South Africa has thousands of bursaries available every year — but most students never find them. This guide shows you exactly where to look and how to apply successfully.
What is a Bursary?
A bursary is financial assistance that does not need to be repaid (unlike a student loan). Some bursaries come with a work-back obligation — meaning you work for the company that funded you for a set number of years after graduation.
Types of Bursaries in South Africa
1. Corporate bursaries — Offered by large companies (Sasol, Eskom, Anglo American, etc.) for students studying in fields relevant to their business.
2. Government bursaries — Offered by national and provincial government departments. Often target specific professions like teachers, nurses, and engineers.
3. University bursaries — Most universities have their own bursary funds, separate from NSFAS. Apply through your institution's financial aid office.
4. NGO and foundation bursaries — Non-profit organisations like the Abe Bailey Trust, Beit Trust, and Oppenheimer Memorial Trust offer competitive bursaries.
5. Professional body bursaries — Organisations like SAICA (accounting), ECSA (engineering), and SAICA offer funding for students in their fields.
Top Bursary Databases in South Africa
- PathwaySA Opportunity Finder (updated regularly)
- Bursaries South Africa (bursariesouthafrica.co.za)
- Zabursaries
- SAStudySA
- Government's Funza Lushaka (for teachers)
Search thousands of current bursaries, learnerships, and scholarships — filtered by field and province.
How to Apply for Bursaries
Step 1: Start early
Most bursaries close between March and September for the following year. Start searching in January.
Step 2: Prepare your documents
You'll typically need:
- Academic transcript or matric results
- Certified copy of ID
- Proof of household income (parents' payslips or bank statements)
- A motivation letter / personal statement
- Reference letters from teachers or community leaders
Step 3: Write a strong motivation letter
Your motivation letter is crucial. Cover:
- Why you chose this field of study
- Your academic achievements
- Financial need
- How you'll give back to your community
Each motivation letter should be tailored to the specific bursary provider. Mention the company or organisation by name and explain why you want to work in their industry.
Step 4: Apply to multiple bursaries
Don't put all your hope in one bursary. Apply to at least 10. The success rate for competitive bursaries can be as low as 2–5%.
Step 5: Follow up
If you don't hear back within the stated timeframe, it's acceptable to send a polite follow-up email.
Common Bursary Application Mistakes
- Applying too late — many students miss deadlines entirely
- Generic motivation letters — copying and pasting the same letter to every provider
- Missing documents — incomplete applications are automatically rejected
- Not proofreading — spelling mistakes signal lack of effort
- Ignoring smaller bursaries — R5,000–R20,000 bursaries have far less competition
What If You Don't Get a Bursary?
Don't give up. Apply again next year with a stronger application. In the meantime:
- Apply for NSFAS if you qualify
- Look into learnerships — these are paid work-based training programmes
- Check if your university offers work-study programmes
Find bursaries, learnerships, and scholarships suited to your field and province.
