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The best bursaries in South Africa and how to apply

There are many bursaries to fund your study dreams, the key is to apply to as many as you can. We round-up the best bursaries South Africa has to offer.

by Andrea Chothia

18-12-2019 14:22

in Lifestyle

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It’s that time of the year when we’re all looking to better ourselves in 2020 and do the things we never quite got to do in 2019. If you’re looking for a bursary to fund your education, you’ve come to the right place.

We’ve rounded up the best bursaries that South Africa has to offer.

If you’re not quite sure about the requirements or how to apply, don’t stress, we’re in it to make your study dreams come true.

What is a bursary?

According to All Bursaries South Africa, a bursary is a sum of money that is awarded to enable someone to study at university or college. Many organisations, government or corporate, will offer the bursary to study at a university and will cover the costs of full tuition fees.

Often, it will also cover additional costs involved in studying such as textbooks, laptop, living allowance for meals and accommodation.

Whether you are in your last year of school and considering going to University, a current student struggling to continue paying for education or if you have a strong academic history then a scholarship could be a great option for you.

Here’s how to find the right bursary for you

Good news – there is no limitation on the number of bursaries you can apply for. So it is recommended to complete as many applications as possible in the field of study you are interested in and where you meet the bursary requirements.

You can use the Bursaries South Africa website to find bursaries online. Applications can search their field of study or the name of the organisation or companies which is offering the bursary or scholarship.

You will find categories like accounting, arts, commerce, education, engineering, law, medical, IT and many more.

Requirements to apply for bursaries

Each bursary will often have a set of different requirements in order to qualify. Eligibility requirements often found on application forms are:

You have to be a South African citizen (or South African permanent residents)
You have a strong academic history (some bursaries require good grades in certain subject – e.g. Maths/Science/Languages)
You have currently been studying or intend to study within a specific field of study which is suitable for the bursary program
You have currently been studying or you have applied to study at a recognised institution in South Africa
You have a proven financial need (often by submitting proof of household income)

Applicants must ensure they meet all of the eligibility requirements for the bursary to be considered.