Why Ghanaian families look for international school scholarships

Accra, Tema and Kumasi host a growing number of British, American and IB schools serving expat and local families. Fees are high relative to average household income, so scholarships, bursaries and discounts can make international schooling more accessible.

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1. Scholarship and bursary types

• Academic merit scholarships – for top performers in IGCSE, WASSCE, IB or internal scholarship exams.
• Senior‑secondary scholarships – for strong applicants entering A Level or IB Diploma years.
• Needs‑based bursaries – partial fee relief after financial assessment.
• Sibling and corporate discounts – reductions for large families and employees of major companies.

Examples of Ghanaian schools with scholarship programmes

Accra & Tema:

• Lincoln Community School (Accra) – IB World School with needs‑based financial aid that can cover a significant portion of tuition for qualifying families.
• Ghana International School (GIS) – Offers limited scholarships and fee concessions based on academic merit and need.
• SOS‑Hermann Gmeiner International College (Tema) – Provides scholarships and bursaries to high‑achieving students from across Africa, sometimes covering a large share of fees.
• Morgan International Community School / other premium schools – Often run merit and bursary schemes in the 10–40% range.

Kumasi & other cities:

• Leading international and private schools sometimes offer academic scholarships and fee reductions, particularly for exam years, typically in the 10–30% range.

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2. Typical percentage of fees covered

Indicative ranges from Ghanaian international schools:

• Academic scholarships: 10–40% of tuition.
• High‑profile awards / regional scholarships: Occasionally 50–70% at schools with strong donor support.
• Bursaries: Often 15–40%, depending on family finances.
• Sibling and corporate discounts: Typically 5–20%.

Full fee coverage is rare and usually tied to specific foundation or access programmes.

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3. Eligibility and competition

Schools typically consider:

• Consistent high academic performance and positive teacher comments.
• Strong English language skills and readiness for international curricula.
• For bursaries: clear evidence of financial need.
• For any talent awards: demonstrable achievements in sport, music or leadership.

Scholarship numbers are limited, so families should treat awards as competitive bonuses rather than guaranteed funding.

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4. Application process and timelines

General steps:

1. Identify schools that advertise clear scholarship or bursary policies on their websites.
2. Collect academic documents – recent reports, external exam results, references.
3. Prepare financial documents if applying for bursaries (income statements, business records, etc.).
4. Submit applications early – many schools make decisions one or two terms before the new year.
5. Attend assessments – entrance tests, interviews and, where applicable, auditions or sports trials.

Start planning 9–12 months in advance of the desired entry date.

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5. Duration, renewal and key conditions

• Most scholarships and bursaries are granted for one year, with the possibility of renewal.
• Renewal usually depends on:
  • Maintaining strong grades and conduct.
  • Continued financial need (for bursaries).
  • Positive participation in school life.

Families should confirm in writing what happens if grades fall or financial circumstances change.

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How Tutopiya supports families in Ghana

Tutopiya helps Ghanaian and expat students by:

• Improving performance in IGCSE, A Levels, IB and local curricula, which directly affects scholarship decisions.
• Preparing students for entrance and scholarship exams in core subjects.
• Advising families (from an academic perspective) on subject choices and exam strategies that strengthen scholarship applications.

If you are exploring international school scholarships in Accra, Tema or other Ghanaian cities, Tutopiya can help your child build the grades and confidence needed to stand out.