How to Apply for Bursaries in South Africa

The coronavirus pandemic came as a shock and brought along so many changes in the lives of people across the globe. Businesses were closed, people lost their jobs, and the economy took a ride down a steep hill. Students also felt the impact of the changes in the areas of affording their fees and other school needs. Some of their parents/guardians still have no source of income or have insufficient funds to sponsor their children’s academics. This is where bursaries come in. Just like scholarships, they have been in the scene for years to enable students to further their education.

This article discusses what bursaries are in South Africa, where to get a bursary, a list of some bursaries, eligibility criteria, and how to apply for bursaries in South Africa.

What is a bursary in South Africa?

A bursary is a study program that an individual or a company sponsors to help students further their studies. Bursaries are given to students who meet the specific qualification requirements and cannot afford the cost of education. The individual or company provides financial assistance to enable the student to further their studies in their preferred areas of study. Most bursary programmes gift the students financial assistance and do not expect anything in return. However, some bursary programs specify that students have to work for them for the same period as that covered by the bursary programme once they complete the programme.

Bursaries can be fully funded. This means that the bursary covers the student’s full cost of education to further their studies. While other bursaries are partially funded. This means the bursary is simply an addition to the amount that the student or legal sponsor has to pay. Either way, bursaries ease the financial burden and make it easier for students to go through school.

Undergraduate and postgraduate bursaries can provide full or partial funding. Depending on the agreement, support may cover tuition, accommodation, meals, transport, books or equipment; no single coverage level applies to all bursaries.

Some bursaries require work or other service after study, subject to the signed contract. That obligation does not mean every funded student is guaranteed immediate employment. Check what happens if the sponsor cannot offer a post or if the student does not complete the required service.

Where can I get a bursary in South Africa?

Before looking for bursaries in South Africa, decide what career path you want to take. They go after the bursaries in that line and apply for them. Talk to people who previously or are currently enjoying the benefits of a bursary program to walk you through the steps and help you seek bursaries. You can also search the internet for bursaries, and you are sure to find a couple of them that you are eligible for. Here are places where you can find bursaries in South Africa. Contact them through email, their website, or telephone.

The Department of Higher Education and Training on their website www.careerhelp.org.za/funding or its other website that has scholarship programs for South Africans who wish to study in other countries www.dhet.gov.za/internationalscholarships/index.html
Bursaries South Africa at www.zabursaries.co.za
All Bursaries South Africa at allbursaries.co.za
Banks
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) at www.nsfas.org.za
Universities and Universities of Technology

Bursaries in South Africa

The following are examples of funding schemes or names used in earlier bursary notices. This list is not a verified list of applications currently open. Check each sponsor’s official current advert, eligibility and deadline; some schemes may have changed names or closed.

Cecil Renaud Bursary
Genesis Analytics Bursary
Vodacom Merit Bursary
Weir Minerals Africa Bursary
National Agricultural Marketing Council Bursary
Compensation Fund Bursary
Africa WETU Foundation Bursary
Sanlam Actuarial Bursaries
ISFAP bursary Funding
Nedbank External Bursary
Khulisa Academy Bursary
Tomorrow Trust Tertiary Bursary
DSI-CSIR Bursaries
Ninety One Changeblazers Undergraduate Bursary
ABSA BMI Bursary
Citrus Academy Bursary
Hatch Bursaries
Valterra Platinum bursaries (formerly Anglo American Platinum; check current official notices)
Moore SAICA Trainee Bursary
UFS Honours Bursary
merSETA Bursaries
WK Construction Bursary
Independent Field Adviser (IFA) Bursary Scheme
SAMSTIP Teacher Internship Bursaries
Shoprite Bursaries
Columbus Stainless Bursaries
SEIFSA Bursary
Exxaro Bursary
Jakes Gerwel Fellowship
Mediclinic Bursary
Fulbright Foreign Student Scholarship
LegalWise Bursary
Embassy of France in South Africa Bursary
Department of Water and Sanitation (DWS) Bursary
Coronation Exceptional Student Bursary
Schwarzman Scholarship
Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund Bursary
Council for Scientific and Industrial Research Bursary
South African National Space Agency (SANSA) Bursary
Investec Tertiary Bursary
Margaret McNamara Education Grant Bursary
South African National Seed Organisation (SANSOR) Bursary
Canon Collins: RMTF Scholarships for Postgraduate
FEDISA Future Vision Bursary

What do you need to qualify for a bursary?

Bursaries usually have specific eligibility criteria that students have to meet depending on what the sponsor or bursar wants to see in the student receiving the bursary. Students should carefully assess the clauses that come with the bursary and compare it to other available bursary options. That way, the student will make an informed decision on the bursary that is suitable. It is advisable to only apply for bursaries that meet the full eligibility because your application will not be considered if even one criterion is lacking.

The following are examples of eligibility conditions that funders may impose. They are not universal requirements: some awards accept international applicants or do not use financial need, while others restrict nationality, residence, income or study field.

You have to be a South African national or a permanent resident living in South Africa.
You have applied to study a program in an accredited institution in South Africa or you are presently studying on one.
You have to show you have financial needs. Submit your household income as proof of your financial need.
You plan to study a certain programme or are currently studying a programme that is within the limits of the bursaries programme requirements.
You have a history of getting excellent grades in school. Some bursaries require that you have excellent grades in specific subjects such as Science and Mathematics.

You have to submit the required documents either by post, fax, email, or in-person delivery depending on what method the bursar specified. Here are the documents you need to submit when applying. Ensure they are authentic because false documents will disqualify you from the bursary programme.

Certified copy of your birth certificate or identity document
A certified copy of all your academic achievements which can include your Matric certificate if you have completed Matric or your latest results if you are currently in Matric).
Full academic record if you are in a higher education institution.
Proof of your household income to show that you have financial needs. It is your parent/guardian’s proof of unemployment or proof of income.
Submit proof of your residence of the bursary is only for students living within a particular locality.
Submit proof that you have applied to or have registered at a tertiary institution in South Africa. It should have the school’s letterhead.
Submit the death certificate of your parents if they are of late.
Submit a doctor’s certificate if you are permanently disabled.
Send in a motivational letter about why you deserve the bursary award. This includes how it will benefit you and the bursar.