Private schools offer an outstanding level of teaching and facilities, but access for children is limited due to the fees required. To remove barriers and give those with high academic ability the opportunity of attending, such fee-paying schools offer what are known as “scholarships”. They are awarded on merit and achievements in subjects such as sports, music, art, dance, drama, and those more academic. To learn about how they work and whether your child is eligible for one, below is guidance we’ve put together with the help of an independent school in Gloucestershire.
Do They Need to Be Paid Back?
The answer is no. A scholarship, just like a bursary, does not need to be paid back.
How Do They Differ from Bursaries?
Their aim is to provide financial support and are accessible to all, irrespective of their financial situation. They are granted on merit and academic ability, whereas bursaries are means tested depending on household earnings and assets. It is also worth mentioning that they can be combined. Parents can be in receipt of both bursaries and scholarships for their children, so they are also worth looking at.
Will They Cover the Entire Tuition Fee
The scholarships now offered usually cover no more than 10% of the fee’s parents are required to pay, however there are specific government scholarships such as the national Music and Dance Scheme which pays 100% of the fees children need to attend a specialist school. They are also often paid in the form of vouchers. To learn about the amount of financial assistance you can receive, we’d recommend looking into any current schemes that are running and the individual schools you’re considering for your child.
As scholarships are highly competitive, we advise doing research and applying as early on as possible. The application process varies from school to school as some families must attend an appointment with the headmaster.
