Bursaries in South Africa

How bursaries work in South Africa

A bursary is money for study that you normally do not pay back, as long as you meet its conditions. Those conditions usually include passing your courses and staying in the funded field. Some bursaries also ask you to work for the funder after you graduate. This is called a work-back or service obligation, and it often lasts as long as the funding did.

Funders include mining and engineering companies, banks, government departments, municipalities, SETAs and charitable trusts. Companies often use bursaries to find future employees. Government and trust bursaries are usually aimed at a skills shortage or at students from a particular community.

Who can apply

Every bursary sets its own rules, so read the eligibility section before you apply. Common requirements include:

• South African citizenship, and sometimes residence in a particular province or town.
• A minimum average in your matric or university results, often in Mathematics or Physical Sciences for technical fields.
• Acceptance, or a plan to register, at a recognised university or college.
• A household income below a stated limit, for need-based bursaries.

What to prepare before you apply

Most applications ask for the same documents, so gathering them early saves time. Each listing on this site shows its own list of required documents. Typically you will need:

• A certified copy of your ID.
• Your latest school or university results.
• Proof of household income, or affidavits if there is none.
• Proof of acceptance or registration at your institution.
• A short motivation letter and an up-to-date CV. Our guide on writing a CV for a bursary application can help.

When to apply

Many bursaries open in the first half of the year and close between August and October, a year or more before the academic year they fund. As a result, the best time to look is early, ideally while you are still in Grade 11 or 12, or in your penultimate university year. Our guide on what to do now to prepare for the next bursary season explains the timeline step by step.

Bursaries, scholarships, learnerships and NSFAS

These options are often confused. A bursary usually supports a student in a chosen field, while a scholarship rewards achievement or potential. A learnership is a paid work-and-study programme rather than funding for a degree. NSFAS is the government's financial aid scheme for qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges. You can apply for several of these at the same time, so do not rely on only one.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Missing the closing date. Many listings close at noon, so apply a few days early.
• Sending incomplete or uncertified documents.
• Applying for only one bursary.
• Ignoring the work-back terms until you receive an offer. Read them first.
• Paying to apply. Genuine bursary providers do not charge an application fee, so be careful if someone asks for money.

Frequently asked questions