Financial Assistance at Rundle: A Guide for Interested Families

At Rundle, we believe that a diverse, vibrant school community benefits every single student. We are deeply committed to ensuring that a transformative Rundle education is accessible to families who share our values, regardless of their immediate financial circumstances.

Because the world of school funding can sometimes feel confusing, we want to clear up the differences between the terms you will hear during our admissions process, and outline the exact steps new families must take when applying for assistance.

Understanding the Terms: Aid, Assistance, and Bursaries

When researching independent school options, terms like “financial aid,” “financial assistance,” and “bursaries” are often used interchangeably. At Rundle, they hold specific meanings:

• Financial Aid / Financial Assistance: This is our broad, overarching category. It encompasses any programmatic tool Rundle uses to lower financial barriers to entry, improve access, or support families who are navigating sudden or temporary hardships. This program is supported through Rundle’s operating budget as well as through generous donations from our staff, students, families, alumni, and friends.
• Bursaries: A bursary is a specific type of financial assistance that is granted strictly based on demonstrated financial need. Unlike merit-based awards, bursaries do not evaluate athletic or academic performance. They are calculated based on your household’s net income from the previous year, taking into account the number of dependents and unique or special circumstances.
• Annual Awards & Scholarships: In contrast to need-based bursaries, these are year-end awards presented at the College and Academy junior and senior high levels to recognize excellence in academics, athletics, fine arts, and character. Many of these awards are accompanied by a scholarship that is credited toward the following year’s tuition (or paid via check if the student is graduating).

Crucial Application Steps for New Families

If you are a new family looking to join the Rundle community, we welcome your application! To ensure the integrity and fairness of the process, there is a strict sequence that must be followed before our Financial Assistance Committee can review your request.

Step 1: Complete the Admissions Process

Applications for financial assistance should only be made after a student has completed the admissions process and received a formal, written offer of placement.

Step 2: Settle Intake Fees & Deposit

Before you can apply for financial aid, newly accepted families must pay their Student Facility Fee, Family Membership Fee, and the initial Tuition Deposit in full. These fees secure your child’s spot in the class.

Step 3: Submit Financial Analysis

Apply through our independent, third-party partner, Apple Financial Services. They provide a completely confidential, objective assessment of your family’s financial resources and submit a recommendation to us.

Step 4: Committee Review & Tuition Deduction

The Rundle Financial Assistance Committee makes final decisions based on Apple Financial’s recommendations and the availability of funds. If approved, the financial aid is directly deducted from your remaining tuition amounts due (it is not applied to initial intake fees).

A Quick Note on Funding & Timelines

Rundle’s bursary program is intended to support returning families who demonstrate financial need. Following the allocation of bursary funds to qualifying returning families who meet the November 15 deadline, any remaining funds will be made available to new families entering Rundle. Final decisions on bursary allocation to new families will be communicated prior to the June 15 tuition payment deadline.

Our team handles all applications with the highest level of discretion and strict confidentiality. If you have any questions regarding the bursary application process, please reach out directly to financial-aid@rundle.ab.ca.