Students from undergraduate to postgraduate levels can benefit from the extensive selection of bursaries provided in South Africa. In addition to providing students with an opportunity to gain experience and education, these bursaries alleviate the financial burden on students. Outlined below are ten key bursaries most South African students should take note of.
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
NSFAS is specially tailored for students whose chances of acquiring a tertiary education is put on hold due to financial constraints. With this bursary, students are able to obtain money for tuition fees, living expenses, and accommodation costs. In order to qualify for this grant, students must be South African citizens and enrolled in public universities or TVET colleges. The bursary is offered primarily on the basis of need and level of schooling achieved.
Website: NSFAS
The Department of Education Bursary
The South African Department of Education distributes other bursaries under various initiatives aimed at crucial parts of the developing economy. A certain section of the grant covers tuition fees and sometimes additional expenses such as accommodation. These are focused on learners wishing to take teaching, engineering, health sciences, and other important subjects with a view to practice in the key areas.
Website: Department of Education
The South African Reserve Bank (SARB) Bursary Program
The SARB Bursary Program aids educational expenses of college students studying economics, finance, accounting and law as offered by the South African Reserve Bank. The SARBwill cover the students’ SCRB Bursaries will pay for tuition, textbooks, accommodation fees, and offer the students work opportunities during holiday at SARB and after graduation, students are eligible for permanent positions.
Website: SARB Bursary Program
Adcock Ingram Bursary Scheme
Students pursuing pharmacy, chemistry and engineering can apply for Adcock Ingram’s Engineering Bursaries towards Adcock Ingram’s Bursary Program. The Undergraduate and Postgraduate bursaries opened to students studying chemistry, engineering, and pharmacy are commonly associated with grants for internship and job opportunities after the completion of the course.
Website: Adcock Ingram Bursaries
Anglo American Bursary Program
Students studying mining, engineering and metallurgy, environmental science and other relevant fields can apply for Anglo American bursaries. Students are not responsible for paying tuition or accommodation costs as they come with the bursaries, as well as a monthly stipend. In addition, work opportunities during students’ vacations are common and students are offered these positions expecting graduation.
Website: Anglo American Bursary
Sasol Bursary Program
Sasol provides scholarships to the global scholars in the field of commerce, science, and engineering.
The Sasol bursaries allow for the payment of tuition, purchase of textbooks, accommodation, as well as a living stipend. Because they can engage in vacation employment, there is also a possibility of permanent employment after graduation for the successful candidates.
Website: Sasol Bursaries
Ford Foundation International Fellowships Program (IFP)
This fellowship is awarded by the Ford Foundation to students from South Africa and other developing countries wishing to undertake master’s and doctorate studies in accredited universities. It pays for tuition, accommodation, travel, and a living stipend. It also aims to provide for students who intend advocates of social justice and development.
Website: Ford Foundation
The Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship Programme
This fellowship is awarded annually to South Africans pursuing postgraduate studies. It is intended to assist students studying towards a Master’s or Doctoral degree in fields that have bearing on the country’s future, especially in economics, science and technology. This National bursary is awarded for academic merit and the potential impact a student may have in developing South Africa.
Website: Harry Oppenheimer Fellowship
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation
The Mandela Rhodes Foundation provides scholarships for postgraduate studies to African students with the intent of obtaining a Master’s degree to be taken up in South Africa.
The scholarship covers all accommodation and tuition fees, and other costs while emphasizing on leadership development. Students are chosen based on academic performance and their ability to contribute positively to the society.
Website: Mandela Rhodes Foundation
Vodacom Bursary Program
Vodacom has certain bursary awards for students in different disciplines such as engineering, information technology, and business. The Vodacom bursary includes tuition, accommodation, and other relevant expenses. In addition, students are given an opportunity to intern with Vodacom and may be hired after they finish their studies.
Website: Vodacom Bursaries
These bursaries give students in South Africa great opportunities by offering monetary support and professional working experience. For both undergraduate and postgraduate students, there is an abundance of bursaries from many industries that will diminish the cost of education and help start a successful career. It is crucial to fully understand each program and apply early in order to have the greatest chance of obtaining funding.
