Difference between a bursary and a scholarship, as we see it here at Covenant:
• Scholarships are typically awarded based on achievement, like academic excellence, or outstanding talent in areas such as sport, music, or leadership. They're quite competitive, often involving a selection process where not every applicant will be successful.
• Bursaries, on the other hand, are primarily granted based on demonstrated financial need. They are designed to help families cover education-related costs, such as tuition and books. At Covenant, a bursary means an agreed percentage discount on school fees, and they are available for students from Kindergarten all the way through to Year 12. The amount offered is usually a partial discount, which can vary depending on a family's financial situation.
What is the Core Philosophy behind the Bursary Program:
It all comes down to our deeply held beliefs and mission:
• Valuing Every Child Equally: We firmly believe that all children are inherently valuable because of their Creator, not because of their specific gifts or abilities. We don't believe it's right to prioritise individuals based on skills, as we see all abilities as God-given. This fundamental disposition underpins our approach to financial assistance.
• Making Christian Education Accessible: A key part of our mission is to make a Christian education available to as many Christian families as possible. We recognise the sacrifices families make to provide their children with a Christ-centred education, and we aim to lighten that load where we can.
• Mission-Driven, Not Money-Driven: At Covenant, our primary goal is not to operate like a corporate business focused on making money. Instead, we are here to partner with parents in nurturing their children to know and love Jesus.
Since financial concerns can often be a significant barrier for families, our bursary program helps us to achieve this core mission for a broader community of families. We see this program as an expression of who we are as a school, strengthening our community by fostering a culture of care and shared responsibility, and encouraging generosity and stewardship through donations.
Covenant’s Board makes the decision on bursaries annually, taking into account a family's financial capacity to pay, and they determine the value, number, and duration of each bursary. To assess this, applicants typically provide income tax documents. We also offer a specific 50% tuition fee discount for families where a parent or guardian holds a relevant theological qualification and is engaged in a paid ministry role at a Christian church, as part of our commitment to supporting "Kingdom work" and partnering with local churches.
It's also important to note that all bursary arrangements are kept strictly confidential from the wider school community. This ensures that students who receive bursaries are fully integrated and receive the same opportunities as every other student, fostering an inclusive environment. We reassess bursaries annually because we understand that family financial situations can change over time.
