Letter to School About Problems Paying School Fees

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Letter to School About Problems Paying School Fees

If your family's finances have taken a battering, perhaps because one of your child's parents has lost his or her job, and all of your carefully laid school-fee paying plans have been disrupted, then you may feel very upset and concerned.

You obviously will not want to disturb your child's education by taking him or her out of the school if at all possible, and this will probably be a particular concern if your child is about to take public exams as he or she will be at a very crucial stage of their education. You may feel like this is the only solution, but you should first contact your child's school to ask for advice.

It is advisable to contact the school as soon as you realise that you are going to face problems paying the school fees: if you have defaulted on a term's payment, and the school has sent you several letters which you have ignored, they are going to be less likely to help out than if you have contacted them in advance of the school bill, advised them that you have serious concerns with paying the following term's fees, and asked for advice.

What To Do Next

It is a surprising fact to many parents that a large proportion of pupils who attend independent school receive some kind of financial help with their fees. This help can include bursaries, which are usually means-tested sums of money to help children who would not otherwise be able to attend the school to study there, or scholarships, which are usually awarded to students based on criteria such as academic ability, or musical or sport or artistic talent. While bursaries can cover the full amount of school fees, scholarships are usually worth less, they are unlikely to be worth more than 50% of the full fees. It's a good idea to ask schools whether any financial assistance is available if you think your period of financial hardship will be temporary. If, however, you cannot foresee being able to pay school fees for the next few years, it may be better to seek the school's advice about taking your child out of school before a particularly important period, such as the GCSE and sixth form years.

This letter format laid out below shows how parents can write to a school to request to meet with an advisor to talk over financial problems and discuss any possible solutions. It is based on a fictional family's contact with their school.

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The School House
School Lane
Schoolville
England

Parental Address
Family Home
Anytown
England

March 2026

Dear Headteacher

My daughter Kelly is studying in year 9 at The School House and is very happy studying at the school. However, last week my husband was made redundant and our plans for paying the school fees have been heavily disturbed. We are especially worried about paying next term's fees, and wanted to get in touch as soon as possible to discuss this with you. We would obviously love Kelly to continue her education at the School House undisturbed but appreciate this may not be possible as we are unsure when her dad will be able to find employment.

We are obviously very concerned and would appreciate the opportunity to come and talk to you about this. To arrange a time, you can contact me, Mother, on [your phone number] or [your mobile number], or email me at mother@parents.com, or via the address above.

With thanks for your time and best wishes

[signature]

Mrs Sith, mother of Kelly Sith

Families struggling with school fees may also wish to explore government support options that could help during periods of financial hardship. Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for Universal Credit, cost of living payments, or other assistance schemes. Visit gov.uk to find out what support you may qualify for.

Your situation may be slightly different. ask a question below ↓ and our editorial team will reply with our advice.

The Next Step

School Fees Letter Writer

Now that you have read through the advice above, you might want to put it into practice. Our School Fees Letter Writer lets you write about school fees, payment plans, bursaries, or financial difficulty. Takes 2 minutes. Try it now →

Ask Education Letters a Question
EducationLetters Editor 31/03/2026 at 8:00 pm
@Millie I can really understand how stressful this must be with registration closing soon. It sounds like you're dealing with complications from previous funding issues that are now affecting your current studies at Wits.

Since you're dealing with NSFAS funding problems from your Oral Hygiene studies that are impacting your Dentistry registration, I'd suggest contacting Wits' Student Finance Office immediately. They often have advisors who understand these complex situations and may know about emergency funding options or payment plans.

Also reach out to NSFAS directly to clarify the outstanding amount and discuss possible solutions. The Wits SRC might have resources too, as they sometimes help students navigate funding crises.

Don't lose hope. Many students face similar challenges and universities often have processes to help committed students like you continue their studies.
Millie 29/01/2025 at 4:35 pm
I can't register for my second year due to outstanding fees because last year 2024 I was not funded in order to register I have to pay I study at wits dentistry. 2021 I studied Oral Hygiene and after finishing the said I am owing NSFAS did pay so I am so stressed cause the registration is closing soon.
Dk 04/10/2024 at 11:42 am
Good day

Please help me of writing a letter to request for exception School fee form for my daughter. She will be doing grade 8 next year. I don't don't know how start.

Thank you
Bruno 24/04/2023 at 4:29 am
Please help me and write a letter of
How was
your fees paid and who paid it from PLE onwards
wolex 23/06/2022 at 3:50 pm
please help me on how to write a letter to the school management about not paying the school fees yet
Prof 15/04/2022 at 4:56 am
I am prosper a student of NJA college of education, I have been enrolled into the school last year to study a degree programs in education but for this semester my mom who is the sole person taking care of me is in hard time because this year her farm produce does not give her a good yield and with due problem she could not pay my all my school fees and now we have been ask to make payment before they could register as for the exams and with this I suck for financial support from any God fearing person to help me further my education successful .
If any help this are detail of my Momo account number .
0548843728
Name Bensire Dari Prosper
Region Wa upper west
District wa West
Town Tambaari
Kkman 14/04/2022 at 10:09 am
Help me write a letter to my school financial accountant pleading about my fees not yet paid
Cudjoe Darlington 05/04/2022 at 12:50 pm
Letter to the Src secretary why my school fees has been paid
Neerah 20/04/2021 at 11:25 pm
Dear all,
My name is Bala a proud father of Mahneerah, I wish to request for your hand in assistance, my dear daughter is in primary 1 in an Islamic school by name ABU UBAYD ISLAMIC SCHOOL, I have outstanding school fees of 11,000 for last term and she has started another term last month and the school are already disturbing for payment of the previous balance and paying of the new one that makes it 32,000.
I sincerely need your assistance.
Here is her account details if GOD touches your heart.
BALA MAHNEERAH SOKOGA
FCMB
4049791012.
THANK YOU.
PROUD FATHER OF MAHNEERAH
edmud crush 19/04/2021 at 12:43 pm
My name is esan david,i am from unit secondary school ode aye. I have learn from this letter.
Jesus 11/04/2021 at 9:27 am
hello I want to help me how to write a letter to the bank to discount some money in order to pay my school fees thank you
Solace 08/04/2021 at 11:56 pm
Please help me with some few reasons why our parents should pay the remaining part of our school fees in reference to school of nursing
Ogeh 12/03/2021 at 12:21 pm
My name is Ogeh Imelochi a student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education portharcourt final year student but have not paid my 2 years school fees please i need help cus i can't afford it
Chalwe mathews 05/11/2020 at 4:27 am
Please help me on how to write a letter to a principal, am in college first year second term I want to start paying in installment but by the end of my course I can setter all the balances because to am paying for my self an I have little time to find money and am on 50% bursary from gorvement
ladymay 15/10/2020 at 8:06 am
I want any advice of how to write a letter to my College Management regarding my school fees that is outstanding due to lost of job because of covid 19 pademic.Now i want to ask them to allow me to write my final examination and settle my school fees next year end of february.
Ketty perry 13/10/2020 at 9:14 pm
How can I write a letter to the minster of high education concerning my daughter.... Have failed to pay her tuition fees and she's in her second year of study ..please help am the mother and have been told by the school to write an application letter
Dramatic 02/10/2020 at 5:20 pm
I was asked to pay a penalty on late payment of fees , written to that registrar asking him to allow me register without a penalty
Alicklicious 23/08/2020 at 9:53 am
Thanks for those,I really need to know how to write a commitment letter
Vapeny 05/08/2020 at 5:19 pm
Hi. Iam student studying nurse and I am here to ask for help because I am unable to pay for my school fee, and school is saying I m not going to write since I have the outstanding. I'm asking for so I continue with my studies and write my exam in September
Isha 14/07/2020 at 8:36 am
Plz how to write letter about not able to pay fees during Covid 19 situation n Children is not able to attend online classes because there is no other mobile . Only one mobile available but as working woman not possible to give mobile to my son
Gabi 09/07/2020 at 8:31 am
Hi please help me im unable to pay school fees because my husband lost his job last year September then this year find another one. He was supposed to start on the 1 april but couldn't because of covid 19. Please help what to do
Ruhotora 01/07/2020 at 12:01 pm
Jesus was call me to save him,but I find sponsor who will cover all my needs for the three years where I'm cntinouring my studies.Im have converted into Jesus Christ
Mpho 10/06/2020 at 12:22 am
My name is Mpho mashapa I would like to apply exemption for schools fees because can't afford
Yondela 28/05/2020 at 2:07 pm
My nephew has been blocked from going back to school because his mom is in arrears but she can’t pay the money immediately because she’s in a bad financial situation right now. He has to be back at school by Sunday but they won’t let him go back. What can we do?
poly 30/01/2020 at 8:18 am
My nephew has completed her 5th standard from Kolkata,s reputed school but now her parents are unable to pay her yearly session fees so that they dropped her from the school ,my nephew is crying all the times ,because of her studies are stooped some one please give me
Savage 25/01/2020 at 5:08 am
I payed my school fees early so after the deadline for paying the school fee i discovered that my name wasn't among those people that payed. Please i need a sample letter of this because i am writing it to the provost
Lay 28/12/2019 at 11:41 am
Hi! I am a single parent who wants education for my daughter, I am struggling to pay her 2019 outstanding. She is year 9 next year and unable to continue her study .pls help me is there any other way for her to pull through her IGCSE.
Kephas 21/12/2019 at 8:04 pm
I'm kephas Natangwe uushona from Namibia and my parents can't help me to pay my school fees, i need to someone to help me so I can continue with my studies please ??
Wes 22/11/2019 at 5:39 am
How i can write the Application to the principal and tell to him for a problem payment in college fees in this year...
peejosh 06/11/2019 at 1:17 pm
I want to now that ho2 to right an letter to school regarded to fees
Shweta 07/10/2019 at 8:02 pm
Hi I am separated mother of my child , he was studying in 5 std now he is at home and not going school because I'm financially very weak this year and his school removed him from school please help me with the letter where I request school for his consession
Tasdique 18/09/2019 at 3:52 pm
Letter to a chairman for lack of state transport corporation complaining about transport facility.
Dinah 12/08/2019 at 10:26 am
I'm a mother of 4kids and my daughter just finished her matric last year so I don't have the money to take her to the college or university so that she can finish her studies, please can someone help me to find a solution please..
Rose 10/06/2019 at 2:27 am
Write a letter to your principal for not able to write exams due to financial difficulties
Annu 02/04/2019 at 8:09 pm
I'm a student in indianschool and my father had gone to the jail for selling beer and after that all the fee payment was pending we went to see the vice principal and they just told they will try to help us tommorrow my school is reopening and I wish that I could go to school my mother told she can't do anything
What did I do,my feeling is not seen by anyone
zara 29/03/2019 at 2:30 pm
a letter to principle about not able to give the exam fee for chawkbazar tragedy and let my child to give the exam.
please email a application regarding this topic.
Letso 30/10/2018 at 8:37 am
I am a student at Sandton Technical college and my Parents cant pay my education fees.i'm doing IT programming.And I love what i'm studying.
surkit 13/10/2018 at 4:39 am
I want an application to principal for reducing my monthly fee from the actual fee
Rk 07/10/2018 at 5:11 pm
How can i writte a letter to my principal amount fees balance
Aimee hydara 05/09/2018 at 1:39 pm
Well I need help to my school education program
Madiha Ansari 31/08/2018 at 1:54 pm
How to write a letter to the principal for paying bus fees from July because I am.not coming to school.before 3 months because of my health issues
askologist 05/08/2018 at 9:40 am
write a letter to the principal to inform him about the failure of paying your college feels of next term please
T 27/07/2018 at 7:25 am
I am tushar i ve qualified my 10th board examination in 2018 from a reputed private school . I continued in the same school for one month without admission. Now my parents are not affording fee for payment due to financial problems and i have to take admission in a government school but my previous school authority is demanding full fees which i could not pay what should i do for issuance of my school leaving certificate without giving any fees.
nicky 19/07/2018 at 10:39 am
I am a single parent and I am unemployed. I have 8 students staying with me in the house,, I am unable to pay my nephew school fees,, he will be doing his National Cerficate Two training program..pls help me write a letter to the school
Shaikh 24/06/2018 at 10:26 pm
Application for leaving certificate.. As my son is not doing well in the present school. He can't grasp anything in his studies.. So I want to change the school..
Babita 01/06/2018 at 9:11 am
How to write an e-mail to know the half yearly fee structure of the school?? Please reply fast I need it urgently.
Banu 03/05/2018 at 3:55 am
I required a formal email for requesting extend my outstanding fees for university and inform I am final year student finishing my final project. Inform them I will pay my outstanding by two times end of this month and next month.
N.. 18/03/2018 at 9:41 am
Write a letter to principal requesting discount in my college and school fees because my surname is nabila . Because this is nichla jaat. Plz plz make a letter based on this topic and send it to my email. Plsssszz
The Waziri 27/02/2018 at 11:42 pm
Thanks
I need letter to write to principal show him difficult of school fees
Queen 08/11/2017 at 6:42 pm
this thing you are writing does not help me on my assingnment i am writing this letter to my father about schoolfees not to the headteacher
chotu 29/08/2017 at 5:52 am
Write a letter to principal requesting discount in my college fees because my surname is ANSARI .
Because this is nichla jaat.
Plz is Ke upper ek letter banakar mere email par send kar do me aap ka aabhari rahuga .
bhoomi 24/07/2017 at 10:14 am
My Daughter Study In Class VIth School Fee Pending Since June-2017 To march-2017 previous class vth but school has not given result and not allowed to sit in school Since last 25 march-2017. Reason is fee late due my mother are hospitalized last eight month due to open heart heart surgery lots of expense on their treatment approx 3.5 laikh Rupee we want that first allowed sit my daughter in school and up to 60% due clear by cheque and other allowed in installment in 5 to 6 month and my daughter not attend the school since 23-mart -2017 to till date 24-July-2017.so not making the fee current month.
s 15/05/2017 at 1:22 pm
I am shivam, i ve qualified in 2016 my 10th board examination, or taken admissin in a private school,in 11th . On time of admission, i have submitted my school leaving certificate. now my parents are not affording fee for payment due to financial problems and i have to take admission in a government school , what should i do for issuance of my school leaving certificate?
worshiper 11/04/2017 at 1:05 pm
I a man aged 18 I completed my grade twelve in 2016 I am owing the school money and for this reason the school is withholding my results and its so unfortunate that I just lost my dad and huv no one to sponser me what can I do I need help
nyamedo 21/03/2017 at 11:20 am
am a student nurse but am finding difficult of paying my school fees.am trying to get job but am not getting one.previously i was working but not working anymore.am the one who is taking care of myself i cannot bare it again.am faces many challenge in life .sometime i try to harm my self because of financial.am confuse
Nomfu 22/02/2017 at 9:10 am
Indeed help with my fees at university I have single parent and I only with R9000 to take my certificate can you please help me thanks..
jacky 12/01/2017 at 12:41 pm
hi am a single parent who wants better education for my daughter,am struggling to pay last year outstanding instalment and registration fees and i ddnt get my daughter report because of outstanding instalment and my daughter is still home i dnt know what to do.
NBK 25/11/2016 at 1:56 am
Any where you are may Allah with you whether you do khair or not
dhuruv 28/10/2016 at 4:43 pm
Very..........nic.........it help me to write a application ...
.........
Thank .......u........very...,...........much....
EducationLetters Editor 10/08/2016 at 10:19 am
As you may be aware, if your ex is not earning then it is very difficult to be able to claim child maintenance which could help you with your fees. If you feel the school fees are adding up and you are struggling to afford them, in addition to the information in the article, you may have to consider changing your children's schools to non-fee-paying schools. If your children have left school - but you are behind on your fees, regardless of what results they have achieved, you would still have to approach the school and ask to come to an arrangment to pay what you owe.
inder 09/08/2016 at 8:56 am
I have 2son who's studying but my husband was job less from last 5yr seen that the all responsibility on my had but still I am trying to pay the fees from the last 6month school fees are pending even I didn't get the result also the school has been started from June but my children are still at home to heavily say that plz give me solution
Dee 17/03/2016 at 12:19 pm
There is a scholarship package in my daughter school which they have been asked to write a letter . Please they have asked me to write a letter telling them about my situation why I found it difficult to pay the fees so that she can be given some
EducationLetters Editor 21/04/2015 at 11:54 am
@yoyo - we can't write one for you directly, the idea is to use the letter on the page as a rough template and guide. It means you can take what you need from it and discard the bits you don't want, while adding your own words. I hope this helps.
yoyo 19/04/2015 at 10:10 am
Pls let me know someone that how to write application for quarterly fees convert into monthly fees in school.
SASHA 19/01/2015 at 1:55 pm
can you please send me the sample of letter to the college to request the opportunity of proceeding in college after stopping to go the second semester without any information due to the hardship of fee
EducationLetters Editor 20/01/2015 at 12:34 pm
@Hannah - if you scroll to the bottom of the article there is a template letter included where you can just make the relevant changes to suit your needs. I hope this helps.
Hannah 18/01/2015 at 9:28 am
Hi there,

Hope all is well at your end.

I would like to ask my company for some discount for my daughters school fees. I am working in this school for almost 7 years . Can you help me to write a request letter for tuition fee discount. I dont know where to start .. I dont know what to say.

Thanks very many.

kind regards

Hannah
Elaii (ESS) 10/10/2014 at 1:57 am
I really want to say thank you because its helpping me alot in my past six (6) months course I have taken. I took some of the ideas out from this web site and wrote a letter to sponsors and seek some funds to complete my studies.Next year I am indending to do Diploma and I kindly asking you if you could send me some sample letters for tuition fee request to sponsors...thank you
kambishi 21/03/2013 at 5:46 am
the letter is good, please i need the example of the outstanding school fees payment send it in my email.

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