About the scholarship
The St. Paul’s Foundation aims to award full scholarships for talented children living in São Paulo, who have excellent academic records and the grit and determination to excel, to study at St. Paul’s School.
Our scholars are at least 11 years old and possess a pre-requisite level of academic and English language skills, in addition to their school records and special talent. We are also proud to define “talented" in the broadest manner, be it in academic subjects, sports, music or the arts.
Our first scholars have joined the school in August 2019. Both potential scholars and their immediate families are closely involved in the selection process, with strict means testing being applied.
Who can apply
Thank you for your interest in the St. Paul’s Foundation Scholarship Programme. The Selection Process for 2025 entry is currently closed for applications and a new round of candidates (2026 entry) will be able to apply in early 2025.
All applicants must meet the foundation's criteria. They are subject to change as we constantly review our policies and rules to improve the scholarship program and the experience for the pupil. Please, find below the current criteria for application and selection:
- To be properly enrolled in a public or private school.
- To be not under 11 and not above 14 years old on Dec 31st in the year of the application (i.e., not being 10 or 15 years old by the end of the year).
- To have a family income threshold that shows they could not otherwise afford an education at St. Paul's School.
- No fails/disapproval in the academic records ("boletim") nor the academic transcripts (“Histórico Escolar”).
- Strong English language skills.
- A unique talent in music, arts, drama, or sports is an advantage (not compulsory).
- To live in São Paulo / Greater São Paulo, at a maximum traveling distance of one hour and a half from St. Paul’s (Rua Juquiá, 166, Jd Paulistano).
- To have the right attitude, drive, and commitment to benefit from the opportunities offered by the Scholarship Programme.
If you wish to apply in the future and meet the scholarship's criteria, you can fill out our form with your information when the application window is open. As well as submitting this form, you will be asked to upload the following documents:
- A screenshot of the latest academic records (boletins) with all the grades of 2024 (mandatory), and a screenshot of the academic transcripts (Histórico Escolar) (desirable).
- A handwritten composition of at most 200 words, based on one of the topics below. Compositions submitted in typing and/or in a language other than English won’t be accepted.
- What do you like most about yourself right now? And why?
- What do you think will be different about the world when you are an adult?
- How would your friends describe you?
- A 90-second video in English introducing yourself and explaining why you want to be granted a full scholarship. If you have special talents (e.g. music, sports, arts), you can show them in the video (not compulsory). Videos submitted in a language other than English won't be accepted.
You can see the instructions for the video and for the composition.
Click here to read the Regulations for 2024-2025 Selection Process (applications closed).
After applying for the selection process, candidates may receive further requests for documents to prove information.
2023/2024 Selection Process (applications closed)
Click here to read the Regulations for the 2023-2024 Selection Process.
Click here to read the Guia do Candidato.
Selection process
The St. Paul’s Foundation Scholarship Programme selection process consists of five (05) consecutive stages. Click and learn more about each phase:
1. Application form submission and documentation analysis
At this stage, if the candidate fits the criteria, they must fill out our application form with their information and upload the following documents:
- Submit a screenshot of the latest academic records (boletins) with all the grades of the year (mandatory), and a screenshot of the academic transcripts (Histórico Escolar) (desirable).
- A handwritten composition in English of at most 200 words, based on one of the topics chosen for that year's Selection Process.
- A 90-second video in English introducing themselves and explaining why they want to be granted a full scholarship at St. Paul's School.
To read more details on this stage, click here.
2. A visit to St. Paul’s School to perform online tests
Candidates selected for this stage will visit St. Paul's School to take two standardized exams: the NGRT (New Group Reading Test) and CAT4 (Cognitive Abilities Test). These assessments, conducted on iPads, are mandatory for all candidates aspiring to join St. Paul's School and thus, are the exams we use for our candidates. The tests do not require any previous preparation.
3. Individual Interviews
Candidates selected for this stage will undergo an interview with one of the school's leadership members. This interview will be conducted via video call, providing another valuable opportunity to delve deeper into the candidate's experiences and aspirations.
4. A preparation period of up to one year including an English immersion course and interview with family members
At this stage, selected candidates will undergo our Preparatory Course, consisting of two phases. The initial phase spans six months, during which candidates will attend English classes twice a week at Cultura Inglesa and once a week at St. Paul's School in the afternoons, guided by our dedicated teaching volunteers.
Following the first semester, a thorough evaluation will take place. Those chosen will proceed to attend classes three times a week at St. Paul's School, facilitated by teaching volunteers. During this phase, the curriculum encompasses British Culture, introductory subjects (Maths, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, History, and Geography), and intriguing St. Paul's fun facts. This period is pivotal for candidates to familiarize themselves with the school, and for teachers to understand the candidates better.
Beyond academic content and an introduction to St. Paul's teaching model, candidates engage with the school's Socioemotional Learning team and connect with current scholars and other Pauleans.
The Preparatory Course provides an immersive experience and a unique opportunity for students to learn a new language and develop socioemotional skills, assets they can leverage throughout their lives. Over the 12-month course, scholarship aspirants also receive visits from a social worker to better understand their family and home environment. A psychologist conducts interviews with the students and their parents to gain insights into the candidate's psychosocial profile.
5. Final scholars’ selection
Upon completion of the Preparatory Course, candidates will undergo a reassessment, retaking the NGRT and the CAT4 to gauge their progress over the past year. Once the final selection of scholars is determined, successful candidates will be notified and participate in an Induction Week, receiving their uniforms and gearing up for the commencement of classes after the holidays.
Application form submission and documentation analysis
A visit to St. Paul’s School to perform online tests
Individual interviews
A preparation period of up to one year including an English immersion course and interview with family members
Final scholars’ selection
You can read the FAQ, containing questions and answers that can help you to clarify any doubts you might have.
Apply now
If you wish to apply and meet the scholarship's criteria, you can fill out our application form with your information. As well as submitting this form, you will be asked to upload the following documents:
- A screenshot of the latest academic records (boletins) with all the grades of 2022 (mandatory), and a screenshot of the academic transcripts (Histórico Escolar) (desirable).
- A handwritten composition of at most 200 words, based on one of the topics below. Compositions submitted in typing and/or in a language other than English won’t be accepted.
- What do you like most about yourself right now? And why?
- What do you think will be different about the world when you are an adult?
- How would your friends describe you?
- A 90-second video in English introducing yourself and explaining why you want to be granted a full scholarship. If you have special talents (e.g. music, sports, arts), you can show them in the video (not compulsory). Videos submitted in a language other than English won't be accepted.
You can see the instructions for the video and for the composition.
Click here to read the Regulations and Data Protection Terms for 2023-2024 Selection Process.
After applying for the selection process, candidates may receive further requests for documents to prove information.
FAQ
We only accept candidates that meet all the scholarship criteria, which can be found in the regulations. We do not have a waiting list, as the application process is conducted annually. However, we do encourage you to keep studying and checking the foundation’s website so you can apply when you reach the right age for the program. If you have any further questions, please send us a message at contato@fundacaostpauls.org.br.
At St. Paul’s, the teaching is English-based (the majority of classes are in English), so you must have the ability to speak and understand English at a reasonable level, and be able and willing to improve your language skills during the preparation course.
Besides having an excellent academic profile and strong English skills, we consider it a special talent if you:
- love to study and like to be challenged with tasks and homework
- like to study music and play musical instruments
- are interested in studying arts or drama
- play sports and like to engage in team and sports activities
Having a unique talent in music, arts, drama or sports is an advantage, but it is not compulsory.
Candidates who reach the testing phase will take tests that cover cognitive abilities and language aptitude but they do not assume any specific curriculum knowledge, so no special preparation is required. In the interview phase, members of the school will interview candidates regarding their interests and talents. The testing and the interview phases may change dates to happen presentially, under strict respect to sanitary protocols, or happen online/remotely if the St. Paul’s Foundation team evaluate this as the safest condition for everyone.
Your parents do not have to speak English. During the selection process, all the necessary instructions and regulations will be provided in Portuguese for the candidates’ family members.
At each stage of the selection process, you will be informed of the results by e-mail.
The St. Paul’s Foundation scholarships are designed to help children whose families could not otherwise afford an education at St. Paul's School. Documents with more details about the family income will be requested. The St. Paul's Foundation is prepared to examine each case on its merits within the established guidelines.
The candidates who move on to the preparation course phase will attend English immersion classes at St. Paul’s or online for up to one year, in group activities. There are also classes about specific subjects, such as Sciences and Maths, in English.
The course will be offered in the afternoon, after your current school hours. Therefore, you must attend regularly your current school during the preparation course. This stage will happen presentially, under strict respect to sanitary protocols, or remotely, if the St. Paul’s Foundation team evaluate this as the safest condition for all.
Our 2024-2025 selection process is closed for applications and a new window for 2026 entry will open in early 2026. Check our website and follow us on social media for more details.
Our partners
To identify and prepare our scholars, the foundation works with many partners. However, their journey does not end when they graduate from St. Paul’s. Our tertiary education partners, such as Fundação Estudar, help match them with the best university places - be it in Brazil or elsewhere in the world.
