Why scholarships matter in Lebanon’s international schools

Beirut and its surrounding areas host a mix of American, British, French and IB schools that attract expat and local families. Economic conditions mean that full fees are challenging for many, so scholarships, bursaries and concessions are an important part of school access.

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1. Scholarship and bursary types

• Academic merit scholarships – tied to performance in IB, AP, IGCSE or local exams.
• Senior‑school scholarships – for high‑achieving students entering upper‑secondary programmes.
• Needs‑based bursaries – partial relief for families under financial pressure.
• Sibling and staff discounts – reductions for large families and school employees.

Examples of Lebanese schools with scholarship programmes

Beirut:

• International College (IC Beirut) – Offers scholarships and financial aid based on academic merit and need; awards can cover a significant portion of tuition for some students.
• American Community School Beirut (ACS) – Provides limited financial aid and merit‑based support, particularly for senior‑secondary students.
• Collège Notre‑Dame de Jamhour / other long‑established schools – Often run bursary and scholarship funds targeted at capable students from families under financial strain.

Award sizes and availability vary year to year, depending on school budgets and donor support.

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2. Typical coverage levels

From the examples above, common ranges include:

• Academic scholarships: often 10–40% of tuition.
• High‑need bursaries: occasionally 40–70% where school resources permit.
• Sibling and staff discounts: typically 5–25%.

Full‑fee coverage is rare and usually associated with specific foundation or donor‑funded initiatives.

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3. Eligibility, competition and what schools look for

International and bilingual schools in Lebanon typically consider:

• Strong academic results and teacher recommendations.
• Character, community service and leadership, especially for senior scholarships.
• For bursaries: clear, honest documentation of family income and expenses.
• Occasionally, particular talents in sport or the arts may be recognised.

Competition is significant because many families seek support, especially during times of economic difficulty.

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4. Application process and timelines

Typical steps:

1. Review school websites and scholarship/bursary pages (often under “Admissions” or “Financial Aid”).
2. Submit admissions application first, then fill out scholarship or aid forms.
3. Provide supporting documents – academic records, references, and financial information for bursaries.
4. Deadlines – many schools set internal deadlines several months before the start of the new academic year.

Because scholarship budgets are limited, early and well‑documented applications have the best chance of success.

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5. Duration and renewal

• Awards are typically granted for one year, with the possibility of renewal.
• Renewal is normally contingent on:
  • Maintaining satisfactory grades and conduct.
  • Continued financial need.

Check each school’s policy to see whether support is expected to continue through graduation or is reviewed year by year.

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How Tutopiya supports families in Lebanon

Tutopiya helps students in Lebanon by:

• Strengthening performance in IB, AP, IGCSE and other international curricula.
• Providing a stable, online learning environment even when local conditions disrupt schooling.
• Helping families connect international‑school scholarships with longer‑term university study plans abroad.

If your child is aiming for an international school scholarship in Beirut, Tutopiya can help them develop the academic results and resilience that selection committees look for.