NSFAS ain’t the only game in town when it comes to student funding, bursaries and scholarships in 2021.
Now that the Unisa application window is closed (for undergraduate and postgraduate studies anyway), the next step on the list is to find funding for your studies – right?
But what if you do not have funding? What if you got accepted for your dream qualification but were unable to pay the registration fee. One option would be to apply and qualify for a NSFAS bursary but what if your application was rejected? Fortunately, many companies and institutions offer alternative bursaries and scholarships that students can apply for – and secure their future at their chosen university.
But before we go into the nitty gritty, we’d have to ask ourselves…
What are Bursaries and Scholarships?
Bursaries, as some may know, are a form of study programme that’s funded by institutions and exist solely for students who are unable to fund their studies. A firm example of this would be NSFAS, the main financial aid scheme in the country.
Scholarships, on the other hand, are financial aid schemes that are awarded to students in recognition of their hard work in terms of academic or sporting achievements.
With bursaries, repayments are usually made to whomever invested in a student’s education (there’s no such thing as a free lunch, of course). Bursaries are usually interest-free, meaning the amount of money paid for tuition would become the amount owed. Bursaries can come with additional stipulations. For example, students can be obliged to work for the organisation that invested in their studies until they’ve repaid the faith the business invested in them.
With scholarships, it’s similar to bursaries in the sense that institutions hope to reap rewards in their investment. Scholarships are like gifts, but beneficial to both parties (quid pro quo).
Also Read: Basic Education Nov 2020 Language Exam Papers
Student Loans: What Are They?
A third financial funding option available to students are the student loans – loans borrowed by students from financial institutions to be used for university tuition. They are usually seen as a valuable alternative to students who do not qualify for either a bursary or scholarship.
They are loans made to be paid back over time to the borrower, with interest. Student loans work via a student and a working parent applying for them. The parent and/or student would have to pay the interest amount of the loan on a monthly basis for the duration of their studies. Upon graduation, students would thus have to repay the remainder of the loan through monthly installments.
Student loans are not zero-rated and instead are loans offered with low interest rates. Keep in mind that while financial institutions are there to assist you with student funding, they are also in the business of making money.
What Student Funding Opportunities Are Available
Below, you will find a number of selected bursaries and scholarships available in a wide variety of fields. From media studies to finance; from law to engineering, these are the best available bursary options at this moment in time (as of 25 October 2021):
Selected Bursaries and Scholarships
Globeleq Scholarship Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 29 October 2021
Netflix Film Studies Bursary/Scholarship Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
PPS Foundation Bursary Programme – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Fairtree Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
HollywoodBets Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Epilepsy Educational Trust Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Petra Diamonds Ltd Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Ithuba Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Old Mutual Tech Talent Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
BET Software Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Dentsu International SA Bursary Scheme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
South African Reserve Bank Bursary – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
SAAFoST Foundation Bursary Programme 2022 (Matriculants) – 02 November 2021
KZN Film Commission Bursary Programme 2023 – Closing Date: 12 November 2021
General Electric South Africa Bursary 2022 – Closing Date: 19 November 2021
Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme (for existing/returning bursars) – Closing Date: 29 November 2021 (new applications open on 01 February 2022)
Clicks Foundation Bursary Scheme 2022 – Closing Date: 30 November 2021
iStudent Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 30 November 2021
Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 30 November 2021
KISCH Scholarships 2022 Programme – Closing Date: 30 November 2022
ABSA Bursary Programme 2022
iStudent Bursary Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 30 November 2021
PSG Bursary/Scholarship Programme 2022 – Closing Date: 31 December 2021|
SAAFoST Foundation Bursary Programme 2022 (Undergraduate) – 31 January 2022
Selected Bursaries and Scholarships: Governmental and Municipal
Langeberg Municipality Bursary – Closing Date: 29 October 2021
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipality Bursary – Closing Date: 29 October 2021
Nkangala District Municipality Bursary – Closing Date: 29 October 2021
Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development Bursary – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
Limpopo Department of Public Works, Roads and Infrastructure Bursary – Closing Date: 31 October 2021
City of Johannesburg Bursary Scheme 2022 – Closing Date: 5 November 2021
Stellenbosch Municipality Bursary Scheme 2022 – Closing Date: 19 November 2021
Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Bursary – Closing Date: 26 November 2021
Compensation Fund Bursary Scheme 2022 – Closing Date: 30 November 2021
Selected Bursaries and Scholarships: Student Loans
ABSA
NSFAS
Fundi
JustMoney
Standard Bank
Nedbank
FNB
Capitec (in association with Stadio)
What is the best financial option for me and my future studies?
There are quite a number of options available when it comes to student funding.
It’s not a large surprise that students can feel overwhelmed by all the options but the most important thing to do is weigh the pros and cons of your options and see whether the qualification you’re studying matches the requirements of those offering financial aid.
Also Read: Basic Education Non-Language Exam Papers A-H
Published: 26 October 2021
