As a parent, you want to be able to give your child the best education you can, but often this is not affordable. This article gives you a basic idea of where you can find some bursaries to fund your child’s education.
Fear not, there are means available to help your child.
One route is through bursaries and scholarships. This Bursary Beginners List is not a comprehensive list of bursaries, but rather an introduction to what is available.
For a full list of bursaries and scholarships in South Africa, check out Fundi’s Funding, our scholarship and bursary listing.
So what's the difference between bursaries and scholarships?
Bursaries vary in amounts but there are many government and non-government resources.
Often people use the terms, bursary and scholarship, interchangeably, but essentially the difference is that bursaries are distributed according to a student’s financial needs whereas a scholarship is provided on excellence.
Sometimes donors themselves use the terms interchangeably, adding to the confusion people may experience.
Be prepared to expose your earnings, net worth and get your hands ready with plenty of paperwork.
Below are a few organisations that offer bursaries and scholarships
Corporate Bursaries & Scholarships
Careerwise manage bursary and scholarship programmes. There are also scholarships available for individual merit-based awards.
For more information phone 086 100 7787 or email info@careerwise.co.za
South African Institute of Race Relations
SAIRR have been awarding bursaries to students for the past 36 years. Be sure to apply before the application deadline and submit all the correct details.
For more information phone 011 482 7221 or email info@irr.org.za
Murray & Roberts
Murray & Roberts offers bursaries to top achievers who wish to be part of a world-class organization with a global presence.
Bursaries are available to students currently studying or intending to study towards BSc, B.Eng. or B.Tech. qualifications in the fields of Engineering, Quantity Surveying and Building/Construction Management.
For more information phone 011 456 1144 or email clientservice@murrob.com
Varsity College
Varsity College offers sports and academic bursaries to students who are top athletes. Students who have played in first or second team in their specialised field can apply. Be aware of the minimum requirements.
For more information, you’ll need to complete their Appointment Request form.
Alan H English – Chartered Accountants
Bursaries available for pupils looking to be chartered accountants. Not necessarily top of class individuals but for people with “good people skills who are motivated to be CA’s.”
For more information email marcg@alanhenglish.co.za
South African National Roads Agency
The South African National Roads Agency Limited (SANRAL) is offering full bursaries to candidates who are currently studying civil, electrical, transport or computer engineering at university. Consideration will be given to South African students who are in second, third or fourth year of undergraduate study and those who are currently registered for postgraduate studies.
Interested students must submit a comprehensive CV with certified copies of their matric results, recent academic records, confirmation of registrations and a South African identity document. They’ll also need proof of parents’/guardians’ income and a motivation.
For more information contact Ms. P. Makhubu on 012 426 6000.
Pulp & Papermaking Learnership (Bursary) Nampak Tissue
This learnership will form part of the National Diploma in Chemical Engineering for applicants interested in a technical career.
Applicants will need to have taken Matric Maths and Science, and have an NSC rating of 5 points.
For more information contact Fairmond Mbungela at fairmond.mbungela@za.nampak.com
Pulp & Papermaking Learnership (Bursary) Nampak Tissue
Nelson Mandela University
Grinaker-LTA
Grinaker-LTA offers bursaries in Construction Management, Civil Engineering, Mechanical and Electrical Engineering, Mining Engineering and Quantity Surveying.
For more information contact Shareen Koopman (Mechanical and Electrical) at
skoopman@grinaker-lta.co.za or 011 681 2323
World Sport and Academic Services (WSAS)
International Scholarships, International Study Placements and Bursaries in South Africa available.
For more information contact Chris Muller at cwbmuller@gmail.com or phone 082 333 3193.
Electrical/ Mechanical Engineering
Cato Ridge Electrical offers bursaries for top achieving students interested in electrical engineering and/or mechanical engineering at UKZN in Durban.
For more information contact Paula Wright at caelect@mweb.co.za or phone 031 783 4389/4811.
South African Weather Service
Bursaries at SAWS are available for weather-related studies at the university level.
Applicants should have good matric results in Physical Science and Mathematics (not Maths Literacy).
For more information contact Ms Nomathamsanqa Tabata on 012 367 6028.
FundiConnect 2Cents
A tip from us – apply for funding!
Don’t NOT get an education purely because you can’t afford it.
There are funding opportunities available.
You just need to go out there, get your hands in the nitty-gritty paperwork and apply.
If you are curious about where you can find more funding opportunities, look at this article where you can find information about student loans. Good luck from us and we wish you all the best!
