The word "bursary" is often misspelled as "bursery" due to the similar sounding ending. However, the correct spelling is with the letter "a" in the third syllable. The IPA phonetic transcription for "bursary" is /ˈbɜː.sər.i/, with emphasis on the second syllable. The "u" in the first syllable sounds like "er", while the "a" in the third syllable sounds like "ar". It is important to use the correct spelling and pronunciation of this word when referring to a scholarship or financial award for education.
A bursary is a financial grant or scholarship provided to students, usually by a government, educational institution, or charitable organization, to support their education. It is aimed at assisting students who may face financial constraints in pursuing their studies or who have demonstrated exceptional talent or achievement in a particular field.
Bursaries are awarded based on a variety of criteria such as academic merit, financial need, extracurricular involvement, area of study, or specific requirements set by the granting organization. They provide financial assistance to cover various expenses associated with education, including tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, transportation, and living costs. Unlike loans, bursaries are generally non-repayable, making them a valuable source of funding for deserving students.
The application process for bursaries typically involves submitting personal and academic information along with supporting documents, such as financial statements, essays, reference letters, and transcripts, to demonstrate eligibility. Selection committees or boards review the applications, considering the criteria and available funding, to determine the recipients who will receive the financial aid.
Bursaries play an essential role in promoting equal opportunities in education by reducing barriers to access and supporting deserving students who may otherwise struggle to afford the costs of their education. They contribute to the development of individuals' skills and knowledge while fostering a more inclusive and diverse educational environment.
The treasury of a college or monastery; the sum allowed to a bursar; an exhibition.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
The word "bursary" is derived from the Medieval Latin word "bursaria", which means "purse" or "treasury". This Latin term was further influenced by the Old English word "bysig", meaning "purse" or "bag". Over time, the word "bursary" came to refer specifically to a monetary fund or scholarship established to support students' education. It is most commonly used in the British and Canadian education systems to designate a financial award granted to students to assist with their educational expenses.