Central Bursary Fund

The Central Bursary Fund was established by private donation in 1980 and has been augmented by contributions from our Schools. It was originally created to provide financial support for children from Methodist families to enable and assist them to board at the secondary schools controlled by or associated with the Board of Management for Methodist Residential Schools.  Currently about 30 families a year receive help in this way.

Who can apply?

The committee will consider for an award any pupil of secondary age either of whose parents, whether living or deceased, is or at the time of death was a member of the Methodist Church.  Any pupil who is herself or himself a member of the Methodist Church or is about to enter into membership will also be eligible.  The fund is now available to those who would previously have received help from the Ministers’ Children’s Fund.

What are the factors considered by the committee in making an award?

Priority is given to those children in need of boarding education.  In appropriate cases awards can also be made to enable children to attend our schools as day pupils.  To be considered for an award the parents or guardians of any pupil will be required to make a full statement of the financial circumstances of the family.  Awards may include additional assistance provided by the school.  Awards normally continue until the pupil leaves the school but are reviewed annually in the light of the pupil’s progress at the school and any changes in the circumstances of the family.

How are applications made?

The parents or guardians of those eligible should ask for an application form from the Head of the appropriate school.  Initial applications should be accompanied by a letter of support from a Methodist minister who knows the family well or in the case of ministers’ children from the Chair of the District.  Completed forms must be sent to Mr Graham Russell, the Secretary of the Board of Management.  Applications should be submitted by 1 March in the year of proposed entry to the school.  Applications for awards may be considered after this date in exceptional circumstances.