sponsorship for private school

[stoppinattwo]

My eledrly godmother has very kindly offered to sponsor Ds through secondary school if he likes to local private school. She has no children and as such loves to spend time with mine.

I have graciously accepted of couse, but only in the event that he does not get into the secondary school of our choice (non fee paying) will we take up her offer.

But I might be a bit thick but does sponsorship mean she will pay All the fees, i didnt like to ask incase she thought I was being rude.

Well it depends on what she wants to do/how much she wants to spend. I think you need to have that conversation with her because the add-ons (uniform, sports equipment etc etc) can be quite steep.

Does she know what the fees would be, for example?

Afraid you're going to have to risk being perceived as a little rude and get the details of what she'd be agreeing to exactly.

The ideal arrangement would be for her to put a lump sum in a trust fund for your DS to cover all his fees and ideally extra expenses (these add up at private school).

Also as she's elderly without wishing to be too morbid if she died 2 years into his secondary education you could be left very stuck if the money wasn't already allocated.

I checked out the fees and tbh if she was to only cover the fees i should be ok with the rest (dinners, uniforms and trips)

i wasnt sure if sponsorship meant full fees though, they arnt steep as fees go, about £8.5K this year. I told her this and she didnt seem too put out.

My only other concern was DD...By the time she goes I could maybe afford her fees but i would hate to be able to do this for one and not the other

tracey, she is very organised and would have thought of that but i understand your concerns. She is such a practicle lady that i think she will be very clear with how she proposes to do this, but i just want to make sure i understand what is involved and the best way of doing it without seeming too needy/ grabby iykwim.

Im hoping that she doesnt need ot help us and DS gets into one of his preferred alternative schools, she is very generous and helps a number of kids through sponsorship in one way or another

I would discuss with her how much the fees currently are and whethr she would be happy to earmark the sum required to pay for 7 years fees at secondary school. She may wish to set up some kind of trust for the money and or ensure that adequate provision is made in her will if she unfortunately died within the 7 years. She doesn't have to give the money to you but will need to work out some way to ensure the money gets to the school. The worst case scenario is that your DS starts at the school and after a couple of years the funding is no longer there.

If she is to pay the bill as it arrives, it will include fees and disbursements.

Disbursements include books, modest educational visits, examination fees, insurance, lunches, transport (if used).

The main expenses outside of this are uniform and major educational visits/holidays, eg costing more than $50.

If your Godmother is offered to pay fees, you have to have the conversation with her. It is only right that she knows upfront what she is letting herself in for. A school bursar should be able to give you a sample bill, beyond the baseline fee statement.

There is no standard definition of sponsorship - it is whatever the two of you decide.

thankyou science teache and lilymaid...all good advice.

I am going to see what the next couple of months hols interms of his initial preferred options...he is also going to have a look at this school on thursday, he may not like it and then that rules out that option anyway.

I think I will see if our direction/ fate is directed by these other schools first and then I will have my conversation with my Godmother.

£8.5k a year! that sounds like a bargain, DS's are just under that per term

As others have said, you just need to know that you can ensure your DS can be funded through the entire course and not run the risk of having to pull him out half way through if circumstances change. Also, you really need to be able to offer both DCs the same opportunity.

Definitely look into any available scholarships/bursaries too

i have a friend in a similar position with grandparents - how do you set up a trust fund for them? OWuldn't it be easier to just give them a lump summ and put it in the child's saving account (or pay up front?)

I'm a single parent. I have one child in year two. I don't earn a great deal but manage by the skin of my teeth. And great struggle.To send him to a private school. He's been in a private nursery then onto the school. I get no financial help from his father. It's been four years since I got any money from him for our child. But I need help as I have no work at the moment. Does anyone know of any financial help I can get in paying the fees? I'm desperate???I have always worked to pay his fees and have never asked for help before. I'm at a loss!!
I know the answer may be to pull him out. But I have come so far to maintain a good education for my child. It would break my heart to do so. We don't live in a big house. A council housing estate is where we live. I'm not a snob by any means. Just want the best for my child...

Bongo your current school may offer Bursaries - you should talk to them first. This will also help you if you have trouble paying the fees - far better they know your financila difficulties BEFORE a problem arises