How to Get Free Bursaries

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Free-bursaries
Free Bursaries

While searching for financial aid, one of the many options which students will want to look into is free bursaries. Free bursaries are very commonly offered by national governments and individual colleges. They offer an incredibly useful opportunity to get access to financial aid and, in all hopes, decrease a student’s reliance on loans. Choosing a free bursary over a loan should give students an idea of benefits immediately, as in most cases bursaries don’t need to be repaid. There are some instances in which bursary arrangements are made with private companies which exchange time worked for financial aid given, and while these programs certainly have many fantastic benefits, they cannot fairly be described as free.

When considering what free bursaries are, students should look first to the local financial aid office at their local university and request an information packet. These packets contain the vast majority of free bursaries available to a student, listing award amounts and eligibility requirements. In Canada and the United Kingdom, acting on the material in an information packet will be as easy as submitting an application for financial aid which will automatically enroll a student in any program offered by the university. However in South Africa this process is not always as simple. While information packets are normally available at South African university financial aid departments, applying to these programs can be somewhat difficult. Further compounding this issue is that the most widely available student aid program, provided through the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) starts out initially as a loan which has to be repaid but later, for certain students, can be converted into a free bursary program.

Considering free bursaries in South Africa is fairly important because it offers an example of a system which teeters between large amounts of privately offered programs and a smaller amount of publicly supported ones. NSFAS is in many ways a great example of the strange balance which occurs in this country when it comes to free bursaries. Initially, all students using the NSFAS to gain access to student loans will be required to pay back the awards slowly over time. In essence, this means that the government creates a situation in which debt can be accrued by students before they graduate. In many ways this runs contrary completely to free bursaries, but the South African government has incentivized the program allowing for some of the loan amounts to be converted into non-repayable bursaries. The ability to convert loans into free bursaries is based on a student’s academic progress meaning that those who do well in school and score high on examinations will be presented with the opportunity to convert some of their loans into free bursaries. With so many privately offered bursary schemes in the country available to only a sliver of the overall student population, students who get NSFAS loans should certainly work hard in school so that they will later be able to drop at least some of their debt through free bursary conversions.

Looking outside of South Africa towards Europe and Canada, free bursaries abound. In Canada bursaries are offered not only at the local college level by region but also through national programs like the Canada Millennium Scholarship Foundation. In a similar way the United Kingdom offers an exceptional amount of free bursaries based on locale and university with national programs available but largely limited to specific fields or careers. Despite the difference in national level free bursary offerings, these two countries are great examples of places which offer an immense amount of programs that do not have to be repaid.

Many people graduating from secondary education institutions would like to attend college, and it should not be surprising that in countries where free bursary programs are readily offered college enrollment is relatively high. While student loans which must be repaid are still not uncommon in these areas, students with high access to free bursaries can enroll in college without having to worry about having debt equivalent to purchasing a new home upon graduation.

88 thoughts on “How to Get Free Bursaries”

  1. im currently at Witwatersrand studying Metallurgyy.Im hard working and dedicated.Please do consider me when you give out bursaries

    1. NHU,

      You must apply to as many as you can which your a good fit for that you see on the internet. Go into the financial aids office at Witwatersrand to talk with the manager to look at all your student aid options not only bursaries. They will be able to put you on a shotgun approach to aid that may get you a few awards to help out. If you have financial need then your options will open up considerably.

      1. i need a bursary can you please help me i want to do advertising for a bussines i am very creative and i am a hard worker.i just need help i dont have money to go to collages so please help me contact me on 0788569278

        1. Contacting the financial aids office of the college you are interested in attending is always a top first step for they will offer you up to date information on programs new to their college. Make an appointment with a college (FINANCIAL AIDS OFFICE) in your area which you are interested in attending to discuss your options and to assess your situation.

          Contact your state/province department of education for assistance too.

          We high lite many high profile bursaries which you have to apply directly to the sponsor of the bursary for. Many private companies have bursaries but don’t advertise about and you must ask them directly on how to apply for them. You can actually do this by emailing them or calling them on the phone – or even visiting their websites. Local libraries also have list which may be updated on a regular basis so visit them too.

  2. i hereby beg to apply for a bursary so that i may further my studies. i am doing my second year at st. marys hosoital in kzn i will complete it this year in september.i am really passionate about nursing i thank you

    1. sanele ndarane,

      contact the college you are interested in and talk to the financial aids office for your particular options. If you can show financial need then programs should be open to you.

  3. i need someone who can help me get busary or scholaship.im doing first year social work but i dont have money .i had money to register hoping that i’ll get financial aid

    1. zanele,

      Contacting the financial aids office of the college you are interested in attending is always a top first step for they will offer you up to date information on programs new to their college. Make an appointment with a college (FINANCIAL AIDS OFFICE) in your area which you are interested in attending to discuss your options and to assess your situation.

      Contact your state/province educational department of education for assistance too.

      We high lite many high profile bursaries which you have to apply directly to the sponsor of the bursary for. Many private companies have bursaries but don’t advertise about and you must ask them directly on how to apply for them. You can actually do this by emailing them or calling them on the phone – or even visiting their websites. Local libraries also have list which may be updated on a regular basis so visit them too.

      All places that sponsor bursaries have to be contacted directly to apply either by their website online applications or mailing in a printed out online application to them. Some you must go directly into their business operations to apply.

      Also go to The Davis Scholarship Program.

    1. thotyelwa,

      not sure but they may. I would email them directly about this because it’s a related field which may work for you.

  5. I am a Social Work Student looking for financial assistace to further my studies. I’m doing my 1st year at North West University Mafikeng Campus. please help.

    1. Rasekgantsho,

      go to the financial aids office at North West University Mafikeng Campus to find out the latest new bursary programs and student aid which you may qualify for.

  6. my is alfred boya,23years of age.i am asking for the bursary to study acting for camera in any college.
    i am very passionate about it.i’ve been trying very hard to find bursary to study that course of my dream please help.i prefer to study diploma at boston city campus please help.

    1. alfred,

      go to The Davis Scholarship to read about a program which may help you. Contacting Boston City Campus’s financial aids office to inquire about their student aid options is a very good first step too!

  7. I am 31 years and are working permanently for Sun International. I can’t afford the study assistance they are offering to the staff because we need to pay it back on a monthly basis while studying. I want to further my studies so I can get a better job to get security for my daughter. I am a single mother who really wants to give my child a better education but first I need to study and work hard to give her the education she needs. I want to study Bachelors of Law at Unisa because I can’t afford to study full time as I need the money to support my daughter with food and clothing. Is there anyway you can give me information for bursaries for distant learning and part-time studies?

    I will highly appreciate any information I can get.

    Thank you

    Vidonia

    1. Vidonia,

      Have you talked to your financial aids office at the college your attending (Unisa)? There may other options you have not looked into where the financial aids office could expose you too. One of the best bursary programs for distant learning would be Canada. Have you looked into grant programs at your college? Have you talked to Sun about their possible student aid for their employees? Do they have a bursary program for their employees? They might. If you haven’t don’t this yet start on immediately. You have your best opportunity because you’re already an employee their.

      Try bursaries from the government as the best option for distant learning.

  8. Hi I’m an introvert,people’s person,sympathetic&also got an genuine luv for children. And I would like to make a difference by being part&parcel of their lives.Changing their lives is not easy,but with patience&harmony we can all make it.So for me to make it to that level,I need financial support for me to study ‘SOCIAL WORKER’&prove myself that this is what I’m into through hardwork&perseverence.

    1. Neo,

      apply to as many as you can and don’t stop. Also visit the FinAid office to meet with a professional student aid money manager to see what programs to apply to.

  10. hi im currently doing BSc computer science 2nd year, i need a bursary, -please help, i got permanent residant.

    1. lindiwe,

      no – you must use a bursary to pay for college you will be attending and is paid directly to your college most of the time.

  12. I matriculated last year and next year i will be studying BSC(Physical Sciences) at the University of Johannesburg. I need a bursary.

    1. Ntombi,

      contact the Finaid office of the University of Johannesburg to get a list of who offers bursaries in your field.

  13. I WANT TO STUDY INFORMATION SYSTEMS AT NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY NEXT YEAR BUT I HAVE A FUNDING PROBLEM.WHERE DO I TURN TO WITH SUCH A PROBLEM?

    1. LEE-MAX,

      first place I’d check with is NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY since you want to go there. Make an appointment with their financial aids manager who will tell you all your student aid options and more!

  14. Am requiring a bursary am doinfg financial iformation system at vaal university of technology and am doing my first year

  15. im doing B.ED1 at UNIZULU i didn’t get my academic record since im owing the univesty so i like to get help to spoornet company.i dont know what to do because many bursaries need an academic record.

  16. Im a first year forestry student at NMMU in saasveld campus im in need for a bursary right now i dnt even have a money to pay for my modules and for stationeries and next i must go and do my practicals if i get a company that will take me.

  17. Im currently doing Level 4, Office Administration at Gert Sibande College and I want to continue studying for a diploma at Tswane University of Technology do I qualify to get a busary because Im financial needy

  18. Im admitted at university of johannesburg,for metallurgical engineering,a bridging course. Wher can i get bursary?

    1. ADVICE,

      apply to any to see if you qualify for them. The only way to find out is to apply to those bursaries which you may qualify for.

  20. My name is Letlhogonolo Modise. I am a student in the NORTH WEST UNIVERSITY (MAFIKENG CAMPUS). I would like to be assisted financially. I am studying POPULATION AND DEVELOPMENT STUDIES .Next year will be my second year.

    I am a hard working person, always up for a challenge and will do whatever it takes to reach success. If you give out bursaries may I please be included.

    L. Modise

    1. Letlhogonolo,

      we explain about many various forms of bursaries on our site but you must apply to them if you want to find out if you qualify for one. You do this by going directly to the bursary sponsors website to apply online directly with them. There is normally a link in the article which will take you there, or you must search for the bursary in your favorite search engine to come to the updated and correct URL to apply. If the bursary sponsor changes their links often then we will not continue to provide the link in our article.

  21. HI!
    I STUDIED AT A COLLAGE IN QUEENSTOWN 2010 AND COULDNT COMPLETE MY SCHOOL FEES,I NEED TO GO BACK TO COLLAGE BUT DONT HAVE MONEY FOR REGISTRATION OR TO COMPLETE MY OUTSTANDING AMOUNT.PLEASE HELP ME!

    1. ASIVE,

      we explain about many various forms of bursaries on our site but you must apply to them if you want to find out if you qualify for one. You do this by going directly to the bursary sponsors website to apply online directly with them. There is normally a link in the article which will take you there, or you must search for the bursary in your favorite search engine to come to the updated and correct URL to apply. If the bursary sponsor changes their links often then we will not continue to provide the link in our article.

  22. I am in grade 12 doing history,mathematics,life sciences and geography,next year i want to do law studies ,i need bursary,where can i find one

    1. MNYANDU,

      their is no one bursary application form you can fill out to apply to all bursaries. You must go to the bursary sponsors website (college or company) and fill out their own bursary application form. They are all different. Most you can apply online.

  24. Im doing my 1st year in Bimedicine n i want to know where can i get a bursaryfor the 3 year course that i will be doing

  25. i applied for nsfas last year,they said my documents were lost somewhere cause they did not receive them.now i have no funding for my studies.please may i have help soon since i have an outstanding balance.

    1. senzo,

      we do not sponsor bursaries. We write about many of the ones student should know about. I’m sure if you look here – especially into your government bursary programs, you will find some to apply to.

  26. Hi
    I am doing electrical engineering with IT, 1st year, at UJ, I have
    financial difficulties and i urgently need a bursary.
    please help

  27. Hi my name is kabelo maphosa am studying logistics management at university of johannesburg..i really need finanacial assistance because i live wit my mother and she is unemployed of which makes it difficult for us to pay fees..n i cant afford to be a drop-out simply because of financial problems because am a very dedicated studient who wants succeed and make a better future for me and my mother…i have a good academic potential…please please help me…please contuct me on this number if u dnt find me on ma email coz it sometimes develops silly problems.

  28. I am doing infomation technology, 1st year, at TUT, I have
    financial difficulties and i urgently need a bursary.
    please help

    1. ndzalama,

      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. Read more at TUT bursaries.

  29. Hi
    I am doing bnsc at NWU,and realy need a bursary please help me…i have flnancial difficulties.

    1. motlhamme,

      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. New student aid programs come out monthly and college’s are all notified of them.

  30. Hi
    I completed my matric in 2010, and went to study office adinistration at ORBIT FET COLLEGE AT RUSTENBURG CAMPUS, i was fortunate to get an nsfas Bursary,’i only attended for one year’ i had to drop out at the college because i had to go gauteng,because of some famaly issues

    i just want to know if is it possible for me to apply for a free bursary while im not studying, and for the matter of fact to a higher in stitution, say maybe UJ?,

    regards letsholonyana

    1. letsholonyana,

      you must be attending college or getting ready to and prove it to the bursary sponsor. Bursary awards are paid directly to the college. So you must show proof of acceptance some where.

  31. Hi.I’m doing grade 12,I want to study law next year.how can i get a barsary or scholarship for next year

  32. hi i would like to attain a teachers certicficate in pre-primary grade R 1 & 2 im currently living in kzn, how do i go about applyin for a
    free burasie, because i would like to attain the above qualification!

    thank you!

  33. im curently doing office management and technology at vaal university of technology and im looking forward to get the company that will fund me im stragiling to pay my fees at the university so please guys any company that will find aperson like me please help.

  34. HI MY NAME IS THABISO,IM STUDIENG DEVELOPMENT STUDIES AT THE UNIVERSITY OF NORTH WEST,I APPLIED FOR NSFAS BURSARY LAST YEAR BUT MY APPLICATION IT WASNT APPROVED DUE TO LIMITED FUNDS THEY SAY.SO IM ASKING IS THERE ANYTHING I CAN DO,BECAUSE I DONT HAVE ANY BOOKS NO I ONLY MANAGED TO REGISTER AND CANT AFFORD TO DROP OUT

  35. HELO,IAM CURRENTLY IN ZAMBIA AND COMPLETED MY SECONDARY EDUCATION, I WANT TO STUDY NURSING OR DENTAL SURGERY IN UKRAINE, I GOT ALL THE IMFOMATION AND I GAVE IT TO THE ONE WHO SPONSORS MY EDUCATION BUT HE SAID, THE FEES WERE TO HIGH. PLEASE HELP ME GET A BURSARY OR EVEN 75% SO THAT I CAN PERSUE MY STUDIES.I WILL HIGH APPRECIAT.

    1. violet,

      we do not offer bursaries, but only write about the good ones so you can go to their websites and apply to them. My first suggestion would be to try and obtain bursaries form your government educational department; then look to apply to as many private medical bursaries as you can.

  36. MY NAME IS SIMANGA MTHEMBU I FINISHED MY METRIC IN 2002 WITH DISTINCTIONS ON THE FOLLOWING SUBJECTS MATHS(A) GEOGRAPHY(A) AFRIKAANS(A) SCIENCE (E) BIOLOGY(D) ID LOVE TO STUDY NURSING OR MEDICINE I HERE BY ASK THE COLLAGE TO FUND ME AND PAY FOR MY STUDIES MY NO IS 0781473976.

    THANK YOU
    SIMANGA MTHEMBU

  37. I’m a first year student ,studying at university of kwazulu natal Howard campus.i need help with basaries please contact me 0608282854 .i am dedicated to my studies

    1. mnqobi,

      apply to any bursaries we write about by going to the bursary sponsor website to apply. Normally there is a link in the article.

  38. Can you please help me iam looking for a bursaries i got a higher certificate at school so i want to further my studies dats my dream.

  39. I just finished my diploma in logistics management, I want to study at canada or UK, I was wondering if there are any scholarships I can apply at

  40. Good day, I have a degree in theology and would like to do the PGCE teaching qualifications how do i go about a bursary in this regard?

  41. I would like to have a bursary in Montessori because I want to direct children into life and I can’t afford it pls Najwa

  42. Am Tumo Tong from gauteng skwart camp at slove I want to study further but my mother she’s a single parent unable to pay for my studies please any one for help call me at 0784981907

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