College Fees
Application Fee
The application fee is HK$2,800. This is a non-refundable, non-transferable administration fee based upon the user-pay-principle whereby the fee level is determined on a cost-recovery basis.
Due to the high number of applications, the collection of this fee does not constitute any assurance that an interview or a school place will be offered.
Deposit
Upon offer of a place there is a 2 month deposit, which is HK$28,800 for Primary, HK$37,960 for Secondary (Years 7-11) and HK$38,260 for Secondary (Year 12&13). The first half of the deposit is offset against the first month’s fees while the remaining half will be credited against the fees for the last month of enrolment, subject to a two-calendar month advance notice of withdrawal in writing (please see Student Leavers & Withdrawals). The two-month deposit is non-refundable if the school place is not subsequently taken up.
School Fees
The school fees for 2023-24 academic year are:
HK$144,000 per annum for Primary students (Years 1-6).
HK$189,800 per annum for Secondary students (Years 7-11).
HK$191,300 per annum for Secondary students (Years 12 & 13).
Direct debit is mandatory for paying school fees for all students attending Discovery College. Statement of account and receipts are not sent to parents as fees are paid by monthly direct debit. Fees are due on the first day of each month and parents are responsible for payment of fees, regardless of any personal arrangements parents may have with employers or other parties.
If fee payments are overdue, students may be excluded from school. Once excluded, students will not be re-admitted until all arrears are cleared and at least one further month’s fees are paid in advance. Furthermore, there is no guarantee that an excluded student will be returned to his or her former class.
Fees remain payable if a student goes on leave during term time. Years 11, 12 and 13 students, who may not attend normal classes during April, May and June, are still required to pay the full annual fee.
If a student leaves or is admitted part way through the school year, attendance on any day in a particular month renders school fees payable for the entire month.
Please ensure that school and/or ESF Centre are notified promptly of any change of address, telephone numbers or designated bank account details for direct debit.
Non-refundable Building Levy (NBL)
Discovery College charges a Non-refundable Building Levy (NBL), which is HK$7,530 per student per year. The NBL is paid over 10 equal instalments of HK$753 alongside the monthly school fees (September to June each year).
The NBL for 2023-24 academic year will be $8,060 per student per year. The NBL is paid over 10 equal instalments of $806 alongside the monthly school fees (September to June each year).
The NBL will be used to pay for repair, maintenance and improvement of the school facilities for the benefits of all existing and new students.
The NBL is reviewed and adjusted annually to match any percentage school fee increases.
Advance Fees Payment
School places for the next academic year have to be reserved through making an advance payment of September’s fees as a surety. This enables us to anticipate enrolment numbers accurately for the next academic year so as to offer any unfilled places to the children on our waiting lists as early as possible.
Advance fees are usually due in July. Details about advance fees payment and reserving school places for the next academic year will be released by the ESF to parents via email in early May.
Scholarships
As stipulated in the Service Agreement between the ESL and EDB, 10% of the annual school fee income for Discovery College is set aside for the purpose of scholarships. Of this 10% a total of 2% is reserved for support of the Financial Assistance Scheme.
Enquiries
If you have any queries about fees, deposits or levies, please contact the ESF billing hotline at:
Tel: (+852) 3762 2422 or
Email: billing@esfcentre.edu.hk
Please quote your child’s student account number, which is shown on all receipts.