Bursaries
Bursaries at Habs are awarded to students whose families could not afford to send them to Habs without significant financial support. Habs bursaries are intended to be ‘transformational’, awarded to lower-income families who qualify for full or nearly full support. Approximately 160 Senior School students attend Habs each year with bursary support, and they will continue to receive support throughout their time at Habs for as long as they need it.
Students applying for a bursary must meet the same admissions requirements as all other students; they will need to qualify for a place at the school based on performance in the 11+ or 16+ Senior School entrance assessments and interviews.
Family financial need will be established by completion of a confidential statement of financial circumstances. Bursary awards range in value according to financial need and the funds available for bursaries.
As a guide, families whose total household gross income is below £45,000 may qualify for full remission of tuition fees (that is, free places). Households with total gross income of approximately £93,000 or more are not eligible for bursary support. Between these two figures contributions towards fees will be on a sliding scale.
Parents awarded full remission of tuition fees will also usually be eligible to receive an award that covers the costs of coach travel, lunches, academic trips, music lessons and the hire of one musical instrument.
At 11+ our bursary awards may be offered in conjunction with one of our scholarship awards (academic, art, drama, music or sport). Our scholarships hold a nominal tuition fee discount. Please refer to our scholarship page for eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Bursaries will remain throughout the period of a student’s attendance at the school, subject to satisfactory conduct and progress. Families of bursary award holders will complete a financial review each year. The size of the award for the coming year may be adjusted up or down only if there has been a significant change to the family’s financial circumstances.
Families of bursary award holders are responsible for any remaining school fees not covered by the bursary award.
Bright Futures Bursary
Bright Futures is a new, donor-supported initiative that sits alongside the overall Habs bursary programme. The initiative aims to gain greater representation in higher education for individuals with protected characteristics, as laid out in the Equality Act 2010, who are also underrepresented at Habs and whose families could not afford to send them to Habs without substantial financial support.
Thanks to a generous donor gift, the first strand of Bright Futures funding supports students of Black African or Caribbean heritage. Funding is currently available for up to two fully funded spaces for 11+ or 16+ entry at Habs Girls.
Further information can be found in our FAQs and bursary policy. Please contact the admissions team admissions@habsgirls.org.uk for details of how to apply.
When will I be able to complete the Bursary application form?
You will be emailed a copy of the Bursary application form and the Bursary policy, once the closing date for registration for admission has passed. You will have to complete the form and send it to us via email together with some supporting documents (which will be outlined in the form).
Is there a threshold for a 100% Bursary?
We recognise that circumstances differ, so do not set strict thresholds and criteria but look at everyone as an individual. We assess each application carefully, taking into account:
- sources of income
- outgoings
- assets
- liabilities
- the value and council tax band of the family home
- the size of the family
Do I need to pay the Registration Fee?
In exceptional circumstances we may be able to waive the Registration Fee; please contact Admissions for further information.
What if I can afford some of the fees but not all?
We will ask you to indicate the level of contribution you think you can make on the form we send you. We are very aware that school fees are a significant cost, and we look to make awards at all levels. Last year besides free places we awarded partial bursaries ranging in amount from 50% to 90%.
What happens next?
Your child comes and sits the entrance exam. If your child is then selected for interview, the Finance team will contact you to discuss the details in your form in greater detail. We also work with a third party, Bursary Administration Limited, who discuss applications with parents/guardians and produce reports for the Finance team to consider.
Does my child have to be a stronger candidate than anyone else to get a bursary?
No. We do not set a higher pass mark for bursary candidates. In any given year the number of bursaries available depends on both the number of successful applicants and the amount of money we have to offer.
What if my child has been selected for interview but we cannot be considered for a 100% bursary?
The level of financial support will be discussed during your meeting with a member of the Finance team or Bursary Administration Limited.
What are the bursary meetings about?
If your child is invited to interview, we will arrange an informal meeting with you to give you the chance to find out more about Habs and give you the opportunity for you to find out about the bursary support we offer. They are informal and relaxed and provide us with the opportunity to clarify information you have provided on your Bursary application form. We are happy for the student to join the meeting but if parents prefer a confidential meeting that is fine. Unfortunately, we cannot offer everyone a Bursary and an informal meeting does not always mean an offer will be made.
What extras do you help with, on top of the bursary?
Parents/guardians awarded a Bursary towards tuition fees will also be eligible to receive an award towards the costs of coach travel and lunches, as well as support with educational trips (Educational trips are those which are compulsory or integral to the curriculum). Furthermore, we offer free music lessons for one musical instrument, all of these extras are in proportion to the Bursary awarded.
The Director of Finance and Resources is always available to discuss any other extra help and costs that may occur during your child’s time at Habs.
Are the Bursary holders identified in any way?
Habs is enormously proud of its Bursary holders, but we do not identify them in any way. Most of our students who benefit from a Bursary are proud and happy to share this information. We often find that our older pupils want to act as ambassadors to both encourage other students to apply and promote more people to support and donate to Habs Bursary programme. We realise that seeing what successes our Bursary students achieve is truly inspiring.
What happens if my financial circumstances change, and I can no longer afford to pay the fees?
In addition to bursaries given at the time of entry, we make awards in some cases where the family has suffered unexpected hardship leading to difficulty meeting the fees. This may be as a result of a family bereavement, redundancy or illness. We do this to ensure continuity of a student’s education where possible, particularly for those who are nearing GCSEs or A levels. These awards are usually given on a short-term basis.
Does the bursary award last for my child’s entire schooling?
Bursaries will remain throughout the period of a student’s attendance at the school, subject to satisfactory conduct and progress. Families of bursary award holders will complete a financial review each year. The size of the award for the coming year may be adjusted up or down only if there has been a significant change to the family’s financial circumstances.
For further information on bursaries and if you feel you cannot afford our application fee, please contact our Admissions team. Please also review the Bursary policy.
Email: Bursaries@habsgirls.org.uk
Telephone: 020 8266 2338
