Financial Assistance

Our Form 1 Bursaries are specifically aimed at families on low incomes. All bursary applications will be means-tested. Anyone wishing guidance on whether or not to apply should contact the Bursar’s Office.

The award of a bursary is subject to satisfactory performance in the January Entrance Test preceding entry to Form I and, if demand for bursaries exceeds the available funds, bursaries will be awarded in accordance with ranked performance in the Entrance Test.

Awards may be up to 100% of the total tuition fee, but some may be considerably less.  Subject to continued satisfactory academic performance, and observance of our school rules and regulations on behaviour and conduct, the award will apply for the duration of a pupil’s registration at the school.

Awards may be reduced or withdrawn should a family’s financial position improve, and the Bursar reserves the right to request that families provide updated information on their financial position at any time.

If you believe you are eligible to apply for a Form 1 means-tested bursary please download and complete the Note of Interest Form, and return it with the Application for Enrolment Form to Admissions

The families of Junior 2 pupils at the Academy may apply, in writing, to the Bursar, only on the basis of sudden and unexpected financial difficulties.

Support with buying uniform and other items may be made available on a biennial basis. Additional payments may also be made to assist with other costs, such as local school trips and events.  It would not be expected that bursary recipients participate in non-curricular or expensive overseas school trips, as the cost of such trips is high, inconsistent with receiving means-tested financial assistance and may result in the reduction or withdrawal of bursary support.  If in doubt, the Bursar should be consulted before any application to take part in an overseas trip is made.

Charges for daily travel to and from school, lunch and any costs for co-curricular activities are the responsibility of parents.

The bursary application process begins each year with the Entrance Test held in January preceding the August intake to Form I.  Prior to this, you must first apply for a place at the school by completing an Application for Enrolment Form, and bursary Note of Interest form. Please submit both forms together to Admissions.

All applicants must then sit the January Entrance Test.  Please note that this is the only entrance test considered in the bursary award process and pupils sitting any other entrance test which may be arranged from time-to-time will not be considered for a bursary.

Dollar Academy Junior 2 pupils applying for a Form I bursary must sit the Entrance Test in January and a request for a bursary should also be submitted in writing to the Bursar by the day of the test. Please indicate in your letter your annual pre-tax household income and the reasons for your application, which must include a sudden or unexpected change in financial circumstances.   For internal applicants the outcome of the test will be used only in relation to the bursary process and will not affect your child’s progress to Form I.

Awards are made in a five-stage process following the January Entrance Test:

1. The Rector will write to the parents of all external candidates in mid-February to confirm whether an offer of a place has been made.
2. The Bursar will then contact the parents of all candidates (external and internal) who are eligible to apply for a bursary, in accordance with ranked performance in the Entrance Test. At this point they will be asked to complete a means-test form and provide documentary evidence to support their application. The remaining candidates will receive a letter confirming that their application is on hold.
3. On the basis of financial information received in the means-test applications, bursary awards will be notified to parents by the Bursar.
4. At this stage, depending on remaining finances, one or more candidates whose request for bursary support is on hold may be invited to submit a means-test form as in 2 above.
5. To go through the entire awards process may take several weeks until all funds have been awarded. At this point, those candidates whose application for a bursary is still on hold will be notified that their application has been unsuccessful.

All enquiries relating to the means-tested bursaries for day entrants to Form I should be directed to Marion Campbell – 01259 740515 / campbell-m@dollaracademy.org.uk

There is limited bursary and scholarship funding to support pupils entering Dollar Academy as boarders who demonstrate excellence academically, or in areas such as music or sport. The tuition fee element will normally be required to be paid in full, but the boarding element may attract financial support. Parental income will be assessed, but remission of up to 50% of the boarding element of the fee may be offered to boys and girls who do particularly well in the Entrance Test or who have met high academic standards in their previous schools.

The Governors have recommended that, in addition to academic criteria, high standards of conduct and behaviour be attached to these remissions, and Dollar Academy pupils who have been awarded them will be re-assessed each year, as will their financial circumstances. The intention is, however, to provide significant support to a number of boarders throughout their senior school careers.

Candidates from IAPS Prep Schools are also eligible for bursaries and scholarships, although for day pupil applicants scholarships are honorary and attract no financial remission.

Details concerning the provision of boarding scholarships may be obtained by contacting the Rector directly.

From the outset it should be recognised that the Governors have limited resources to support families who experience financial difficulties once their children have started their education at Dollar. Families with pupils about to enter Form 1 may be able to access the Bursary Scheme. In other cases consideration may be given to pupils in Forms 4 and 5 to allow completion of the next phase of public examinations by ensuring continuity of curriculum in that regard. Only in the most exceptional circumstances will pupils in Form 6 be considered. Pupils in the Prep and Junior schools will not be considered, nor, ordinarily, will pupils in Forms 1, 2 and 3. Awards of assistance will be means tested and will be granted only if sufficient funds are available. Any decision made by the Governors will be final and there is no right of appeal. In the case of any award of assistance parents or guardians must inform the Bursar, in writing, of any material change in their financial position without delay. In some cases this may obviously lead to the withdrawal of any award.

Bursaries are occasionally available at other points of entry. There are also a number of educational and charitable trusts which provide assistance with tuition fees. Further information on sources of assistance is available from the Scottish Council for Independent Schools.