Why Saudi international school scholarships are growing

Saudi Arabia’s major cities – Riyadh, Jeddah, Dammam/Khobar – now have many British, American and IB schools serving both expat and local families. Fees have risen as facilities and curricula have improved, and some schools now offer scholarships and fee assistance to attract and retain top students.

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1. Scholarship types in Saudi international schools

• Academic merit scholarships linked to exam and internal assessment performance.
• Senior‑school (A Level/IB) awards for high‑performing students in exam years.
• Talent scholarships for sport, arts or leadership at selected schools.
• Needs‑based or hardship support for families facing temporary financial challenges.
• Employer‑linked discounts arranged by companies and ministries.

Examples of Saudi schools with scholarship programmes

Riyadh:

• British International School Riyadh

  • Academic scholarships: Typically 10–40% of tuition, with higher percentages for exceptional IGCSE/A Level results. IB/A Level scholarships can provide 25–60% fee reduction for outstanding candidates entering senior years.
  • Talent scholarships: Sports and arts scholarships usually 10–25% depending on level.
  • Other: Also offers sibling discounts (typically 5–10% per additional child).
  • Deadlines: Applications usually October–December for the following academic year.

• American International School Riyadh

  • Academic scholarships: Academic excellence awards often 25–35% fee reduction. Senior‑school scholarships sometimes 30–50% for top performers.
  • Deadlines: Applications often due September–November.

• King Faisal School

  • Academic scholarships: Merit scholarships usually 10–30% coverage.
  • Talent scholarships: Music and sports scholarships typically 10–25%.
  • Deadlines: Applications typically October–December.

• Riyadh Schools – Academic scholarships typically 10–35% fee reduction. Applications often September–November.

Jeddah:

• British International School Jeddah – Academic excellence scholarships, typically 10–40% of fees. Applications usually October–December.
• American International School Jeddah – Merit scholarships available, usually 10–30% coverage.
• Jeddah Knowledge International School – Academic scholarships typically 10–35% fee reduction.

Dammam/Khobar:

• British International School Al Khobar – Academic scholarships available, typically 10–30% coverage.
• Dhahran British Grammar School – Merit scholarships, usually 10–25% fee reduction.

Employer discounts:

• Many schools offer corporate discounts (often 10–20%) for employees of partner companies (e.g. Aramco, SABIC).

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2. Typical fee coverage

Based on the schools listed above, typical coverage ranges are:

• Academic scholarships: 10–40% of tuition, with higher percentages (up to 60%) for exceptional IB/A Level candidates.
• Talent/sporting scholarships: 10–25% depending on level of achievement.
• Corporate discounts: 10–20% for employees of partner companies.

Full fee coverage is unusual and usually limited to special initiatives.

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3. Eligibility, odds and what schools look for

Schools usually consider:

• Academic strength, especially in Maths, Sciences and English.
• Behaviour and contribution to school life.
• Level of commitment for talent/sporting awards (training hours, competition level, evidence of high‑level performance).
• Documented financial difficulty for bursaries.

Competition levels:

• Premium schools receive many applications; competition is strong (see school examples above for specific requirements).
• Sporting scholarships are limited and often require national‑level representation or equivalent achievement.

Scholarship places are limited; treat them as competitive bonuses, not guaranteed funding.

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4. Application process and timelines

General steps:

1. Shortlist schools and read their scholarship/bursary policies carefully.
2. Gather reports, exam certificates and references, plus financial documents if applying for bursaries.
3. Submit applications by the stated deadlines (often months before the academic year).
4. Sit any entrance or scholarship tests, interviews or auditions.

Because many families move in line with corporate and government postings, timing is critical.

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5. Duration and renewal

• Most scholarships are annual and subject to grade and behaviour checks.
• Employer or ministry discounts depend on continued employment.

Ask schools to clarify what happens if grades fall or job situations change.

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How Tutopiya helps Saudi‑based families

Tutopiya supports students in Saudi Arabia by:

• Providing online tutoring for IGCSE, A Levels and IB aligned with British and international curricula.
• Helping students achieve and maintain scholarship‑level performance in core subjects.
• Supporting families to think ahead to university scholarships once school funding is in place.

If you live in Riyadh, Jeddah or Dammam and are exploring international school scholarships, Tutopiya can help your child develop the academic strength and consistency schools want to reward.