposite, it commands respect amongst their peers. The best type of scholarship is infact is the Academic scholarship because all the winner has to do is continue working hard and enjoy all the opportunities eg quizzes, debates and any other extra learning opportunities that the scholarship affords. Problem with being a scholar is that your are expected to prioritise your scholarship area over everything else. So Sports, they need to train more than other students and expected to play in extra matches, more tournaments etc sometimes over academics, for this reason we decided not to apply for a music scholarship for my dc who was eligible at the time because music involves constant ensemble practice (various ensembles!) OrchEstral performances, instrumental practise will increase and we just knew it was going to sabotage academics at least for our dc. We haven’t regretted it.

In the more popular schools, the value of scholarships seems to keep falling in terms of fee reductions.

Lots seem to say there isn’t a pressure now to choose that subject at GCSE etc, but they will be keen that you play in the orchestra or the A team or whatever.

Essentially I see them as a marketing tool. They are there to make someone feel a bit special and choose that school over an alternative where they also have an offer. They often sell them as also offering a special scholars programme these days too - so it’s not about discounts but recognition and support perhaps at some further coaching or enrichment activity, but in reality these are often not that impressive and open to most who are interested regardless of scholarships.

Yes, Prep schools love them. They are the equivalent of having great grades at GCSE and lure new parents in. So Prep schools often encourage their pupils to go for them as they help their future marketing.

Great if you get offered one without too much effort. And don’t. Let it sway your choice of school. You’d be surprised how many turn down an offer at a more academic or higher ranking school because the lower ranked school which has less to offer, did give a scholarship. As they often make very little financial difference choose based on the school and your child not the scholarship.

Academic scholarships are usually just awarded based on entrance exams and you don’t have to prepare something special to apply. Nice to get the recognition, but again not worth switching schools choice for it, when really it’s a marketing tool to make that school seem more attractive.

Great insights thanks. Feel like I know a bit more of what to look out for when I’m being speaking with the schools. I try not to be cynical but when you’re looking at paying out 20k to 40k a year it’s good to be armed with the right info.

Few give few reductions off the boarding element.

I don’t think the girls were impressed or otherwise with the scholars at DDs school. Kudos for the parents ? Maybe? The DCs just get on with it and it’s not something DC should dine out on. Confidence might be the result of a scholarship or torment that you always have to be sent to be the best and it’s noticed if you are not. I’m not sure many DC are truly happier for having a scholarship. But parents and prep schools are delirious with pride.,

Regarding the kudos of the scholarships, I think that's more, as said previously, for parents.

Kids know who the brainy kids, best at hockey, always get the best parts in the play etc etc kids are - scholarship or no scholarship.

My child has an academic scholarship. We went for it on a bit of a whim because we were applying from an average state and knew he was bright but had no real benchmark and applied as a bit of a punt to see.

It was never going to make or break our decision on a place.

I have a DS who won a music scholarship to an independent school it came with a 50% bursary and free music tuition, it gave him an opportunity we couldn't have afforded and a wonderful experience.

To be fair, most schools I know assess bursaries completely separately from scholarships and it’s a separate application process. Of course it’s possible to get both but a music scholarship doesn’t come with a 50% fee reduction unless the bursary is applied for and successfully gained. Of course bursaries are often given to DC the schools actively want. The talented ones.

Perhaps it depends on what school the scholarship is from. I’ve never met a child in my experience who wasn’t extremely proud of having won their scholarship. They are hard fought for with hrs of studying or practise. When DS’s friend won the Winchester challenge he was absolutely elated and I know those who tried really hard for the Eton scholarship but were unsuccessful and how disappointed they were. It’s no different at my dc’s school where all the scholars are quite admired and looked up to and my own dc won his Art, he was the talk of his year group and all they all wanted to see his portfolio. As parents we gained two things: 10% off and seeing our dc’s confidence and self esteem soar as a result. Perhaps if the scholarships are handed out like smarties then it loses any value and their peers will think nothing of it.

All those saying scholarships are not financially rewarding - 50% off a seven year independent London school education was certainly worth it for us. Scholarships are not any use in UCAS applications unless you are applying for a specific course related to your award, but they do feed into University scholarship applications. And some schools also have grants available to the scholars for summer schools and productions related to the subject. I think many people dismiss scholarships without really knowing how to use them.

I think they are saying that because it is exceptionally rare to find a 50% scholarship. But yes, there are still some which have worthwhile value.

Typically these days, the cash is directed to bursaries not scholarships (unless the scholarship is specifically endowed from separate funds).

As many schools are charities, it is totally reasonable to direct money towards those who need it. Scholarships used to go to those with plenty of money. So they would have gone to the school anyway. 50% off fees for rich parents isn’t acceptable for most school charities now.

I think the Art scholarship above really describes how prep schools, parents and DC view them. Once at senior school this type of adulation disappears. It’s not that important.

Much as I felt DD should have had a fee reduction for an academic scholarship, I’m
also happy with the idea that bursaries widen Admissions to private schools. I do wonder how many state educated DC ever get art scholarships though. Art is barely taught in state schools so a portfolio is impossible unless mum and dad know the time of day. They, even more than music and sport, seem unfairly biased towards prep schools.

The whole point of my post was to emphasize that the dc benefits from the award in terms of confidence-boosting which was greatly needed for my dc at the time. Whether that happened at senior school or prep school is irrelevant, the point is they see that they are talented in something and it raises their self-esteem.

Are scholarships worth applying for - well this will depend on what the percentage is, assuming a fee reduction is important for the parents, and whether the children get anything from it themselves.

Non-academic scholars may have extra help/facilities but someone who is a good musician, sport-player will be taken care of by the school anyway.

DD was offered a 50% academic scholarship (they do exist!) which we didnt accept as it wasn't the right school for her. We accepted a lower scholarship elsewhere. DS also has an academic scholarship (which influenced our choice between 2 similar schools) and between them we save a third off their fees - which in the current economic climate has been a Godsend. The extra academic scholars provision at both schools is negligible, contrary to what was promised so that's disappointing.

DD was also recently offered an honorary art scholarship after she had started school which has no financial value but does include extra art sessions/clubs so she enjoys the benefits of that - and she was so thrilled when the unexpected letter arrived. She'll be expected to study Art for GCSE and A'Level so I suspect she'll have to give up the scholarship in 6th Form.

So variable financial benefits, a boost to self esteem for the child and kudos for the parents, different expectations from individual schools in terms of time commitments and once the child finishes school no benefits when applying to universities. Potentially then mainly a marketing tool, benefiting both prep and senior schools. I can see if a scholarship is achievable easily there is no reason not to apply, but I’m starting to think any amount of pressure to achieve one is not worth it.

OP you’ve summed it up perfectly.

I would agree with you. Of course self esteem for the successful trumps the disappointment of the not successful. It’s easy for parents to see the benefits but others who get nothing might not see it like that. I think if dc is scholarship stream then you might be expected to apply but it’s not essential if the wellbeing of your dc means it would be counter productive. The lack of self esteem by failing also has to be considered!