To successfully apply for a bursary, you will need to have a great application which will make you stand out from other applicants. This will be the key to studying without having to worry about any financial stress.
Before applying for a bursary, you will need to find out how you should apply for the bursary you want.
Why Should I Apply For A Bursary?
If you have genuine plans for your career one day and have a strong academic background, but need more financial aid to fund your studies, a bursary is perfect for you.
Organisations are always on the outlook to create new and passionate future employees for their companies and will be delighted to create the next generation of professionals. Applying for a bursary will be one of the best choices you will ever make.
Find out more about how you can apply with these two options:
- How Do I Apply As A High School Student?
- How Do I Apply As A University Student?
How Do I Apply As A High School Student?
Can I Get A Bursary With Grade 10?
This depends on the bursary and the company or organisation that is providing the funding. Typically, bursaries can be very subject-specific. This means that if the bursary funding degrees from the finance category. You will probably need to have subjects that align, such as pure mathematics, Science or Accounting.
How Do I Apply As A University Student?
You need to apply with the marks that you received after completing your qualification at University. This is usually done when you want to build on the qualification you have already completed.
For example, if you have already completed your Bachelor’s Degree and you want to apply for a bursary to complete your Honour’s Degree.
What Is The Age Limit For Bursaries?
This depends on the organisation. However, bursaries tend to not discriminate against race or age. This means that whether you are in your early 20s or late 40s you can still apply. Here are a few requirements you may have to meet:
- You need to be a South African (Unless stated otherwise)
- If you receive financial assistance from the government you may qualify (e.g. SASSA)
- Your combined household income will need to be a certain amount to qualify;
- This means if it is more than a certain amount annually, you will be disqualified
- Be always truthful when providing this information
- If you have a disability the combined income that will qualify will be much higher. (e.g. R600 000)
Who Does Not Qualify For A Bursary?
Bursaries differ from each other. The reason bursaries have these requirements is to ensure that they fund students who need financial help. Here are some general factors that may contribute to a student not being qualified for a bursary:
- Combined income is too high
- Did a previous qualification already
- Over the age limit
- Not a citizen of South Africa
- Does not meet the passing mark requirements (e.g. 50% in subjects)
- Students who have applied and are receiving funding already
How Do I Increase My Chances Of Getting A Bursary?
There are different ways you can increase your chances of getting a bursary. Here is a list of factors which will play a role in whether you will successfully receive a bursary:
- Have A Strong Academic History
- Apply For A Scarce Skill Qualification
- Write A Motivation Letter
- Applying Early
Have A Strong Academic History
Having good marks in High School will definitely be to your advantage.
When you pass your subjects with a mark between 50% and 80%, your chances of successfully receiving a bursary will automatically be higher.
Keep in mind that the bursary you apply for might come with additional requirements such as subject choices. This means that you will only be considered if you have specific subject choices.
Apply For A Scarce Skill Qualification
In the world of business, there are certain fields which have a shortage of employees in South Africa.
For example, Managers and Marketers. Some organisations will only award bursaries to students who want to pursue their studies in a field where there is a shortage of workers.
Write A Motivational Letter
This letter will help you stand out from all the other applicants a company has received regarding their bursary opportunity. This is your chance to show why you are the perfect candidate for their award. You can explain your motivation and passion for furthering your education and how hard you will work to complete your studies. You can write about your accomplishments and what you want to achieve during or after your studies.
What Should Be In My Motivational Letter
A motivational letter is a great way to sell the reasons why you should be rewarded with the bursary. They are for students who have excellent academic results but can not afford it. Here are a few factors to consider when writing your motivational letter:
- Describe why you need the bursary (like your financial needs)
- Tell them about the institution you are interested in and the course you want to take
- Also, ensure that you write in a respectful and professional tone
- Be sure to describe your goals
- You should include your achievements in your letter
Be sure that you create a letter that provides the reader with an idea of you as a good candidate. Add your personal touch to the letter but always remain polite and formal.
Apply Early
You do not have to wait until you receive your Matric results to apply for a bursary. Some institutions will decide whether you will receive a bursary according to your Grade 11 or even Grade 10 results. The sooner you start, the more time you can spend perfecting your application and applying for different bursaries.
Will Applying For A Bursary Be An Asset For My Future?
Yes, it will. You will not be financially burdened after your studies with funds which you need to pay back or work during your studies to be able to cover your expenses. So applying for a bursary will be one of the best choices you will ever make.
What Are The Advantages Of A Bursary?
One of the most well-known benefits of bursaries is finance! They allow students to continue studying without the need to worry about financial constraints. Amongst other functions, they may also provide allowances.
How Many Years Is A Bursary?
This depends on the bursary you applied for. Some bursaries cover the entire degree programme. While others may only cover one year or two years. You can always reapply for each year.
Does Bursaries Give Pocket Money?
Yes. Some bursaries provide you with an allowance. This could be a certain amount of money for food, transportation, accommodation as well as stationary. Bursaries usually indicate what they cover. Be sure to always be aware of what each bursary covers and what you need to be covered. Make sure to align your needs with the offers available.
Do I Need To Repay A Bursary?
This depends on the bursary. Some bursaries do have penalties that will require the student to pay back a portion or all of the funding amount. There are usually terms and conditions involved when it comes to receiving and maintaining the bursary.
What Are The Disadvantages Of A Bursary?
While some great benefits come from having a bursary. There are also some disadvantages to bursaries, namely what they cover.
Can A Student Have More Than One Bursary?
You can apply for more than one bursary, but you cannot have more than one bursary paying for your studies. Sometimes there are exceptions if the bursary you have does not cover enough. This could leave room for you to have two organisations funding your studies. If you have a fully funded bursary, you should not have more than one bursary paying for your studies.
Does A Bursary Pay For Everything?
Not always. A bursary is there to fund certain things you cannot afford. What an organisation looks for is what can do to alleviate certain financial burdens. Whether it is tuition and books, or tuition and food.
Can You Lose A Bursary?
Yes, it is possible to lose a bursary. If you have failed a few subjects, you might need to pay for that subject yourself when you redo it. If you do not perform well, this can cancel your bursary. Bursaries are awarded to students mostly because they perform well academically.
People Also Ask
You should start applying as early as possible. Most bursaries do not need your Matric results immediately. Also, be sure to apply to as many options as possible. You can use either of these Grades depending on the bursary you apply for:
- Grade 10
- Grade11
- Grade 12
Yes, you can. It is a better option if you apply for more than one bursary. There is no limit to how many bursaries you are applying for. The only limit is how many bursaries you can use. If a bursary does not cover all the necessary costs, you could have more than one bursary funding your education.
However, if a bursary fully funds your studies, you should not have more than one bursary funding you.
Bursaries cover anything from tuition fees to accommodation or even food. This depends however on whether you qualify for the funding. Many bursaries come with interviews, to allow the organisations to understand what they can cover. Some bursaries only cover tuition and some only cover books.
Bursaries are normally for students who have good grades. This results in it becoming quite competitive. Bursaries do not always have to be academically inclined. Some bursaries focus on sports or even creative arts. The key to finding a bursary is to meet the requirements and choose one that aligns with your choice of study.
Both are forms of financial assistance and were created to help students finance their studies. However, bursaries leans more to offer students assistance based on financial need. On the other hand, a scholarship is more inclined to help students based on their academic performance as well as other achievements.
There are different bursary options available. Some cover all there is to study, while others are more specific. Here are the different types of bursaries available:
- Full bursary that pays for everything from tuition fees to meals and more
- A partial bursary may only cover certain costs such as textbooks and tuition fees
- A fixed bursary for tuition fees only
- There are funding options like a Top-up bursary that helps a student based on their needs
Author: Esmari Pool
Editor: Sive Ncanywa
Date: July 29, 2022