If you’re struggling to find funding, don’t give up. There are many companies and institutions that offer alternative bursaries and scholarships to students. These bursaries and scholarships can help you cover your registration fees, tuition, and other expenses, so you can focus on your studies and achieve your dreams.
For some financial freedom, here is a list of bursaries and scholarships that you can apply for from now until the end of 2023. As the academic year gains momentum, students face the exciting challenge of pursuing higher education.
However, financial concerns can cloud this journey. Bursaries offer a ray of hope by providing financial assistance. This list outlines bursaries closing soon to help guide students towards valuable opportunities:
Bursaries Closing in September 2023
- Film and Television Studies – 08 September
- City of Cape Town – 08 September
- Bigen – 11 September
- The Institute of Municipal Engineering of SA (IMESA) – 15 September
- Western Cape Provincial Treasury – 15 September
- Citrus Academy – 15 September
- IMESA – 15 September
- AgriSETA Discretionary Grants Funding – 15 September
- Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Scholarship – 15 September
- Afrimat Bursary – Safety, Environmental, Geology (Afrimat Iron Ore) – 22 September
- Western Cape Health – 29 September
- South African National Roads and Agency (SANRAL) – 30 September
- Transnet: For Degree and Diploma – 30 September
- Transnet: Engineering Bursaries– 30 September
- Public Investment Corporation (PIC) – 30 September
- Investec – 30 September
- Amazon Web Services (AWS): Skills Development Bursaries – 30 September
- South African National Seed Organization (SANSOR) – 30 September
- Auditor–General of South Africa (AGSA) – 30 September
- HATCH Bursary Programme: Mechanical Engineering – 30 September
- Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary Programme – 30 September
- South African Reserve Bank – 30 September
- Standard Bank Bursaries – 30 September
- PRASA Annual Bursary – 30 September
- HCI Foundation Bursary – 30 September
Bowmans Law Bursary – 30 September
List of Bursaries Closing in October 2023
- MQA: Mining Qualifications Authority 2024 Bursary – 01 October
- Molilo Bursary – 3 October
- Sasol Mining Bursary Opportunities – 4 October
- Varsity College Scholarship – 06 October
- Foundation for Pharmaceutical Education (FPE) – 06 October
- France – South Africa Scholarship Programme – 16 October
- Bloemhof Scholarship Fund Trust (BBT) Scholarship – 16 October
- Bursary at Kwazulu-Natal Film Commission (KANFC) – 27 October
- Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) Bursary – 31 October
- PSG Bursary Programme – 31 October
- Department of Agriculture, Land Reform and Rural Development (DALRRD) Bursary– 31 October
- BET Bursary – 31 October
- EY Bursary – 31 October
- Potatoes SA Bursary – 31 October
- Subtrop SAAGA Bursary – 31 October
- V3 Consulting Engineers Bursary – 31 October
- Hulamin Bursary – will receive feedback by the end of October each year
List of Bursaries Closing in November and December 2023
- South African Weather Service (SAWS) Bursary – 01 November 2023
- Monocle Foundation Bursary – 10 November
- WAAW Foundation Scholarship – 17 November
- Gauteng Department of Social Development Bursary – 17 November
- Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) Bursary – 20 November
- Hillary Construction Bursary – 30 November
- Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary – 30 November
- Pyrotech Bursary – 08 December
- ADSA Bursary – 08 December
- Webber Wentzel Scholarship – 31 December (fill in the application form)
General Criteria for Bursaries
It is important to note that the specific criteria for each bursary will vary. Here are some general criteria for bursaries in South Africa
Academic Excellence
Minimum passing marks required vary by institution and programme. Typically, a strong academic record with distinctions in relevant subjects is preferred in order to qualify for a bursary.
Financial Need
- Bursaries often prioritise students from low-income backgrounds.
- Applicants may need to provide proof of family income.
South African Citizenship Or Permanent Residency
Most bursaries are available to South African citizens or permanent residents:
- Citizenship is established through birth, descent, naturalisation, or marriage to a South African citizen. South African citizenship or permanent residency is a fundamental eligibility criterion for most bursary programs in the country.
- Permanent residency allows foreign nationals to live and work in South Africa indefinitely.
- Applicants must provide documented proof of their South African citizenship or permanent residency.
- In some cases, refugees, and asylum seekers may be eligible for bursaries, even if they are not South African citizens or permanent residents.
- Non-citizens or individuals without permanent residency may have limited options for financial assistance for education.
Programme or Field of Study
Bursaries may be specific to certain fields of study or programs. This means that applicants must enroll in a programme that is relevant to the bursary’s main focal point.
For example, to qualify for a science-related bursary, you would have to either be studying or considering studying a science-related programme.
Community Involvement
Some bursaries consider community service or extracurricular activities as part of the requirements needed in order to qualify.
Historically Disadvantaged Background
Certain bursaries aim to support historically disadvantaged groups, such as Black South Africans:
- Many bursaries prioritise historically disadvantaged groups as part of the country’s commitment to redress historical injustices.
- Bursaries targeting historically disadvantaged groups may cover various fields of study, from STEM to the arts and humanities.
- Supporting historically disadvantaged students through bursaries can have a profound impact on social and economic development in South Africa.
- Criteria for what constitutes a historically disadvantaged background can evolve to include other marginalised groups or to adapt to changing social dynamics.
Check the specific eligibility criteria and application guidelines for bursaries targeting historically disadvantaged backgrounds. They can vary among different programs and organisations.
Age Restrictions
Some bursaries may have age limits for applicants.
Minimum Passing Marks
- Passing marks required for eligibility vary widely but are typically high.
- These marks can range from 50% to 70% or higher, depending on the bursary and institution.
- Meeting the minimum passing marks is essential to qualify for most bursaries.
Specific bursary programs may have additional or unique criteria, and passing marks can change over time. Students need to research and verify the eligibility criteria for the particular bursary you are interested in.
Other alternatives are available if you do not qualify for a bursary, such as student loans. Good luck with your applications!
Author: Lynnzelle Adams
Editor: Dylan Florence
Published on 17 September 2023
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