Hollywood Foundation

About the Hollywood Foundation

The Hollywood Foundation is the corporate social investment arm of Hollywoodbets, a South African sports betting company. It directs part of the company's profits into community projects. Its work spans education, health, sport and development, and the bursary programme is among its biggest and longest-running efforts.

Education sits at the centre of this work. The Foundation believes that a qualification is one of the most reliable ways out of poverty, particularly in communities where Hollywoodbets operates.

How the Hollywood Foundation supports students

Funding comes through the "Future is Bright" bursary campaign. Instead of limiting support to a few degrees, the Foundation backs many fields that employers want. Published lists have included information technology, computer science, software engineering, cybersecurity, data science, finance and accounting, business management, marketing, human resources, project management, supply chain and logistics. Creative and design fields such as graphic design, architectural design and media and communications also appear.

The programme supports students at several stages. Awards have been open to first-year entrants and to those in their second, third and fourth years of a higher certificate, diploma or degree. Honours, postgraduate and advanced diplomas have also been included. In short, you do not have to be a new matriculant to apply.

Recipients are free to choose their own employer after graduating. The Foundation does not require a formal work-back contract. However, it follows the progress of former recipients and shares some of their stories on its website.

What to know before applying

Recent calls asked applicants to be South African citizens. Matric learners needed an overall average of at least 65%, while students already at a tertiary institution needed at least 60%. The qualification had to last 12 months or longer and had to come from an institution registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Applications go through the Foundation's online portal. For the 2027 academic year, the closing date was 3 September 2026. Dates change yearly, so check the official site, and apply well before the deadline.

Two linked opportunities appear on this page: the Hollywoodbets Bursary and the Hollywoodbets Radio Bursary. They carry their own details and may have their own rules, so read each advert separately.

Finally, keep your documents ready. A certified ID, recent results and proof of registration or acceptance are normally required. Never pay anyone to submit your application.

Think about your course choice as well. The listed fields lean towards business, technology and design, so a student in one of those areas has the best chance of fitting the criteria. If your course is not on the current list, you can still ask the Foundation whether it qualifies, but do not assume that it will. Good marks and a clear, honest application give you the strongest start.