The Difference Between a Bursary and a Scholarship:
Scholarships are typically awarded based on academic achievement, talent (such as in sports, music, or leadership), or other notable accomplishments. They are competitive, meaning that applicants usually go through a selection process, and not everyone who applies will receive one.
Bursaries, on the other hand, are primarily granted based on demonstrated financial need to assist with education-related expenses. At Covenant, a bursary represents an agreed percentage discount on school fees. A limited number of these are available for students from Kindergarten to Year 12, awarded based on financial merit and/or need. Additionally, we offer a 50% discount on tuition fees for families where a parent or guardian holds a relevant theological qualification and is engaged in a paid ministry role at a Christian church, reflecting our commitment to partnering with local churches and supporting Kingdom work.
Why Covenant Christian School Offers Bursaries Instead of Scholarships
Our decision to offer bursaries rather than scholarships is deeply rooted in our core philosophy and beliefs as a Christian school.
We believe that:
• All children are inherently valuable because of their Creator, not solely due to their gifts or abilities. Our disposition is not to prioritise individuals based on skills, as we consider all skills to be God-given. This foundational belief underpins our approach to financial aid.
• A Christian education should be as accessible as possible to as many Christian families as we can reach. We recognise the significant sacrifices families often make to ensure their children receive a Christ-centred education, and we aim to alleviate some of that financial burden.
• Our primary aim is not to operate as 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 finances can often be a barrier for families, our bursary programme helps us achieve this mission for a broader range of families.
Covenant’s Board determines the value, number, and duration of each bursary annually, based on the family's financial ability to pay. Applicants are typically required to provide income tax documents for this assessment. The bursary amount can be a partial discount, varying according to the family's financial situation.
Importantly, all bursaries are kept 100% confidential from the school community, ensuring that students receiving assistance are fully integrated and afforded the same opportunities as all other students. The programme helps maintain strong family connections, strengthens our community by fostering a culture of care and shared responsibility, and encourages generosity and stewardship through donations. The bursary offer is reassessed annually, as we understand that family financial situations can change over time.
