Grants to top up a private school bursary

[Turri]

My daughter has been awarded a bursary for a private school, but it only covers 50% of the fees, leaving £3.5k per term to find. As a single mother working on minimum wages its not something I can cover. Can anyone recommend a grant that might help? I can only find them for children of armed forces, doctors, or those already at the school. Many thanks!

They mist have assessed that you had assets then in order to fund the other 50%

Hmm … I’m afraid you were perhaps poorly advised by the school. Only a tiny handful of people are successful in finding substantial long term funding through charitable grants. Have they put you in touch with other parents who have successfully taken this route? It’s the least they can do after raising false hopes.

I do feel bad for your daughter - but if you needed a larger amount you need to apply to schools that can offer that.

I’m aware of a grant making foundation that will fund boarding school for a child who is better off away from home. Application needs support from professionals involved in the family to verify the situation.

Thanks but that's not the case in this instance.

Any funds available from the child's father?

You could try a Go Fund Me page. 🙂

If not, cut your losses and rely on your daughter knuckling down, getting the most out of her state school and being self-reliant with the many educational resources available online. It's what many other children have to do, and the reason why universities give contextual offers.

@Turri help me understand why you think you should get a grant on top of the bursary from the school? You seem to believe it a basic right but ... I don't want you to take any offence but why? I'm sure you DC is brilliant but we all think our DCs are brilliant (most of the time )

There are very, very few 100% bursaries.

@Turri do they also offer scholarships? My DD’s school only offer bursaries up to 50% but you have the option of applying for a scholarship too (each scholarship is up to 20%). Obviously I can only go off 1 particular school but they may have similar? Scholarships are in sport, academia, music, art, performing arts so there’s a wide selection to have a go at.

Wealthy Public Schools have plenty, @CurlewKate.

Unfortunately I suspect most people who would benefit from them only approach more modest institutions that just don’t have the money available.

@QuaterMiss
Wealthy Public Schools have plenty, @CurlewKate.

I'd like to see the figures. Happy to be proved wrong.

Well I guess you can google whatever information you want to see.

But here’s one school’s bursary policy:

https://www.etoncollege.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Bursaries-Guidance.pdf

A go fund me page to cover school fees is tone deaf.

No sh#t 🙄

Op you are doing what any parent would do in your situation, trying to find ways to improve your daughters prospects and I think that’s admirable. If this route is a dead end, anything else you could try to get your daughter into a different school? Any chance of moving or home schooling?

Private schools are a luxury, something that lots of people would like if they could afford it, but most people can't. Just like a bigger house in a nicer area or a fancier car, life would be nicer with them, but people accept they don't have the money to pay for them and live within their means.
I don't understand the thinking behind applying for a school you have no hope of paying for, and then expecting somebody else to pay for it, just because you would like that for your child. You wouldn't do that with anything else.

GDST schools offer bursaries of up to 100% of fees, plus school transport, uniform, lunches etc. It is means tested though, and is a sliding scale once you earn over a certain amount.

I don't understand the thinking behind applying for a school you have no hope of paying for

That’s because you haven’t understood the nature or purpose of bursaries.

Why not take the time to actually read the link I’ve posted? Then you will be better informed.

I understand what bursaries are.

What I don't understand is looking at a luxury item, knowing you can't even afford half the price of it, and feeling hard done by when you can't have it for free.

Because that is what bursaries are for. For talented children to have the opportunities that rich kids have. It’s not the child’s fault that the parent wasn’t born into wealth or doesn’t have a job that pays enough etc. Same as it isn’t the rich child’s doing. Your attitude is wrong on many levels. How many people have money because they are born into it or marry into it? Honestly!!!! Bursaries are a very important thing for helping to level up a bit.

Also came on to say GDST offer 100%. In fact I believe the minimum is 80% for exactly the reason that OP has said.

In my experience, if they have offered you 50% there is a reason. Either they don't want her that much or they deem you as being able to pay.

My DD had 100% btw.

I think 50% is a decent bursary in the current climate. Schools are struggling.

Did she apply for any scholarships?

Thank you to everyone how has posted positive and helpful replies. Your support is appreciated!

Have you looked at state boarding schools? There are a few around -I know of Sexeys school in Somerset for example. That would allow her to go to school outside your immediate area but not have to pay fees. You do have to pay board but it might be manageable as you’d obviously not be feeding her at home.

would you mind elaborating a bit? How and where did you get extra top ups? Thanks

Op was aware they'd only been granted a 50% bursary? Why do you keep insisting nobody understands the bursary system except you? It's quite odd.