South African Bursaries for South Africa Students

admin
south african bursaries
South African Bursaries

Different from bursary systems common to Europe and Canada, South African bursaries are nonetheless incredibly useful to students in the region offering great awards for those willing to step up to the plate. Bursaries for South African students are a patchwork of mostly private programs mixed in with some government bursaries and then a few mixed private/public collaborations. At first glance it may appear very chaotic, messy in many respects and perhaps difficult to navigate. However, once you’ve learned how South African bursaries tend to work, the system works very well and offers awards that many European or Canadian bursariessimply cannot compare to.

Though South Africa bursaries lack the elegance of the single form bursary application system common in many western countries, available programs are advertised quite readily and many are listed in bursary information packets available at individual universities. Even those that are not listed in such information packets are generally fairly easy to find if a searching student is willing to put in a little bit of time and effort.

Because the number of bursaries offered by the national government is relatively limited, large and even local companies have filled the fiscal void in a way which not only provides students with financial assistance but further helps to ensure that there is a readily available employment pool of skilled workers available for projects around the country. While it could be argued that such a situation works best for companies and less well for financially needy students, with the employment situation and development issues within South Africa it in many ways benefits the country as a whole.

Though the number of South African bursaries available through the government and local entities are limited, they certainly do exist. A first stop for a South African student, as is the same with a student from most Western nations, is their university’s financial aid department. Colleges in South Africa often offer their own bursary schemes for enrolled students whom have shown promising academic progress in their secondary and post secondary educations. These programs, compared to the full rides often offered by large South African companies, are generally fairly small but are certainly useful to students seeking financial aid.

Picking up a bursary information packet from the financial aid office at a university will give students a wide array of available South Africa bursaries which they may be eligible for. Normally managed by individual institutions, applying to these bursaries is normally as simple as submitting applications to the financial aid department and waiting to hear back regarding award status. Applying to these programs should always be a first step and students should do this as early as possible so that they can better assess the amount of money they still need for college if their award amounts do not cover all costs.

The next step for many students still searching for financial aid would be the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) which offers loans to those who can demonstrate monetary need. These programs often start out as loans which are required to be repaid, but in many cases can be converted into South African bursaries. The benefit of conversion should be fairly plain – if converted to a bursary, NSFAS loans do not have to be repaid. Like local bursaries offered by individual colleges, the NSFAS program can be applied to through the university a student is enrolled in.

One of the greatest differences between South Africa bursaries and those offered more commonly in the West is the prevalence of private programs. These private programs are very often highly competitive and provide an immense amount of money for students often covering not only the entirety of tuition but also covering living arrangement, meals, and travel needs. Differing from the South African bursaries offered by the national government and individual colleges, private bursaries very often focus highly on individual skill sets which are needed by the offering company. Beyond this, students entering a bursary agreement with a private company are very often required to work for them after graduation until the approximate cost of their bursary has been repaid. After that, their services may be terminated or they may find a long-term employment position with the company who paid for their schooling. This program type has a lot of really great benefits, but competitiveness around such private offerings often means that only those students who show exceptional dedication and great academic merit will find their ways into the programs.

Exxaro Bursaries South Africa

52 thoughts on “South African Bursaries for South Africa Students”

  1. I’m the social work student in UKZN now I want to apply for your bursary but I don’t know how to access the aplication forms. Your positive responce will be very appreciated.

    1. Nondumiso,

      you must apply to as many bursaries as you may qualify for by contacting the companies (via email or call them on phone) directly. Many times their websites have contact info and some to apply online too. Also go to The Davis Scholarship.

  2. I am facing finances problem because i dont how i am going to pay for my studies.i am coming from poor family.but nobody is there to assist because i am leaving with my granmother.

  3. I’m facing financial problem so i want to apply this bursury so that it will help me.i want to know how to get application forms.

    1. Elekanyani,

      there is no one form to apply to all bursaries. You must apply directly through the bursary sponsors website for each one – individually. I wish it was easier then that, but each bursary has its own set of qualifying criteria so each form is geared for this.

  4. i am at an agricultural collge,and i currently have no bursary to pay for my sudies.i have applied for a bursary but i was not accpted due to the selection citeria that was used by the daff bursary.i am allowed to study by the insitution but the thing is afte the completion of my studies,i will not get my diploma due to the debt i have in the institution,i would really appreciate it,if i could be helped financially in my studies.i academically perform well here at the college,i didn’t make for the daff bursary because our matric rsults were used for the selection criteria,and my matric results failed to get me the daff bursary,but here at the collgei am perfroming very well and i deserve a bursary,it is just that i need bursay forms.thank you

    1. vusumzi,

      government sponsored bursary programs may work best for you. You must take the time to apply to the bursary programs where you feel there’s a good fit for you – where your criteria matches up to the bursary you are applying too. Have you talked to your financial aids office at the college your attending? There may other options you have not looked into where the financial aids office could expose you too.

  5. Am currently studing bcom logistics at uj …If you offer bursaries related to my field please tell me where i can get access to them

  6. hi, im a student in east london. i was inspired by my social worker to also become a social worked, they have changed my life and i would like to change young people’s lives in the same positive way. can you please send me a link to my email account to find my way around filling in application forms please. i would truelly appreciate it
    thanks, dankie

    2. They adamited me in Brooklyn city college but I don’t have money to register,so I need busary because I can’t afford registration fees so please help.

    1. SANDISWA,

      you must apply to any and all bursaries you find to see if you qualify for them. Every bursary has different qualifying criteria and you must take the time to apply to them. Most can be done online from the comfort of your home.

  8. Pingback: Bursaries for Private College Students around the World | Bursaries.co

  9. Next year m going bak to skull nd m 25yrz old. I had to drop out whn i waz in grade10 coz my mummy couldn’t pay 4my school fees, so nw i wana go bak after i finish matric, i want to study teachng. Is it possible for me to apply for bursarie nw or i have to wait till i finish my matric?

    1. Jabu,

      read more at teaching bursaries. Proving financial need is a requirement for most all bursaries. Sit down with a financial aid manager at a college of interest who will set you going in the right direction.

    1. Nomasonto,

      this site does not offer bursaries. We write about the various ones available today and you can apply to them by clicking on the links in the bursary articles.

  12. Am coming to face financial problem.am doing matric this year ,i realy want to study further bt i cnt because of money am coming from a poor family bt i just cant sit down do nothing i want to see my self some where

  13. Hey I’m a nursing student at nelson mandela metropolitian university seeking for a bursary to complete my studies,I’m a second year nursing student…can you please help me…

  14. Pingback: Law Bursaries | Bursaries.co

  15. I’M A STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO.I’M AN UNDERGRADUATE STUDENT DOING Bsc IN MOLECULAR AND LIFE SCIENCES.IM LOOKING FOR A BURSARY THAT CAN HELP WITH FINANCES

  16. Am a student at Brooklyn,studing police n traffic,i need a Bursary n it’s a private college, where can i get help

    1. Delisile,

      you must apply to bursaries to see if you qualify for them. We do not offer direct bursary programs but write about those who do. I recommend that you talk with the FinAids manager at the college you attend to see what specific student aid programs you may be eligible for.

  17. IM A NURSING STUDENT WHO IS LOOKING FOR FINANCIAL AID. IM A STUDENT AT UNIVERSITY OF LIMPOPO.

    1. CLIFFORD,

      look into your very own bursary government programs firstly. I also recommend that you talk with the FinAids manager at the college you attend to see what specific student aid programs you may be eligible for. Read more about NHS medical bursaries and nursing bursaries.

  18. I AM DOING MY 2ND YEAR NURSING AT MARIAN HILL COLLEGE AND HAVE BEEN EXCLUDED BECAUSE OF FINANCE PROBLEM. I AM SEEKING ANY KIND OF HELP, AS LONG AS I AM GOING TO GET BACK TO COLLEGE AND FINISH MY STUDIES. THANK YOU

  19. Dear sir/madam

    I’m doing second year at library and information studies at Durban
    University of Technology and I’m using NAFSAS for my school finance
    and i would like to apply for a bursary.

    Looking forward for your response

    Yours faithfully

    M.E. Selepe

  20. DR SIR OR MADAM

    MY NAME IS MMATHAPELO MAMOGALE FROM SABIE I M IN TUT EMALAHLENI DOING HR I NEED HELP ON PAYING MY SCHOOL FEES MY MOTHER DOESNT WORK

    1. MMATHAPELO,

      I would firstly apply to your government bursaries since they are easier to apply to and get. Then visit the FinAids office and talk to the manager about your situation.

  21. I have a problem on finance, I am a BCom Law student at Midrand Graduate Institution and I need a bursary please help me

    1. Zukile,

      go into the FinAids office and set a meeting so you can discuss all the bursary programs they have, and the new ones to so you can apply to them. Look into your own government bursary programs too – easy to apply to and easy to get!

  22. am in need for financial assistance I have been fully admitted to study animal health at the university of north west help please

    1. machawe,

      since your attending a university presently it is best to speak to a financial aid manager at your school to see what bursaries you can apply to. He will assess your situation and let you know which ones are best to apply to at your school. Also, apply to your own government bursary programs too! Easy to apply to; and even easier to win.

      1. i tried to apply for NYDA bursary but still not approved I will also like to be updated for any bursary that is available admin

        1. machawe,

          Also, apply to your own government bursary programs too! Easy to apply to; and even easier to win!!! Apply to any one you feel you have a chance at winning!

          1. thank you admin but as you now know my cornern I will be glad if you will send any available bursary forms to my email thank you again

  23. Hi I’m sthembile doing my first year at the nursing school but its private college how do I also get funding

    1. sthembile,

      best bet for you is to make an appointment with the financial aids manager at your university to discuss student aid options specifically for you. Look into also applying for your government bursaries which are need based.

Comments are closed.