Government

Government and municipal bursaries are offered by provincial departments, municipalities and public bodies to build skills for the public service, such as finance, planning, engineering, law and administration. Many of them prefer local residents, and some ask you to work for the funder after you qualify.

These awards often serve a clear local need. A municipality, for example, may fund students in town planning or civil engineering because it struggles to recruit them. Therefore, the funder usually wants applicants who are likely to return and work in the area.

What funders usually ask for:

• Proof that you live in the province, district or municipality, such as a municipal account or a letter from a ward councillor.
• Results that meet the minimum for the funded field.
• Acceptance at a recognised institution for a qualification the funder needs.
• An agreement to work for the funder, often for as long as you were funded.

Check the service obligation carefully, as well as the area the funder serves. Our guide to government and municipal bursaries explains how these programmes work, and you can browse funding by province using the sidebar.