Forces Bursaries for Schools

A bursary is a financial award that helps families who could not otherwise afford full school fees. Unlike a loan, it does not need to be repaid.

Many independent schools specifically extend bursary support to Serving Personnel, Veterans, and MOD Civil Servants in recognition of the contribution made by the Armed Forces community.

According to the Independent Schools Council (ISC), around one in three pupils in member schools now receives some form of financial assistance — helping to ensure that Service children can thrive in a stable, high-quality educational environment.

Bursaries are typically offered to pupils who meet the school’s entry criteria and demonstrate both potential and suitability for the school. For Forces families, schools often take into account the unique pressures of Service life, such as mobility, deployments, and family separation.

• Use our searchable database of independent schools supporting Service families.
• Check each school’s bursary policy and level of Armed Forces discount.
• Review eligibility alongside MOD CEA guidelines to find the most cost-effective option please see below.

If You Have a Specific School in Mind

• Check our searchable database for financial assistance options.
• Look for the school’s bursary and fee policies to understand covered costs and additional charges.
• Contact the school's admissions team for further guidance.

Independent schools play a vital role in providing stability, continuity, and opportunity for children whose parents serve. By offering bursaries, these schools help ensure that Service children are not disadvantaged by mobility or financial barriers — giving every child the chance to thrive, wherever duty takes their family.

The process is straightforward and confidential.

1. Contact the School – Inform them that you are an Armed Forces family; many have specific criteria or additional allowances.
2. Request or Download the Application Form – This may be part of the registration process or available through the bursar’s office.
3. Submit Financial Information – Schools may request documents such as payslips, bank statements, or confirmation of CEA eligibility.
4. Assessment & Review – Schools assess each case individually, taking into account both financial need and family mobility.
5. Outcome & Annual Review – Awards are reviewed yearly and may adjust if financial circumstances change.

1. Forces Bursaries (Means-Tested)

Available to families on lower incomes or those facing financial strain due to postings, deployments, or transition to civilian life.

• Awards are based on income and personal circumstances.
• Some schools offer up to 100% fee coverage for qualifying families.
• Additional help may be available for uniforms, books, travel, or school trips.

2. MOD-Linked Discounts

Many independent schools offer automatic percentage reductions for serving personnel and veterans, separate from bursary schemes.

3. Hardship or Mobility Funds

These funds support families experiencing sudden financial difficulty — for example, during unexpected postings, illness, or redundancy after leaving service.

Each school has different income assessment criteria. Some set fixed income limits, while others assess applications individually.

General Guidelines:

• Families earning over £100,000 are unlikely to qualify.
• Families earning around £70,000 may receive partial fee assistance.
• Families earning under £20,000 may be eligible for a full bursary.
• Forces-specific bursaries may offer extra flexibility to account for allowances, deployments, or temporary overseas assignments.

Some schools publish income criteria or offer bursary calculators online. If not, contact the school directly.

Autumn Term (Year 6)

• Register with the school and request a bursary application form.
• Confirm the application deadline.
• Gather financial documents.

October–January (Year 6)

• School entrance exams and interviews.
• Submit bursary application and supporting documents.
• Assessment process, including possible home visits.

February (Year 6)

• School place offers and bursary decisions are communicated.

March (Year 6)

• Accept or decline the school place and bursary offer.

Annual Review

• Bursary eligibility is reassessed and adjusted if needed.

The assessment typically has two stages:

1. Initial Review – An evaluation of your financial documents.
2. Detailed Investigation – Additional documentation, credit checks, and possibly a home visit.

Schools calculate "relevant income" (gross household income minus £2,000–£3,000 per dependent child) to determine eligibility. Additional factors include:

• Property ownership (having multiple properties may reduce eligibility).
• Savings and investments.
• Family financial contributions (e.g., from grandparents).
• Lifestyle choices (e.g., frequent holidays, expensive cars, large homes in costly areas).

Required Documents:

• Proof of identity and address.
• 12 months of bank statements (including savings and ISAs).
• Details of investments, assets, and properties.
• Evidence of income (payslips, P60s, company accounts).
• Mortgage or rental agreements.
• Financial information from both parents (if divorced).

If your application progresses, the school may arrange a home visit or virtual meeting. This allows them to:

• Meet your family.
• Gain a clearer understanding of your financial situation.
• Clarify any questions about your application.

They may request additional documents in advance, and the visit ensures a fair assessment.

Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA)

Helping Armed Forces Families Secure Stable Education for Their Children

The Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) is a key Ministry of Defence (MOD) benefit designed to help Service families provide their children with consistent education, despite the mobility and postings that come with Armed Forces life.

CEA helps towards the cost of boarding school fees, allowing children to remain in one school while their serving parent moves between postings in the UK or overseas. It is governed by Joint Service Publication (JSP) 752, which is regularly updated—so always refer to the latest version on the Defence intranet (DII).

Who Can Apply

From the academic year of your child’s 8th birthday, serving personnel can apply for CEA to support boarding education.
To qualify, the family must:

• Be living together at the time of application.
• Be likely to move postings within four years.
• Commit that once a school is chosen, the child will remain there for the duration of that educational stage (e.g. junior or senior school).

How to Apply

1. Contact the Education Advisory Team (EAT UK) to obtain a unique serial number.
2. Complete the application on JPA (Joint Personnel Administration) using that serial number.
3. Eligibility Certificate: If approved, the Pay and Allowances Casework and Complaints Cell (DBS PACCC) will issue an eligibility certificate.
4. Claiming CEA: Claims are made via JPA three times a year during the published claim “windows.”
5. Receipts: Keep all school fee receipts for MOD verification.
6. Renewal: You must renew your CEA eligibility certificate whenever circumstances change—such as changing schools, adding or withdrawing a child, or when directed by DBS PACCC.

Current CEA Rates (from 1 August 2025)

• CEA Board – Junior: £8,918 per term
• CEA Board – Senior: £11,130 per term

These rates are reviewed annually and published every August.

Additional Education Allowances

SENA (Special Educational Needs Allowance)
Families already receiving CEA can apply for CEA (SENA) if their child is identified as having special educational needs or disabilities.
EAT UK will provide the latest forms and guidance.
Email: RC-DCS-HQ-EAT@mod.gov.uk

CEA (Guardians) Allowance
Supports families who choose for a child to live with a guardian to attend a chosen day school during certain postings (e.g., overseas or between academic years).
This allowance covers additional living costs, not school fees.

Day School Allowance (North Wales)
Available to Service families in North Wales who require access to English-medium education, where this is otherwise only available at independent day schools.

Key Rules and Considerations

Mobility Requirements (The 50-Mile Rule)
To maintain eligibility, Service personnel must be likely to move more than 50 miles from their current posting within four years.

The 90-Day Rule
If a spouse or civil partner spends 90 days or more away from the family home within a 12-month period, eligibility for CEA and other allowances may be reviewed.
This policy is intended to help Commanding Officers determine accompanied status—not restrict spousal employment.
Where possible, families should inform Unit HR in advance if extended absences are expected.

Unaccompanied Flights for Minors
When airlines withdraw unaccompanied minor services, families should not be financially disadvantaged.
The MOD can advise on alternative, MOD-funded travel options.
Contact: UKSTRATCOM-DefSp-DSCOM-FamSec@mod.gov.uk

In Summary

The CEA is one of the most important allowances available to Armed Forces families — enabling children to enjoy a stable, continuous education while parents continue their service. By combining CEA support with school bursaries and Forces discounts, families can access high-quality independent education without sacrificing stability or affordability.

The cost of an independent education in the UK varies by school, influenced by factors such as type, reputation, and location. Schools in London and the South, as well as boarding schools, tend to be more expensive.

• Independent day schools: £4,000–£8,000 per term for senior students.
• Boarding schools: Typically £10,000 per term or more.
• Annual costs: From £12,000 for day schools and £30,000 for boarding schools.

Many schools offer means-tested bursaries or Forces discounts, particularly for families where one or both parents are serving. These may be combined with the Continuity of Education Allowance (CEA) or other MOD-linked funding to reduce costs further.

• Scholarships are merit-based, awarded for excellence in academics, arts, sports, or other fields. Some offer financial benefits (usually covering up to 10% of fees), while others provide only recognition.
• Bursaries are need-based and awarded based on family income.
• Students can apply for both a scholarship and a bursary separately, but typically only one scholarship at a time.
• Scholarships and bursaries are reassessed annually.