

Financial support has various qualifying criteria, including a successful entrance assessment.
The Foundation lies at the heart of Heriot’s School and provides a range of support to children of widows and widowers including pastoral and financial assistance. Foundation support is available to pupils joining the school from Primary 6 upwards. Existing Heriot’s pupils are eligible to apply to the Foundation in the event of the death of a parent.
Foundation places are awarded at the discretion of the Governors. They will consider applications for children who have lived in the EH, KY or FK postcode areas for at least five years before applying. Alternatively, one parent must have had a significant and longstanding link with the city of Edinburgh.
Previously Heriot’s provided a fully-funded school place and benefits for a child when a parent earnt below a household income threshold of £45,000.
We have recently removed the current income threshold for new Foundationer pupils and are introducing a tiered model of support, where any family living within Edinburgh and the locality who has lost a parent may apply for their child to join the school as a Foundationer. Where financial support is requested, applicants will be required to complete an annual means-tested household income sheet, to provide information of their financial circumstances. Governors will take into account the salary of a single parent for Foundation applicants, as well as other sources of household income, for examples relatives and partners, Trust funds, shares and savings.
Places for Foundationers will be offered within a tiered support system, ranging from 100% fee remission plus sundries, to an offer of a place that will entitle a pupil and their family to access pastoral and bereavement care yet without financial support.
Both the residential and financial criteria for a Foundation place must be met. We currently have 54 Foundationers at the school.
Applicants to the Foundation are not required to pay the £90 registration fee.
These means-tested bursaries are available for pupils joining us from Primary 6 onwards, whose household meets the financial criteria. Existing Heriot’s pupils are also eligible on the same basis. Funds may be available to support pupils in receipt of 100% bursaries with the extra costs associated with the school, for example uniform, travel, books etc.
Heriot Bursaries are awarded for a year at a time and are reviewed annually, with the amount awarded decided on a case-by-case basis. Families are welcome to reapply each year that they qualify for assistance. Awards are made at the discretion of the Principal and the Governors, and are subject to satisfactory pupil behaviour and continuing effort.
The School currently offers bursarial places to 61 pupils. Following discussion, the household income level has now been changed to better reflect UK salaries and has been set at a qualifying level of £72,000 per applicant (the joint income of the Edinburgh median salary level of £36,000p/a). All applicants seeking financial support will be means tested based on the recognised evaluation of family income, including income for example from relatives and partners, Trust funds, shares and savings
To qualify for financial awards, total gross household income must not exceed the relevant limit set by the Governors.
For session 2025/26, the qualifying limits are:
Foundation applicants | no qualifying limit |
Bursary applicants | £72,000 per annum |
These figures are adjusted to take account of other dependent children and any Heriot’s school fees already being paid. The value of capital assets is also considered.
To apply for financial assistance, tick the relevant box on the Application for Admission form. We will send you the appropriate form to complete.
Before applying, please view our Admissions and Financial Assistance Privacy Notice.
For all financial matters, please contact the Finance Office.
Support may be available for parents and guardians of existing Heriot’s pupils who experience a significant change in financial circumstances. Please contact the Bursar in the first instance on trust@george-heriots.com .