Parenting gifted children is a blessing, but also requires a lot of hard work. As a gifted student, your child requires access to everything they could possibly need to reach their full potential. The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation enables parents of gifted children to do just that.
The Foundation's team place high value on the role that parents and guardians play in the student's life in terms of providing a sound environment for academic excellence to flourish and the entrepreneurial spirit to take root.
By providing full bursaries that cover tuition, living expenses and an array of entrepreneurial and personal development programmes, the Foundation ensures that your gifted child's education and development is given the priority it deserves.
Please select the option below that applies to you:
Identifying Gifted Children
While it is natural for each parent to consider their child gifted, you can use these selection criteria utilised by the Foundation for identifying gifted children that would be considered candidates for the Allan Gray Scholarship programme (secondary education):
- Does the child exhibit exceptional ability and potential in Mathematics and English?
- Does the child clearly demonstrate financial need?
- Is the child a South African citizen?
- Does the child demonstrate the hallmarks of wisdom and knowledge, courage, vision and leadership?
Frequently Asked Questions from Parents
To assist you, the Foundation has compiled a list of questions regularly received from parents of gifted children who are interested in the programme. Browse through these questions for further information.
Can my child/learner apply for the opportunity at any stage?
No, your child needs to be in Grade 6 to apply for the Allan Gray Scholarship or in either Grade 12 or 1st year of university to apply for the Allan Gray Fellowship.
If my child is exceptional - but doesn't have the grades stipulated - will funding be considered?
Unfortunately not, the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation's programmes either start at the beginning of high school or at the beginning of the university career. They are developmental learning programmes which require being on the programme from the outset of the learning experience as entry at later stages would mean that vital learning would have been missed.
I would like my child to attend the university/school of my choice, will they still be able to apply for funding?
Unfortunately, if your chosen educational institution is not one of our preferred schools or universities, the Foundation will not be able to provide funding.
My child is a top performing athlete and is really exceptional in this area. Would they still be considered as a candidate?
If your child meets all the criteria for gifted child identification, you are welcome to apply on his/her behalf. Unfortunately, the Foundation does not provide athletic funding.
