About the SACBW Foundation
The SACBW Foundation is the bursary and youth-development arm of the South African Council for Business Women. The Council works to develop women in business and entrepreneurship across the country. The Foundation takes that mission to school level, by helping young women who are about to enter higher education. Its focus is unusual. Many bursary providers fund students who are already studying. The SACBW Foundation instead looks at Matric learners. That is the point at which money problems most often stop capable young women from starting a tertiary course.
How the SACBW Foundation supports students
The Foundation offers a bursary to academically strong female Matric learners who cannot afford further study. It prefers commerce-related qualifications. Recent adverts name Accounting and Bookkeeping, Business Development Management, Digital Marketing, Marketing Management and Practical Entrepreneurship. The board may consider other fields as well.
Winners also receive the Youth Leader Award from the Council. This links the funding to a wider goal, which is to build a new generation of South African businesswomen. In other words, the award is meant to recognise leadership potential as well as marks. The money is normally paid straight to the university or college. The Foundation warns that applicants should not assume the bursary covers everything. Full tuition, accommodation, textbooks, meals, transport, devices and allowances may not be included, and the amount is not fixed in the adverts. Ask the Foundation what a specific award covers before you plan your budget.
What to know before applying
Recent criteria asked for South African citizens who are female, younger than 20 and currently in Matric. Applicants needed an overall average of at least 70% and had to show financial need. They also had to plan to start tertiary study the following year.
The application pack in the latest round included a completed form, a certified ID copy, certified June Matric results, a 250-word motivational essay and a three-minute video presentation. Everything written went into a single PDF, which was emailed to the Foundation with the video link. The most recent closing date was 31 August 2026.
The recent advert also mentions a R199 registration fee. Applicants who cannot pay it were told to contact the Foundation about a possible waiver. Fees, dates and rules can change from year to year, so always confirm the details with the Foundation. Beware of anyone who asks for extra payment outside the official process. Applicants who are not selected can also look at other funders, for example NSFAS, which supports eligible students at public universities and colleges.
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