GDST schools have a proud history of providing financial assistance towards school fees, ensuring that girls from all backgrounds have been able to access a GDST education.
Today, GDST is a leading provider of bursary provision in the UK with 10% of girls in our 22 independent senior schools from Year 7 through to Year 13 receiving financial support.
How to apply for a bursary
- Step 1: Complete school application form
Complete a school application form to register your daughter indicating that you would like to apply for financial assistance. You will be provided with access to the online bursary site. Individual school application forms can be accessed via school websites which can be accessed by visiting our ‘Find a school’ page.
- Step 2: Declaration of income and assets
Once registered on the site, you will be able to access a form to allow you to share information about your financial situation, which you should complete and submit before the closing date advised.
You will need to provide proof of your income and assets, such as P60s, payslips, HMRC self-assessment forms, mortgage statements, council tax bills, or recent benefits paperwork. These can be uploaded direct to the site via the Document Phase of the application process.
- Step 3: Assessing your eligibility
The GDST will assess your eligibility for a bursary. Our staff may also make an appointment to visit you at home. The GDST then lets the school know whether you qualify and the maximum amount of financial assistance we can offer you.
For example:
- If your family’s assessable income and resources are below £87,500 a year (£92,500 for London schools), you may be eligible for some support
- If your family’s annual income is less than £37,500 (or £42,500 for London schools), you may be offered a full bursary
- For families whose annual income is between these levels, a sliding scale determines the amount of assistance you may be offered
Your child’s academic performance will be a key consideration when the school is deciding whether or not to award a bursary.
- Step 4: Confirmation of decision
If you are eligible and the school feels your daughter would thrive there, the school will send you details of the bursary award it can offer your family at the same time it offers your child a place. Please note that all GDST bursary awards are subject to an annual reassessment and renewal process to take account of any significant changes in family income and circumstances. A bursary award may go up or down to reflect such changes. This ensures those most in need continue to receive our support.
Bursary FAQs
- What is the difference between a bursary and a scholarship?
The key difference is that a bursary is means-tested and a scholarship isn’t. We offer bursaries so that a GDST education is accessible to the best and the brightest girls, including those who are not in a position to pay full fees.
A bursary takes into account academic ability, but its value is directly related to the income and financial resources of the pupil’s family.
Scholarships are awarded purely on academic (or sporting, or artistic, or musical) merit, as measured in a competitive entrance exam, and take no account of family income or resources.
- Who can apply for a bursary?
GDST bursaries are available to any student aged 11 or over at a GDST senior school. The vast majority of GDST bursaries are allocated on entry either to Year 7 or to the Sixth Form (Year 12).
- How much is a bursary worth?
Bursaries range from 30% to 100% of fees; however, the amount of any bursary award depends on local demand and the funding available. Occasionally, awards of less than 30% may be offered. Students in receipt of a full bursary award will also get help to meet the costs of uniforms, lunches, travel and trips, allowing them to make the very most of the opportunities offered by their school.
Bursaries may also be given alongside school scholarships.
- Who is eligible for a GDST bursary?
To assess who is eligible for a bursary, we consider a range of objective criteria, including the income and capital resources of the families applying. It is anticipated that bursary awards will last for the duration of the student’s time at school.
We re-assess bursary awards every year to take account of any significant changes in family income and circumstances. A bursary may go up or down to reflect such changes. This ensures those most in need continue to receive our support.
Most higher-value bursaries are awarded to pupils from families with a total income of less than £37,500 per year (or £42,500 for London schools) who have no capital assets other than their home.
It is highly unlikely that a bursary would be awarded to a family whose annual income is greater than £87,500 (or £92,500 for London schools), other than in very exceptional circumstances.
- Could a bursary be withdrawn?
Very rarely, the school may withdraw a bursary award if, for example, you provide inaccurate information, or your child’s behaviour or work is unsatisfactory.
