Financial Awards and Scholarships

The School makes a number of financial awards each year, under two main categories. Means-tested financial assistance, often referred to as bursary support, is awarded on the basis of financial need, to help families with the cost of school fees. Scholarships are awarded on the basis of pupil merit and irrespective of parental income.

We hope that the information below will help you, but please do not hesitate to contact the Admissions Secretary if you would like to arrange to discuss this further.

Means-tested Financial Assistance

The main source of bursary support is The George Watson's Family Foundation, which was set up in 1997 and exists to continue the spirit of the legacy left by George Watson which led to the opening of Watson's in 1741. His views were clear. He wanted children from less advantaged backgrounds to enjoy the quality of education available to those more fortunate.

This spirit is alive today. Through the Foundation, bursaries are available to provide assistance on an annual means-tested basis, in cases of financial need. The Foundation Bursaries are awarded at the discretion of the Foundation Trustees.

Pupils who apply for financial help through the George Watson's Family Foundation are assessed on exactly the same basis as a full fee-paying pupil, and are not disadvantaged by applying for financial help.

Priority is given to applicants for S1, though ongoing awards are available for pupils at any stage from S1 to S6. At the discretion of the Trustees of the Foundation awards may be made to Junior School pupils. Awards for one year only may be applied for by existing pupils in the school at any stage from P1 to S6.

Assistance with tuition fees is awarded on a sliding scale based upon family income, capital assets and other financial circumstances. For full details on means-tested financial assistance from the George Watson's Family Foundation, download Widening Access for Young People of Potential (PDF, 412 KB).

All applications for entry are processed in the same way, regardless of whether an application for financial assistance has been made or not, see above. The cut-off for awards of financial assistance is determined by the point at which Family Foundation funds are exhausted.

In addition to these Foundation Bursaries, there are a small number of educational and charitable trusts funds, intended to help pupils who meet specific criteria, which may consider providing assistance in cases of genuine need. Genuine needs recognised by trusts include:

• an unforeseen family disaster, such as the death of a parent when the child is already at school
• a change in parental circumstances threatening withdrawal from the school when a pupil is in the middle of an examination course
• a need for special education where there is a recognised learning disability which is not being catered for in the state sector.

Details of regional and national trusts can be found in the Directory of Grant Making Trusts published by the Charities Aid Foundation (ISBN 1 903991 58 7) and the Educational Grants Directory published by the Directory for Social Change (ISBN 1 903991 75 7), both of which are available in most public libraries. The website www.educational-grants.org lists details of a number of trusts.

The Bursar can provide further guidance including advice on a number of funds administered by the Edinburgh Merchant Company to provide assistance in specific circumstances.

The Ogden Trust

Applicants to S5 or S6 with exceptional ability in Maths and Physics may be eligible for funding from the Ogden Trust. Awards are worth up to 100% of fees with 50% coming from the Trust and the other 50% coming through the George Watson's Family Foundation. Specific criteria apply and there must be a genuine financial need.

Scholarships

Up to 11 scholarships, including two Music Scholarships, are available to pupils entering the Senior School in S1, ranging in value up to 50% of the full tuition fees. These are awarded irrespective of parental income. Please note that we also welcome applications on behalf of pupils with a particular aptitude for sport or the creative arts.

Academic Scholarships

The Academic Scholarships are awarded on the basis of the Entrance Examination taken in January/February for entry to S1, plus additional Scholarship papers in English and Mathematics. Only candidates who do particularly well in the Entrance Examination will be invited to take the additional Scholarship papers, a few days later. It is not therefore necessary to apply for a Scholarship award.

All awards are tenable for a maximum of six years, subject to satisfactory progress in each year. The value of scholarships may be augmented on a means-tested basis in cases of financial need, in which case parents should complete a Financial Assistance Form for a Foundation Bursary.

Music Scholarships

Applicants for entry to S1 who are musically talented can apply for the Ferguson and Bruce Music Scholarships, which are valued up to 50% and 10% of the academic tuition fees respectively and also cover music tuition fees for two instruments or for voice and instrument. These are awarded on an assessment of a candidate's musical promise made at the time of, and in conjunction with, the Entrance Examination. The awards are made initially for three years; their continuation after that will depend on satisfactory progress during S1 to S3 and a commitment to study Music as a main subject in school thereafter. Applicants for the Ferguson and Bruce Music Scholarships may also be considered for an Academic Scholarship. Additional financial assistance may be available, and application for such assistance should be made by completing a separate Financial Assistance Form.

The Enablement Fund

In 2001, George Watson's College took steps to improve its facilities in order that children with physical disabilities can attend the School, most notably by the installation of a lift in the main building. The purpose of The Enablement Fund is to provide further assistance for pupils with a physical disability to attend the School. The Fund is dedicated specifically to help these children by giving them financial assistance to help meet any additional costs they will incur by attending George Watson's College. The grant could be used for additional staffing, facility adaptation or equipment, depending on the need of a particular child.