Tactics To Save School Fees | 7 Insider Tips

Written By Pragya | Edited By Varsha & Adi | Updated on 15th July 2024


When you go for admission to a school or simply pay the school fees, you cannot bargain like you do at some corner store right? Sounds pretty funny to even think that. But the expenses can give you a headache, especially if you’re choosing private schools, and some International schools are even costlier than Private. But what if we tell you that there are actual ways through which you can cut some amount from the fees and make the fee burden a little less. In this blog, we will be sharing with you 7 insider tactics to save school fees that you should definitely know as a parent which can help you save some money.


Quick Summary

Tactics To Save School Fees:

  1. Siblings Discount
  2. Early Enrollment Benefits
  3. Volunteer and Parent Involvement benefits 
  4. Cut down extra costs
  5. Referral bonuses
  6. Payment plans
  7. Scholarships

1. Siblings Discount

1. Siblings Discount

The siblings discount is a great way to save money when you have more than one child at the same school, but it is often overlooked by many people. Schools usually charge less for the second, third, or more kids from the same family who go to their school. They do this to help out parents with more than one child at the same school, kind of like a reward for your family being part of their school community.

How to Apply for the Siblings Discount

Follow these steps to take advantage of the sibling’s discount:

  • Inquire with the School: Start by contacting your child’s school and asking if they offer a sibling discount. Many schools do, but it’s not always prominently advertised, so it’s essential to ask.
  • Submit Necessary Documentation: Schools may require documentation to confirm the sibling relationship, such as birth certificates or legal documentation. Ensure you have these documents ready.
  • Fill Out the Application: The school may have a formal application process for the discount. Fill out any required forms and provide the necessary information. Be sure to follow their instructions carefully.
  • Keep in Touch: Stay in contact with the school’s administration or financial office to track the progress of your application and ensure that the discount is applied correctly to your fees.

2. Early Enrollment Benefits

2. Early Enrollment Benefits

An early enrollment discount is a fantastic way to reduce your school fees by signing up your child for the upcoming academic year well in advance. Lots of schools like to give parents a special discount if they sign up their child for the next school year really early. This discount is like a prize for parents who plan ahead and decide to send their kids to that school early. It’s good for both the school and parents because the school knows how many students they’ll have, and parents get to keep some extra money in their pockets.

How to Apply for the Early Enrollment Discount:

Follow these steps to make the most of the early enrollment discount:

  • Stay Informed: Keep an eye on your school’s communications, such as newsletters, emails, or notices on their website. They typically provide details about early enrollment and its benefits.
  • Registration Deadlines: Find out the specific deadlines for early enrollment. Schools usually have a cutoff date by which you need to register your child to be eligible for the discount.
  • Complete Enrollment Forms: Ensure you complete the necessary enrollment forms, which often include personal information, class preferences, and other essential details. Follow the school’s instructions carefully.
  • Pay in a Timely Manner: After registering, make sure you pay any required fees or deposits within the specified timeframe. Some schools may require an initial payment to secure your child’s spot.

3. Volunteer and Parent Involvement benefits

3. Volunteer and Parent Involvement benefits

Schools often extend discounts or reduced fees to parents who roll up their sleeves and actively take part in school activities, whether it’s volunteering in classrooms, helping out at events, or sharing their skills. Many schools value the contributions of parents in their children’s education. They encourage active involvement by offering financial incentives. It’s a great way for parents to give back while saving money.

How to Apply for Volunteer and Parent Involvement Benefits:

To make the most of these benefits, follow these steps:

  • Stay in the loop: Pay attention to what your child’s school is announcing through things like newsletters, emails, or updates on their website. This is where they usually let you know about chances for parents to get involved.
  • Participate Actively: Take part in school events, PTA (Parent-Teacher Association) meetings, and volunteering opportunities. These could include helping with school functions, assisting teachers, or giving active feedback.
  • Document Your Involvement: Keep a record of the activities in which you’ve been involved. This may include event participation, volunteer hours, or sharing your professional expertise.

4. Cut Down Extra Costs

4. Cut Down Extra Costs

When you’re paying the fees, it’s important to be mindful of what you’re paying for. Take a close look at the additional expenses that may be included onto your school fees, such as transportation fees or extracurricular costs. For instance, if your child isn’t particularly interested in sports, it might not make sense to pay for sports training or equipment.

How to Apply and Benefit:

To effectively reduce these extra costs, follow these steps:

  • Identify Your Child’s Interests: Begin by having an open conversation with your child about their interests and passions. Are they enthusiastic about sports, music, or other extracurricular activities? Identifying their true interests is the key.
  • Examine School Offerings: Take a look at what the school offers in terms of extracurricular activities and specialised training. Are there any options that align with your child’s interests and if not see if you can skip them.
  • Optimise Your Choices: Based on your child’s interests and the school’s offerings, choose the activities or services that are most relevant and beneficial to your child. Avoid signing up for things that your child doesn’t enjoy or participate in.
  • Discuss with the School: Talk with the school staff in charge or the particular department about making your child’s school experience more personalised. Ask if there are ways to cut back on certain services or activities that your child might not need. This can help you spend less.

5. Referral Bonuses

5. Referral Bonuses

Some schools offer referral programs that appreciate parents who bring in new students to the school. In simple terms, if you introduce someone who’s interested in enrolling their child at the same school, you could receive a bonus as a token of gratitude. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement where you help a friend while saving on school fees.

How to Apply and Benefit:

Follow these steps to effectively benefit from referral bonuses:

  • Check the School’s Policy: Start by checking if your child’s school has a referral program in place. It may not always be widely advertised, so be sure to look into this policy.
  • Identify Potential Referrals: Reach out to your friends, family, or acquaintances who are considering enrolling their child in a school. If you know someone interested, you’ve got a potential referral.
  • Connect with the School: Contact the school’s administration or admissions department to inquire about their referral program. Ask them for the specific details, including any requirements or forms you need to complete.
  • Share Information: If you have a potential referral, share the necessary information with the school. This may include the contact details of the prospective student or their family.
  • Follow Up: Stay in touch with the school to track the progress of your referral and ensure that you receive the bonus as agreed upon.

6. Payment Plans

6.  Payment Plans

Payment plans are arrangements offered by many schools to allow parents to spread the cost of school fees over several months instead of paying a lump sum upfront. This flexibility can significantly ease the financial burden, making it easier for parents to manage their budget.

How to Apply and Benefit:

  • Ask the School: Start by reaching out to the school’s financial office or administration to ask about the payment plans they offer. It’s essential to understand what’s available, as different schools may have various options.
  • Check Your Choices: Review the payment plans available and choose the one that suits your family’s financial situation. Some schools may offer monthly, quarterly, or other instalment options. Pick the one that aligns with your budget.
  • Fill Out the Forms: In most cases, you’ll need to complete some paperwork or application forms to enrol in the payment plan. Make sure you provide accurate and complete information.
  • Make Your Schedule: Once you’re part of a payment plan, be clear about the schedule. Understand when your payments are due and the amounts for each instalment. This will help you plan your finances.

7. Scholarships

7.  Scholarships

Scholarships are like golden tickets to making your child’s education more affordable. They can come in various forms, including merit-based scholarships for academic achievements, athletic scholarships for sports abilities, or need-based scholarships for families with financial constraints. Scholarships are like financial gifts that can significantly reduce the cost of education.

How to Apply and Benefit:

  • Research Available Scholarships: Begin by researching the scholarships offered by your child’s school. Most schools have scholarship programs, and it’s essential to understand what’s available.
  • Identify Eligibility Criteria: Different scholarships have different criteria. Some are based on academic achievements, while others may consider your child’s talents in sports, arts, or specific subjects. Determine which scholarships your child is eligible for based on their strengths and interests.
  • Gather Required Documents: Scholarships usually require specific documents, such as letters of recommendation or essays. Ensure you have all the necessary paperwork ready.
  • Complete the Application: Carefully fill out the scholarship application, providing accurate and detailed information. Follow any instructions provided by the school.
  • Submit Before Deadlines: Pay close attention to application deadlines and ensure you submit all required materials on time. Missing deadlines can lead to missed opportunities.

Final Thoughts

So, we hope you were surprised by most of these tactics to save school fees and will definitely try them out. If not all, referrals and early enrolment discounts usually work out in every school and if you have more than one child going to the same school, you can also avail siblings discount! Also, try to be active in school activities and keep applying for fellowships so you can cut some costs there too. Don’t forget to reach out to the school and talk to other parents and ask them if they follow any of such tactics to get some discount. Let us know if it works out for you!


What’s Next

We suggest asking yourselves, ‘What do you want for your kid in Bangalore?’ Make a list of the ‘must  haves’ and the ‘nice  to  haves.’

Also, don’t be shy, talk to everyone! Friends and neighbors in Bangalore may have some thoughts. Check online too, but remember, reviews are like opinions, everyone’s got one! Oh, school visits! Take a tour, meet the teachers, ask questions, and see if it clicks in Bangalore. Open houses are super helpful too, you’ll learn about what they teach and meet other parents.

And don’t forget the money talk school fees are just the tip of the iceberg in Bangalore. There are uniforms, field trips, and the occasional surprise costs. Stay on top of the applications, they may be followed by an interview. When it comes to interviews, just being yourself is the key, even for kids.

But really, you can’t go wrong with any of these Bangalore schools, as they are the best in Bangalore. Let us know which one you end up enrolling your kid in!



Varsha & Adi

Hi, we are Varsha and Adi, and we’re on a mission to help parents make the right choice for their kids’ education. Picking a school is like a 10-year commitment, and we realized parents needed clear, no-nonsense info. That’s why we created Candid Schools, where you can get the real deal on schools without the fancy jargon. Our goal is simple: to give parents the info they need to make the best choice for their little ones.

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