In the past many former students were in receipt of a local authority scholarship and, in more recent times, the Assisted Places Scheme helped a very large number of pupils. The School has also provided its own bursaries thanks to the generosity of far sighted benefactors, and from capital funds.

In 1998 the government began the phasing out of the Assisted Places Scheme and for the first time Manchester High School for Girls, like many other independent schools, now has to fund all bursaries offered to deserving students.  We currently support 112 girls at a cost of over half a million pounds a year.  All MHSG bursaries are means tested and recipients must be able to meet exacting academic criteria. 

Despite the withdrawal of the Assisted Places Scheme, the governors and staff are united in their determination to ensure the wishes of the School's founders continue to be fulfilled: that the benefits of an education at Manchester High School for Girls should not be restricted only to those who can pay the fees, and that talented girls, regardless of circumstances, should be able to enjoy what Manchester High School for Girls offers. The generosity of donors will help us achieve this.

The whole character of Manchester High School for Girls has been shaped by its accessibility to girls of academic ability across a wide spectrum of social, religious and cultural backgrounds. We wish to ensure this continues and that the School retains its national academic reputation now and in the future.