Why do we give scholarships? And how does that work?
Author: Sophonie Lim, Admissions Lead
Since opening our doors in 2009, Lighthouse has been committed to one guiding idea: that access to quality education should not depend on a family’s income. As a non-profit school governed by the Lighthouse Trust, we exist to provide excellent, values-driven education, and our scholarship programme is a vital expression of that mission.
Why offer Scholarships?
Private education in Mauritius, as in many parts of the world, is often out of reach for many families. Our scholarship programme is one of the key ways we give back to the community, and we’ve offered scholarships from the very beginning. Each year, families in our community, through the Trust, and even some departing parents who opt to donate their refundable deposits, help fund this effort.
Lighthouse scholarships reflect our core philosophy: we’re here to serve. Every Rupee we receive goes straight back into the school, not to shareholders, but into classrooms, teachers, resources, and our broader educational mission.
How our Scholarship Programme works
Our scholarship programme is deeply personal in its approach. As of July 2025, we have 52 scholarship students, across both Primary and Secondary (about 9% of our school body) amounting to MUR 5,273,268. These are made possible by a combination of allocated school funds and the generous support of donors.
Scholarships are not awarded as blanket 100% grants. Instead, each application is carefully assessed according to the family’s financial position – including submitted bank statements and income documentation. For award renewals, the student’s academic record, attendance, and behaviour is evaluated. No two scholarships look exactly the same; we build packages based on each family’s unique context and contribution capacity.
Applications are reviewed annually. Families must demonstrate ongoing financial need and a continued fit with our school’s ethos. Parents of scholarship students are also asked to participate in school life, including forming part of our parent volunteer team. This is another way we foster strong community ties.
While many of our applications come through word of mouth or our immediate suburb, we also prioritise sibling access, ensuring family units are supported as a whole.
More than Financial Support
Our scholarship students are not just recipients of financial aid. They are active, thriving members of our community. Over the years, they have been awarded top academic honours, received national recognition in sport and the arts, and been elected by their peers into student leadership positions. Some have even received the prestigious Lighthouse Award, granted to the graduating student who best represents our Core Values.
Looking Ahead: Scholarships for 2026
Each year, our capacity to offer scholarships depends on donations received and the target of the equivalent of at least 7% of total fee income. If you know a family who may benefit, or if you’d like to contribute to our fund, we invite you to get in touch with our team at info@lighthouse.edu.mu.
If you’d like to contribute to the scholarship fund, your gift, whether it be large or small, will help change a life.
One of our scholarship students shared:
“I am especially thankful for the kindness and grace Lighthouse has shown my family throughout my school journey. Since joining, I have grown both academically and personally. One of the best aspects of Lighthouse is the dedication of the teachers — they go beyond their job requirements and support students not only with academic questions but also with personal challenges and situations outside of school.”