Administration fees for secondary school?

racram

Hi,

In December I applied to two secondary schools in the area for my son, one a Gaelcholaiste and the other a large boys school. We were undecided on which school but the deadline for applications was December 4th. The boys school required a €100 application fee and if you didn't pay it your child's application but not be accepted.

The entrance exams were two weeks ago and a week before them we decided on the Gaelcholaiste. I have since contacted the other school to enquire about a refund of part if not all the money but have been told it's for administration costs and there's no refund. No where on the application forms or in the introduction day booklet does it say that the money is non-refundable!

Has anyone else any experiences with this? Are most schools doing this now and is there anything I can do about getting even a partial refund?

Thanks

byhookorbycrook

It's getting more common, I think it's to stop people putting names down in every school and then pulling out, sometimes even in August!Unlikely you will get a refund, I'd say, but worth a try.