Bursaries For South African University Students In 2027: Where To Apply And Avoid Scams
Are you starting to think about university in South Africa in 2027 but don't have the funds to cover your expenses? A bursary could help eligible students pay for their studies and pursue their dream career.
University fees can cover a lot of expenses, including accommodation, books, transport and other costs related to a student's course. Bursaries for students in South Africa can differ depending on the expenses they're meant to cover.
In this guide, Job Opportunities SA shares how to find bursaries for university in 2027, what documents students might have to submit, the application process and how to avoid scams.
1. What Is A Bursary?
A bursary is a form of financial aid that students can apply for in order to get help paying for their education. Bursaries can be offered by different government departments, universities, private companies, foundations, organisations and other bodies.
Some bursaries are specifically designed for students who come from households that meet certain financial criteria. On the other hand, some bursaries are aimed at students who want to pursue specific fields of study.
Bursaries offered in South Africa could have different conditions attached to them. For example, some might require that beneficiaries work for the company or organisation that sponsors the award after completing their studies.
It's important to read and understand the fine print and requirements of a bursary before applying and accepting it.
2. Where To Find University Bursaries In 2027
Students have to search for bursaries using their official website and double-check that they apply for the funding opportunity they're interested in.
A. National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
This is a government-funded programme that offers financial aid to students who studying at South Africa's public universities and TVET colleges and fit the NSFAS criteria.
The NSFAS website states that the 2027 application window opens on 18 September and closes on 31 October 2026.
The NSFAS website can be found here. https://www.nsfas.org.za/content/how-to-apply.html
Students must ensure they understand the application requirements. They should also apply through an official myNSFAS portal.
There are no fees to apply for NSFAS funding, and students should be wary of individuals or organisations that ask for money to guarantee approval.
B. Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary
This programme funds approved teaching degrees for students who want to become qualified teachers in South Africa. Students who apply for this bursary must be approved based on the Funza Lushaka criteria. It is limited to degrees that are approved and in demand by the Department of Education.
The Funza Lushaka website can be found here. https://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/Home/
The department has listed 31 January 2027 as the closing date for new applications and 30 November 2026 for returning bursars. Students must check the website for updated guidelines, requirements and qualifying teaching degrees.
C. ISFAP Bursary Programme
Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) offers students financial aid for selected degrees at various universities. Depending on the programme's requirements, students will know which courses are approved and if the university they want to attend qualifies.
The ISFAP website can be found here. https://www.isfap.org.za/students
https://applyonline.isfap.org.za/
Students must go through the eligibility guidelines before submitting their application.
D. Universities' Financial Aid Office
Universities usually host information about financial aid, bursaries, scholarships, and other funding opportunities.
On the university's website, students can navigate to a Financial Aid section, Bursaries and Scholarships, Financial Aid, Fees and Funding or Undergraduate or Postgraduate Funding page. Students can look through the available bursaries and scholarships and apply if they find one that fits their requirements.
Some bursaries are only open to currently registered students, while others offer opportunities to prospective students.
Each university will have different requirements, so students should check the financial aid office pages for funding options.
E. Companies And Private Bursaries
Companies and foundations also offer bursaries to students, including those who want to study specific fields of expertise like engineering, accounting, finance, IT, agriculture and many more.
Students should browse through the bursary and student funding sections of the companies' websites to find out what opportunities they offer. They should also make sure they've followed all application instructions and submit the application before the closing date.
It's important to keep in mind that just because a company listed a bursary in the past, doesn't mean it will be available all year. Students should always double-check the official application date from the company offering the funding.
3. Who Can Apply For A University Bursary?
Depending on the bursary, students will have to meet specific requirements. For example, some might only approve applications from South African citizens, or those who have passed Grade 12 or are writing matric. Some conditions might require a student to achieve certain marks, be admitted or registered at a university or study a specific field of expertise.
Other requirements might be that a student meets a specific income bracket and can provide documentation, or that they complete certain documents by the deadline.
Students should always make sure they meet the minimum requirements before applying.
4. What Documents You'll Need
Students should compile the necessary documents ahead of applying for a bursary, but should always double-check what the bursary requires.
They might include:
A South African ID document or other valid form of identification.
Student's matric or latest results.
A University acceptance letter, depending on the bursary.
A registration letter, if applicable.
Transcripts for currently studying students.
Proof of income for students who meet the income criteria.
Proof of residence, if the bursary requires it.
A motivation letter or CV, if applicable.
Other documents that were specified by the bursary.
Some bursaries might accept electronic documents, while others might require hard copies. Students should always make sure they complete all the documents the bursary requires.
Students should also make sure not to email or send any documents to unverified email addresses or websites, especially if they don't have a physical copy of the document.
5. How To Apply For A Bursary (8 Steps)
When applying for a bursary, students can follow these steps.
1. Find a bursary
Students should browse through the various government, university, company and sponsor websites and look for a bursary that fits their needs.
2. Read the requirements
Students should make note of any courses, institution, academic, financial, and other requirements.
3. Check the closing date
Students should use the official website to check the closing date for the bursary. They shouldn't rely on word of mouth or information found on social media.
4. Prepare documents
Before completing the application form, students should gather all the necessary documents.
5. Complete the application form
Students should fill in the application form with their personal, academic and financial information. They should provide their own contact information and only the relevant information asked in the application.
6. Upload documents
Students should make sure they upload the correct documents to the specified sections. They should check that the documents are clear and readable.
7. Review
Before submitting the application, students should review all the information they've provided once again.
8. Save your application
Students should save the confirmation page for their application and use their application tracking number to check their application status.
6. What Expenses Can A Bursary Cover?
Depending on the bursary, students might be able to use the funding to cover various expenses. These might include tuition fees, approved accommodation, books, meals, transport and other expenses related to their studies. Students should also always read the fine print of the bursary to ensure that they understand what expenses are covered and which ones they will have to pay for themselves.
Some bursaries might only cover specific expenses, while others might cover all the costs of a student's degree. Some bursaries might pay directly to the institution, while others might pay the student.
7. How To Improve Your Chances Of Getting A Bursary
There's no guarantee that someone will get a bursary, but there are things they can do to improve their chances of getting funding.
They can;
1. Apply for a bursary that suits their needs. A bursary application might be disapproved automatically if the student doesn't meet the minimum requirements.
2. Prepare documents ahead of time. If a student doesn't submit the required documents, their application might be rejected.
3. Provide valid and true information. If a student lies on an application form their application might be rejected or, if they get the bursary, they might be asked to return any funds.
4. Follow the instructions. Students should always make sure they do exactly what the application instructions say.
5. Write a motivation letter, if applicable. If a bursary requires a motivation letter they should spend time writing it and ensure that it meets the requirements and gives their best impression.
6. Check emails and application site regularly. Students should always keep their email address active and make sure they receive any new information regarding their application.
7. Reply to any queries regarding the application.
8. Keep track of the bursaries they've applied for.
Students shouldn't leave it to the very last minute to submit an application because they might encounter technical issues or forget to submit their application.
8. Why Your Application Might Not Be Approved
There are several reasons why an application might be rejected, depending on the requirements of the bursary. Some of the common reasons include not meeting the requirements, not applying for a qualifying course of study, providing incorrect or fake documents, submitting an application after the closing date, providing invalid or false information or not meeting the academic, financial or other criteria. Another common reason could be if there isn't enough funding to approve all the applications that were received.
If a student's application is rejected, they should re-read the guidelines and requirements to see where they went wrong or find out if there is an option to appeal or enquire about the decision.
9. Where To Avoid Bursary Scams
When looking for bursaries, students should be wary of any bursary that is advertised on social media or other platforms, such as WhatsApp. Students should always keep the following in mind if they want to avoid bursary scams:
They should verify an opportunity through a sponsor's official website. If a bursary is legitimate, it should have an application link on the official sponsor's website.
Students should ensure that the application link belongs to the sponsor and is not a fake link planted to steal students' personal or financial information.
They should be wary of anyone who guarantees them a bursary.
They should never give away passwords or security codes to anyone.
They should not pay anyone who claims they can get a bursary for them.
They should only submit personal documents to verified and official application sites.
NSFAS applications should not incur any fees. Students should be wary of anyone that asks for money to guarantee a NSFAS bursary.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for more than one bursary?
Depending on the bursary, students might be able to apply for more than one bursary, but they should always disclose that they receive funding from another bursary if they're applying for a second one, because most bursaries won't allow students to receive more than one.
Can I apply before getting accepted into a university?
It depends on the bursary, but students can look through the criteria of a bursary to see if they're allowed to apply before they get accepted.
Can Grade 12 learners apply for bursaries?
Yes, because some bursaries accept students that are about to write their matric or have already written it.
Does a bursary have to be paid back?
Many bursaries do not have to be paid back, but students must take note of any requirements attached to the bursary to ensure that they don't have to pay back any funds.
How can I check if my application was approved?
Students should use the official website or contact the bursary with their application number to find out their application status.
Conclusion
Finding a bursary for university in South Africa requires students to do research and ensure that they have all the required documents before they apply.
When looking for bursaries, students should visit the official websites of the bursaries, organisations or companies offering the bursaries and ensure that they understand the requirements and deadlines. Students should always take note of any guidelines and terms and conditions of the bursary, and avoid scams by checking that the application site is legitimate and not asking for any fees before submitting an application.
Job Opportunities SA will keep sharing bursary news and information, as well as learnerships and internships, to ensure South Africans have the information they need to get the future they deserve.
Disclaimer : Please note that this article serves only informational purposes. All application dates, requirements, guidelines and policies are subject to change. It is always the applicant's responsibility to ensure that they understand the requirements and policies of a bursary programme.
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