By KATHRYN BERMINGHAM
Scholarship conditions warning sounded…
BEACONHILLS College headmaster Tony Sheumack is warning parents to carefully examine the conditions of scholarships offered by private schools.
Many elite local schools offer annual scholarships to secure enrolments from high-achieving students.
However, Mr Sheumack said that they were not always what they appeared to be.
“In the current economic environment, a significant number of alternative programs have emerged, many of which are called scholarships,” he said in a blog posted to the school’s website on Monday.
“Some offers are for a limited time, while others are for the full schooling.”
He believes the school scholarship process should be made entirely transparent to parents.
“If a school is offering parents discounted fees under the guise of a scholarship, then the advertised tuition fee does not reflect the true cost of educating a student.
“In these circumstances, I believe parents who are paying full fees have the right to feel aggrieved.”
Currently, at the conclusion of the scholarship application process, Beaconhills has received 160 submissions. Scholarships are awarded in categories of academic, performing arts and general excellence.
The selection process varies from school to school, but can involve academic testing, submission of a portfolio or a music performance. Scholarship candidates are charged a fee to apply.
Mr Sheumack said the Beaconhills Board of Directors had overseen the school’s scholarship program for a number of years, offering up to a 50 per cent discount on school fees.
He encouraged schools to ensure processes are made clear to prospective students and parents.
“A scholarship program should have authentic boundaries and not mislead families in any way.”
