How do I apply for help with school fees?

A child must be registered with one of our schools before you can apply for help with school fees. We therefore recommend you and your child visit our school open days  to decide which one would be right for your child.

 

As our fees support is means-tested families wishing to be considered for help will need to fill in an application form (MT1 form), and provide details of their family finances e.g. income, capital assets, benefits etc. This information will be verified and may include a home visit.

 

Application forms are available from our schools once your child is registered, an example of the application form can be viewed here. Please ensure you complete the form as accurately as possible as the information you provide will be checked and verified and will be used to assess if you are eligible for support. 

 

Application process

The process for new applications (for the 2012/13 academic year) is as follows:

  • September to December 2011:
    • Register with your chosen school
    • Request and complete the preliminary help with school fees application form (MT1 form)*
    • The MT1 application form must be submitted to our Fees Manager, Zara Beaumont, at the Bedford Charity offices by 16th December 2011 for Bedford Girls’ School and Bedford Modern School and 31st December 2011 for Bedford School
  • January to February 2012:
    • Children take their entrance assessments and interviews (if applicable)
    • Schools and trustees consider all applications for help with school fees
  • February 2012:
    • Families receive letters from their chosen school offering a place for their child and also informing them whether they will/will not receive a provisional offer of help with school fees
  • April 2012:
    • Families who have received provisional offers of help with school fees will be contacted by the Harpur Trust fees team asking them to complete an MT2 form* and supply supporting documentation for their application
  • May 2012 to January 2013:
    • Families advised of the amount of their provisional offer of help with school fees together with any further requests for additional documentation
    • Families receive confirmation letters of their actual award by January 2013

* When submitting your financial details please be as accurate as possible. The information you supply on the MT1 form (Preliminary application form) and MT2 form (Annual assessment form) will be checked and verified and used to assess how much support you may or may not receive.