
Fee Assistance (bursaries)
Elizabeth College is committed to widening access by offering fee assistance (bursary places). We wish no potential student to be discouraged by financial circumstances when making an application to join College.
The level of fee assistance is dependent on financial need and can be up to 100%, including covering the costs of uniform and some school trips. Any fee assistance award made is appropriate to the individual situation of each family and is calculated via a means-testing process.
It is important to note:
- A bursary place is means-tested while a scholarship isn’t.
- A scholarship is awarded on the basis of academic ability while a bursary place isn’t (although applicants are required to meet the pass threshold on our entrance assessment).
We welcome applications for children with enquiring minds who would benefit from our broad curriculum, outstanding co-curricular and enrichment activities, supportive community and inspirational environment.
FREE AND SUBSIDISED PLACES
Elizabeth College offers free or subsidised places to students entering Year 7 or Year 12 (Lower Sixth). The equivalent of five 100% bursary places will be available each year for Year 7 entry and three for entry to Year 12.
Fee assistance awards range from 25% to 100% of fees and are dependent on individual circumstances. The funds supporting the bursary places scheme are limited and so will be awarded based on candidates’ merits and financial needs as identified through the application process. Families must therefore understand that, even if their need for a bursary place is substantial, we may not be able to award one.
Early registration for fee assistance is encouraged as demand for places is high. All prospective students (including those applying for a bursary place) are required to meet the entry requirements of the College’s entrance assessment.
APPLY FOR A PLACE
Early registration is encouraged for entry into 2024 and beyond.
- Please complete the form by 30 June 2023 for entry into Year 7 in September 2024.
- Please complete the form by 1 March 2024 for entry into Year 12 in September 2024.
On receipt of the form, the Foundation Bursary Manager, Rick James, will contact you to talk through the application and assessment process. This will include supporting you to complete the full application and means-testing form.
Bursary Applicants will also be invited for an interview.





FAQs
How are applications for financial support assessed?
- The assessment primarily considers gross family income, assets and liabilities.
- Means-testing is conducted by the Finance Bursar. Parents are required to fill in a bursary registration form, provide evidence of their financial circumstances and the Foundation Bursary Manager will visit you at home . The application process is covered in detail on the form, along with the list of documents required.
- The means-testing process considers the affordability of school fees based on each family’s financial circumstances. Elizabeth College recognises that judgements about what sacrifices a family should make to pay school fees will be personal.
- However, the following factors will also be considered:
- Opportunities to release any capital: significant capital savings and investments would be expected to be used for the payment of school fees, as would equity values in property and land holdings.
- In cases of separation, the contribution made by the absent parent.
- Contribution to household costs by other members of the wider family, by other adults unrelated to the child, or by outside sources.
- The ability to improve the financial position or earning power of the family subject to the wider family context.
- The school reserves the right to amend its assessment process at anytime.
Do other students and staff know which students receive a bursary?
Only senior members of staff, including the pastoral team, are aware of the students who are in receipt of 100% bursary financial support. This information is treated confidentially.
What does the bursary cover?
The bursary award will cover all or part of the school fees i.e. tuition costs and text books.
Financial support is also given towards the cost of educational and sporting trips on a case-by-case basis.
Those in receipt of a full bursary (100% of school fees) will also receive help with uniform.
Does the bursary award cover every year my child is at Elizabeth College?
The bursary award is reviewed annually in the summer term. If your income increases, the financial support initially awarded may decrease. In exceptional cases your award may increase following a reduction in family income.
What are the entry requirements for bursary students?
All prospective students are interviewed by the Foundation Bursary Manager and are required to meet the relevant entry requirements.
For Year 7, the College’s entrance assessment will be held on the 7 October 2023.
For Year 12, the minimum requirement is based on GCSE results: 3 subjects at grade 6 (for the chosen or related A levels) and 2 GCSE results above grade 4 including English Language and Mathematics.
WHO SHOULD I CONTACT FOR A CONFIDENTIAL CONVERSATION?

Mr Rick James
Foundation Bursary Manager
T: 01481 726544
E: rjames@elizabethcollege.gg