Independant - help with fees?

[MrsSnape]

When a school says they have a fee remission scheme, what does this mean? who can usually apply for it?

www.hymers.hull.sch.uk/admissions.asp

I'm looking at that one inparticular, I don't want to contact them and make myself look stupid. Is it like a scholarship? would a child have to be really clever to get one?

"Assistance towards fees is subject to a means test of income and capital."

Doesn't sound like it's on academic merit, but the child would obv have to get into the school first (ie pass the exams and interviews)

Anyone can apply but they will want details of all your income / capital and the threshold might be low. And it's only part-fees.

The school says it takes approx the top 40% of ability range. From my reading of the site, if your child can pass the exam then they should be eligible for the fee remission scheme (though it is possible that they are more generous to the more able ones - it's something you'd have to ask, and you wouldn't look stupid in doing so). Does it say anywhere it's only part fees MrsB? I couldn't see that & would guess it's more likely to be a sliding scale up to full fees, but again worth enquiring.

lower down in the FAQ it says 'The Hymers College Fee Remission Scheme provides bursaries' which implies part fees.

It sounds like it was designed to replace the assisted place scheme which was usually only part fees iirc.
Full-fees places not conditional upon academic /muscial/sporting etc excellence (often as well as means-testing) are really rare.
You might have some extra leverage if you are in some way deeply connected to Hull (local councillor or mayor or something) as they make a big deal of their links with the city.

To me 'bursaries' implies means tested, not necessarily a restriction on the amount. 100% bursaries do exist.

Fee remission usually means a discount for teachers, clergy, army etc.

yes i'd apply for a place, and for a bursary at the same time. Has a good feel to it hymers.