Private School Scholarships and Bursaries: What You Can Get, and Who Qualifies

Many families assume private school is simply out of reach, and never look into the financial help that some schools offer. A neighbour of mine almost did exactly that, then discovered her daughter qualified for a substantial bursary that made the whole thing possible. Scholarships and bursaries are worth understanding, because they can change what is affordable, though they are competitive and vary hugely. Here is how they work.

Scholarships Versus Bursaries

The two words are often used loosely, but they mean different things:

• Scholarships are awarded on merit, recognising a particular talent or achievement, academic, music, sport, art or drama, for example. They are about ability, not family income.
• Bursaries are means-tested, awarded based on financial need, to help families who could not otherwise afford the fees. They are about circumstances, not talent, though a child usually still has to meet the school's entry standard.

A child might receive one, both, or neither, and at some schools a scholarship brings prestige but only a modest fee reduction, with bursaries doing the heavier lifting on affordability.

What Scholarships Are Worth

The value of scholarships varies widely between schools. At some, a scholarship is largely honorary, carrying a small percentage off the fees; at others it can be more significant. The award usually follows an assessment in the relevant area, such as an academic test, a music audition or a sports trial. Because the levels differ so much, do not assume a scholarship will make a school affordable on its own; ask each school exactly what its scholarships are worth in monetary terms.

What Bursaries Are Worth, and Who Qualifies

Bursaries are where the most substantial help usually lies for families on lower or middle incomes. They are means-tested, so the school assesses your financial circumstances, typically looking at income, and sometimes savings, assets and wider circumstances, to decide the level of support. Awards range widely, from a modest reduction up to, at some schools and in some cases, a very large proportion of the fees. Eligibility thresholds and how generous schools are differ enormously, so the only reliable way to know is to ask the specific school about its bursary provision and the income levels it considers.

How to Apply

• Ask each school early about scholarships and bursaries, as processes and deadlines vary and often align with the main admissions timeline
• For scholarships, find out what assessment is involved and how to enter your child for it
• For bursaries, expect to complete a financial assessment form and provide evidence of your circumstances, which may include income and other details
• Be honest and thorough in a bursary application; schools verify information and the award depends on an accurate picture

Realistic Expectations

Both scholarships and bursaries are competitive and limited, and there is no guarantee of an award. It is worth applying if there is any prospect of qualifying, because the potential difference to affordability is large, but go in with realistic hopes and a plan for if the support does not come through, or is smaller than needed. Remember too that the level of help, and the criteria, are entirely school-specific and can change year to year.

Keeping Applications on Track

Scholarship assessments and bursary applications come with their own deadlines, forms and assessment dates, layered on top of the main admissions process. My School Agent can pull those dates and requirements from the schools' emails into a daily briefing and shared calendar, so a bursary form or a scholarship assessment does not slip past. Because provision varies so much, the essential step is to ask each school directly, and early, exactly what financial help it offers and who qualifies.