Bursaries

A bursary is an income related fee reduction. The Whitgift Foundation provides in excess of £4,000,000 of funding for bursaries annually.

Currently 43% of students receive financial assistance. The bursary may be an award up to the whole school fee dependent upon income. A Bursary application can only be made at the point of application for entry into Year 7 and Year 12.

The Whitgift Foundation makes available a bursary fund to support students from low income families as part of its charitable commitment to the community and the education of girls.

There is a generous but limited annual budget for bursaries and bursaries are awarded on the basis of the performance in the entrance examinations and interviews for those who qualify in terms of their income. Usually parents whose family income is less than approximately £70,000 a year (exact figures available direct from the Whitgift Foundation) may apply for a bursary.

A Bursary application must be made in advance of the Entrance Examination. A Bursary form will be forwarded to candidates upon receipt of the completed application and associated documents. Bursary applications which are not supported by the required documentation will not be considered. The Clerk to the Whitgift Foundation calculates the bursary award. The scale of bursaries can be found on the Whitgift Foundation website. Scholarships may be combined with bursaries.

Frequently asked questions

Can my child achieve a Scholarship and a Bursary?
Yes. Both are applied to the fees due; the Scholarship is deducted followed by any Bursary amount awarded, subject to certain minimum or maximum contributions.

How do I apply for a Bursary?
Before your child sits the entrance examination you may request the relevant information and forms from the school. These are also available at the school’s Open Day. On completion, forms should be sent to the Foundation office for assessment. Forms should not be returned to the schools. A bursary award will eb offered at the same time as a place is offered by the school.

What happens if my income falls suddenly?
Please write immediately to the Clerk to the Foundation explaining the situation and giving as much information as possible about your financial circumstances as possible. If you have been made redundant, for example, you will need to provide your redundancy notice and entitlement. Even if a bursary is not awarded, you may be able to reach agreement for payment over an extended period.

What happens in the case of divorce?
Provided that the divorce has been settled before the child sits the entrance examination, the parental contribution will normally be assessed on the relevant income of the parent who has custody of the child, plus the income of his/her partner/spouse. Maintenance is included in relevant income and the Foundation reserves the right to ask for income details of both parents if necessary.

What will I have to pay?
The contribution to fees will depend on your family’s relevant income before tax from all sources of both parents and any unearned income from all of your dependent children. An allowance of £2000 is deducted from the total for other dependent children in full-time education.

Assets are taken into account when considering a bursary award.

You will need evidence of your income (P60 or end of year accounts).

Relevant income is assessed in the tax year before the school year in question. The level of financial assistance will be reviewed annually; details of your income each year will therefore be required.