NSFAS Bursary Alternatives to Fund Education in South Africa
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a significant source of funding for many South African students. However, it’s not the only option available. There are several other bursaries and scholarships that students can apply for if they do not qualify for NSFAS or need additional funding.
This article will provide a list of alternatives to NSFAS bursaries in South Africa that can fund your education at various levels, including undergraduate, postgraduate, and doctoral studies.
List Of Bursary Alternatives to Fund Education in South Africa
NSFAS isn’t the only organization that provides bursaries. With over 300 bursaries available in South Africa, we will focus on some of the most prominent ones. While these bursaries may not be equivalent to NSFAS, they offer alternative funding options for those seeking educational support.
Based on our research and inquiries, we will present you with a variety of bursary alternatives to finance your education.
Check Out: List of Institutions and Colleges that NSFAS Fund 2024
1. Funza Lushaka Bursary
The Funza Lushaka Bursary is a four-year program aimed at students pursuing a Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) degree. It’s designed for students who aspire to become teachers, with the goal of promoting teaching as a profession.
The bursary offers different majors, including Foundation Phase (Grade R to Grade 3), Intermediate Phase (Grade 4 to Grade 6), and Senior and Further Education and Training Teaching (Grade 7 to Grade 12).
2. SETA Bursary
The Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA) provides bursaries to stimulate student skills development.
These bursaries are awarded to academically strong students to increase the number of students in disciplines with limited skills. Students are required to sign a contract to work in South Africa, sometimes in a specific sector.
The bursary covers tuition, textbooks, accommodation, meals, and research expenses.
The bursary covers tuition, accommodation, learning materials, meals, registration, and living expenses. Eligibility requires a grade 12 certificate, being under 30 years old, and maintaining good academic performance.
3. SITA Bursary
The State Information Technology Agency (SITA) offers a bursary for students studying ICT. The aim is to bridge the gap in the Information and Communication sector.
The bursary covers fields such as Information Technology, Applied Sciences, Social Studies, and Agriculture, and includes accommodation, transport, learning materials, meals, and tuition fees.
To be eligible, you must be a South African citizen studying an ICT-related course at a recognized tertiary institution in South Africa and hold a matric certificate.
4. Sasol Bursary
The Sasol Bursary is for talented individuals who wish to study full-time. This comprehensive bursary scheme covers various fields, prioritizing sectors that the country needs most for the future, such as Engineering & Technology, Data Science, Agricultural Science, Environmental & Medical Sciences, Construction & Manufacturing, Financial Sciences, etc.
It includes undergraduate fields like Chemical Engineering (BEng / BSc), Electronic Engineering (BEng / BSc), and Mining Engineering (BEng / BSc), and postgraduate studies like Cyber Security (MEng / MSc / Ph.D.), etc.
5. Motsepe Foundation Bursary
The Motsepe Foundation aims to improve the lives of the country’s impoverished unemployed population. Over 2000 students receive this fund, which covers tuition, accommodation, living expenses, and books.
The foundation awards bursaries in fields such as Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics, Technology, Business Studies, Law, Arts, Medical Studies, Sciences, and Agriculture.
Eligibility requires being a South African citizen, achieving more than 70% marks in matric, studying or intending to study in any of the above fields at a recognized tertiary education institute, meeting the financial income level criteria, and maintaining excellent grades.
6. NRF Bursaries
The National Research Foundation (NRF) offers bursaries for postgraduate South African students who intend to study full-time. NRF bursaries support students pursuing their honors, master’s, and doctoral degrees.
The bursary aims to promote all fields of Science, Engineering, Technology, Social Sciences, and Humanities, including Indigenous Knowledge Systems, among South African students.
The age requirements for honors, master’s, and doctoral studies are 28, 30, and 32, respectively. The academic requirement for postgraduate studies is at least 65%.
7. South African Civil Aviation Authority (SACAA) Bursary
The SACAA provides a bursary for students who are interested in pursuing engineering in the 2023 academic year. This bursary supports the following fields:
- Aeronautical Engineering
- Aircraft Maintenance Engineering
- Pilot Training
To be eligible for the SACAA Bursary, you must be a South African citizen, aged between 18 and 35, have a matric degree or currently studying in matric, and intend to gain admission in any of their selected fields.
8. Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) Bursary
The IDC offers a bursary for undergraduate students who wish to continue their education but lack the necessary funds.
The bursary covers tuition fees, books, accommodation, meals, a laptop, and an allowance. This bursary supports a wide range of fields in Engineering, Science, Commerce and IT, and Law.
9. Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust
The Cyril Ramaphosa Education Trust provides a bursary for financially disadvantaged students seeking higher education.
This bursary offers a CRETB grant for up to five years. It is tailored to each student’s holistic needs.
Unlike traditional bursaries, it does not provide tuition, accommodation, books, stationery, or a personal allowance. Instead, it focuses on ‘paying it forward,’ training students to realize their social responsibility and assist others in need.
10. Thuthuka Bursary
Established in 2005 by the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), the Thuthuka Bursary supports financially unstable students who aim to become chartered accountants.
The bursary provides not only financial support but also ‘wrap-around’ support, including academic, social, and emotional support, work-readiness and life skills training, mentoring and counseling, and access to experienced CA and business leaders as mentors.
To be eligible for Thuthuka Bursary;
- You must be a South African citizen.
- You must have a grade 12 degree or matric (not out from school for more than two years) or be a university student of a CA-related field.
- You must have 60% or more marks in grade 11 in mathematics.
- You must intend to get into a university that Thuthuka bursary supports for BCom Accounting (CA-stream) degree.
- You must have a total and complete income of R350000 or less per year.
- You must appear for National Benchmark Test (NBT).
Conclusion
South African government provides a plethora of bursaries for students across various disciplines. Tertiary education plays a crucial role, particularly for individuals striving to rise above poverty. Applying for a bursary can secure your future and allow you to pursue your studies without the burden of fees and expenses.
Don’t be disheartened if one bursary application is unsuccessful; there are many others to apply for. Seek out universities and colleges that offer scholarships and seize the opportunity to receive a high-quality education in your preferred field.
