Grant and Funding Programs Offered by Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS)

Rothesay Netherwood School (RNS) is a co‑educational independent day and boarding school located in Rothesay, New Brunswick, serving students from grades 6 to 12 and offering the International Baccalaureate program. In addition to its academic and co‑curricular mission, RNS plays an important role in the educational funding ecosystem by administering a structured portfolio of scholarships and bursaries that help make an independent school education accessible to a wider range of families.

The school’s homepage highlights that more than $1.5 million in scholarships and bursaries are given and that roughly one‑third of students receive bursary support, underscoring a significant commitment to financial aid. The RNS Foundation and the RNS US Foundation provide oversight and guidance on major financial decisions, budgets, and projects, supporting the long‑term sustainability of endowed funds that underpin this assistance.

Boards for both foundations are composed of alumni, parents, past parents, and friends of the school, and meet regularly as formal governance bodies. Their role includes reviewing major projects and financial plans, helping ensure that philanthropic contributions are stewarded responsibly and directed toward priorities such as student aid and facilities.

RNS operates a defined Scholarships & Bursaries program for new students entering grades 6–12. Merit‑based scholarships are available to applicants who meet a specified academic average and demonstrate strong engagement and leadership potential. These awards do not require repayment and can be renewed annually as long as the student remains in good standing and meets the criteria for the specific scholarship.

Need‑based bursaries are awarded to Canadian families on the basis of demonstrated financial need. The size and number of bursary grants are limited by the endowment funds available and by the volume of applicants in a given year. All bursary applications are assessed through an independent service, Apple Financial Services, which provides recommendations to the school.

Prospective students file a standard admission application to RNS and, in parallel, may submit a Scholarship Portfolio and/or a bursary application. The Scholarship Portfolio typically includes an essay, a short video introduction, evidence of achievements or well‑rounded involvement in academics, arts, service, or sport, and a recommendation letter. Bursary applicants must complete detailed financial disclosure forms via Apple Financial Services.

Scholarships and bursaries are awarded in two main annual rounds with published deadlines, and decisions are communicated on a rolling basis within set windows. Returning families must re‑apply for financial aid each year, with decisions adjusted when family financial circumstances change. Awards are credited directly to tuition accounts once enrolment for the following academic year is confirmed.

The primary beneficiaries of RNS funding are current and prospective students and their families, particularly Canadian students seeking need‑based assistance and academically strong applicants aiming for merit awards. By combining philanthropic governance through the RNS Foundation with transparent scholarship and bursary processes, the school expands access to its programs and maintains a diverse, inclusive student body drawn from New Brunswick, across Canada, and around the world.