Many schools make private education more attainable through financial aid and scholarships. These programs not only support individual students and families, but also positively impact school communities by bringing in socioeconomic and racial diversity as well as different experiences into the classroom.THE MABIN SCHOOL PHOTO
While private schools are traditionally associated with wealth, many schools are making a private education more attainable through financial aid and scholarships. These programs not only support individual students and families, they also positively impact school communities.
“We truly celebrate diversity at our school, whether that’s different cultures, personalities and interests,” says Hilary Adamson, executive director, enrolment management and student experience at The Bishop Strachan School (BSS), an all-girls school in Toronto.
“Our financial assistance program offers another way we can have socioeconomic diversity and bring different experiences into the classroom and the field. It’s a great way to celebrate a student body that can learn from each other and have different perspectives and stories to share.”
The school’s robust financial support program includes needs-based financial aid and merit-based scholarships. Each year, BSS allocates more than $2-million in financial assistance alone. Families apply through a third-party provider, Apple Financial Services, which makes recommendations to the school. BSS also has a dedicated staff member who helps applicants throughout the process.
“People have a lot of questions, it can be a sensitive topic and there might be confusion about what’s needed to support their application,” Adamson says.
Since tuition isn’t the only expense – there are costs such as uniforms, books, outdoor education trips and global learning trips – financial aid packages at BSS also include an incidental amount. “That helps students to be able to participate fully and not have those additional costs,” Adamson says.
BSS also works to raise awareness of the program and keep it out in the open. “This year, we put up posters about financial assistance to make it more visible and normalized.”
Through its scholarship program, BSS rewards new and current students who demonstrate exceptional achievements in academics, leadership and/or artistic achievement. Adamson says the program underscores BSS’s mission: “Inspire girls to be fearless and educate them to be leaders.”
At Havergal College, an all-girls school in Toronto, financial accessibility is tied to the school’s founding purpose.
“Havergal was founded to ensure girls have access to an excellent education, allowing them to then go out in the world and make a difference,” says Maggie Houston-White, executive director of strategic enrolment management. “Our purpose hasn’t changed and, in 2026, that means ensuring girls who are keen, engaged students who want to make a difference are able to attend regardless of their financial means.”
Havergal offers needs-based financial aid and merit-based entrance scholarships for students in Grade 7 to Grade 12. Together, these programs total $2.1-million in financial support awarded annually.
Financial aid is provided through confidential bursaries, which are applied as a reduction in tuition fees. To ensure a fair and unbiased process, Havergal partners with Apple Financial Services, which conducts an arm’s-length assessment of applications. Havergal also provides financial support for a range of clubs, sports, excursions and activities, so students can participate in these important aspects of their Havergal journey.
Six entrance scholarships honour and support students with exceptional talents who meet academic admission standards and significantly contribute to school life. Scholarships range from the Donald Hunter Boarding Scholarships for Grade 9 to Grade 11 (valued at $5,000 per year) to the Grade 9 Havergal Community Builder Scholarship (valued at $25,000 in the first year and renewable at $15,000). Principal Katrina Samson says the scholarships “are designed to attract exceptional students: young women who are academically strong, deeply engaged and ready to share their gifts with our community.”
Havergal’s financial support programs are made possible through generous gifts from donors. “Former students – our dedicated Old Girls/Alums – and current parents donate to both our financial support program and our scholarship programs because they have experienced the Havergal difference for themselves and want to ensure as many students as possible can reap the benefits of a Havergal education,” Houston-White says.
Advertising feature produced by Globe Content Studio. The Globe’s editorial department was not involved.