There are different types of financial aid for studies. Bursaries or scholarships are funding for deserving students, either to encourage them in a specific field or to reward them for achievements in academics, sport or leadership. You don't need to repay a bursary, unless you drop out before you finish your studies, and some bursary donors may require you to work at their company after you've graduated. If you don't get any bursaries, you can take out a student loan. These have to be repaid, with interest, once you complete your studies.
You can apply for loans or bursaries from government, universities, private companies and banks.
Government funding
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) offers financial aid to students who have academic potential to succeed in an institution of higher learning and training but lack who the financial means. Previously, NSFAS funding was in the form of a student loan for university students with a portion of this loan being converted into a non-repayable bursary if outstanding marks were achieved. However, in December 2017, the then South African President announced that all NSFAS grants will be in the form of completely non-payable bursaries for students studying at public universities and TVET colleges from 2018 going forward.
This meant that all South African students from poor and working-class families can study at a public tertiary institution, at no cost. NSFAS is an entity of the South African government and its funding covers for registration fees, accommodation, transport, prescribed learning materials and food.
You qualify for NSFAS if your family earns a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per year or are beneficiaries of state social grant.The NSFAS also administers certain government bursaries, such as the Funza Lushaka Bursary Programme for prospective public school teachers, and the Department of Social Development bursaries for social work students.
University financial aid
Each university has a financial aid office that assists students with loan and bursary applications. This should be your first stop for any financial aid, including university funding, NSFAS loans and external bursaries.
Cape Peninsula University of Technology
- Financial aid: http://www.cput.ac.za/study/funding
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)21 959 6767 (Call centre) For financial aid contacts, see http://www.cput.ac.za/study/funding/undergraduate Central University of Technology, Free State
- Financial aid: http://www.cut.ac.za/fees-bursaries-and-loans/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)51 507 3911 (General enquiries, Bloemfontein campus) +27 (0)57 910 3500 (General enquiries, Welkom campus) For financial aid contacts, see http://www.cut.ac.za/fees-bursaries-and-loans/#contact
Durban University of Technology
- Financial aid:http://www.dut.ac.za/student_portal/bursaries/ and http://www.dut.ac.za/support_services/student_services_and_development/financial_aid/
- Phone numbers: 0860 10 31 94 (Call centre) +27 (0)31 373 2553 (Financial aid, Durban campus) +27 (0)33 845 8890 (Financial aid, Midlands campus)
Mangosuthu University of Technology
- Bursaries: https://www.mut.ac.za/mut-bursaries/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)31 907 7111 (General enquiries) +27 (0)31 907 7462 (Bursaries) +27 (0)31 907 7353 (NSFAS)
- Closing dates for funding applications: See website.
Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University
- Financial aid: http://finaid.nmmu.ac.za/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)41 504 1111 (General enquiries) + 27 (0)41 504 2384 (Admin coordinator)
- Closing dates for funding applications: See bursary booklet.
North West University
Potchefstroom campus:
- Financial aid: http://www.nwu.ac.za/student/bursaries-and-loans
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)18 2991111 / 2222 (General enquiries) +27 (0)18 299 2045 / 299 2046 / 299 2052 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: See website.
Vaal Triangle campus:
- Financial aid: http://www.nwu.ac.za/student/bursaries-and-loans
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)16 910 3111 (General enquiries) +27 (0)16 910 3166 / 910 3134 / 910 3157/ 910 3056 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: See bursary booklet.
Mafikeng campus:
- Financial aid:http://www.nwu.ac.za/student/bursaries-and-loans
- Phone number: +27 (0)18 389 2111 (General enquiries)
- Closing dates for funding applications: First-year students: 28 November
Rhodes University
- Financial aid: http://www.ru.ac.za/registrar/sections/financialaidoffice/undergraduatefinancialaid/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)46 603 8111 (General enquiries) +27 (0)46 603 8248 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: First-year students: No closing date, but funds are limited.
Sol Plaatjie University
- Financial aid: Apply directly on the NSFAS and Fundza Lushaka websites.
- Phone number: +27 (0)53 491 0000 (Switchboard)
Stellenbosch University
- Financial aid: http://www.maties.com/bursaries-and-loans.html
- Phone number: +27 (0)21 808 9111 (Client Services Centre)
Tswane University of Technology
- Bursaries: https://www.tut.ac.za/bursaries-and-loans/notices/notice?NID=3
- Phone numbers: 086 110 2421 (Call centre) For financial aid contacts, see https://www.tut.ac.za/bursaries-and-loans/contact-us
University of Cape Town
- Financial aid: http://www.uct.ac.za/apply/funding/undergraduate/financial/finaid/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)21 650 9111 (Switchboard) +27 (0)21 650 3545 (Financial aid)
University of Fort Hare
- Financial aid: http://www.ufh.ac.za/StudyUFH/Pages/FinancialAssistance.aspx
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)40 602 2011 (General enquiries) +27 (0)43 704 7007 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: Contact university.
University of Johannesburg
- Financial aid: http://www.uj.ac.za/studyatUJ/Student-Finance/Pages/default.aspx
- Phone number: +27 (0)11 559 4555 (General enquiries)
University of KwaZulu-Natal
- Financial aid: http://studentfunding.ukzn.ac.za/Homepage.aspx
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)31 260 8596 (Switchboard) For financial aid contacts, see http://studentfunding.ukzn.ac.za/AboutUs.aspx
University of Limpopo
- Financial aid: http://www.ul.ac.za/index.php?Entity=Financial%20Support
- Phone number: +27 (0)15 268 2405 (Financial aid)
University of Mpumulanga
- Financial aid: Apply directly on the NSFAS and Fundza Lushaka websites.
- Phone number: +27 (0)13 002 0001 (Switchboard) +27 (0)13 002 0052/09 (Financial aid)
University of Pretoria
- Financial aid: http://www.up.ac.za/fees-and-funding
- Phone number: +27 (0)12 420 3111 (Switchboard)
University of South Africa
- Financial aid: http://www.unisa.ac.za/studentfunding
- Phone number: +27 (0)12 441 5460/3 (Financial aid)
University of the Free State
- Financial aid, bursaries and more: https://www.ufs.ac.za/humanities/departments-and-divisions/english-home/general/bursaries
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)51 401 9111 (General enquiries, Bloemfontein campus) +27 (0)58 718 5000 (General enquiries, Qwaqwa campus) +27 (0)51 401 7175 / 9359 / 2103 (Financial aid)
Walter Sisulu University
- Financial aid: http://www.wsu.ac.za/waltersisulu/index.php/getting-financial-support/
- Phone numbers: For contact details, see here: http://www.wsu.ac.za/waltersisulu/index.php/contact-us-wsu/
- Closing dates for funding applications: See website.
University of Venda
- Bursaries and funding: http://www.univen.ac.za/students/study-fees-and-funding/
- Phone number: +27 (0)15 962 8000 (General enquiries)
University of the Western Cape
- Financial aid: https://www.uwc.ac.za/Students/Financial-Matters/Pages/Financial-Aid.aspx
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)21 959 2911 (General enquiries) +27 (0) 21 959 9753 / 2737 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: See website.
University of Witwatersrand (Wits University)
- Financial aid: http://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/fees-and-funding/
- Bursaries: https://www.wits.ac.za/study-at-wits/fees-and-funding/financial-aid-and-scholarships-office/bursary-opportunities-/
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)11 717 1000 (General enquiries) +27 (0)11 717 1081 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: Contact financial aid office.
University of Zululand
- Bursaries: University of Zululand Bursaries
- Phone numbers: +27 (0)35 902 6000 (Switchboard, main campus) +27 (0)35 902 6006 (Switchboard, Richards Bay campus) +27 (0)35 902 6307 (Financial aid)
- Closing dates for funding applications: Contact financial aid office.
Vaal University of Technology
- Financial aid and bursaries: https://www.vut.ac.za/fees-and-bursaries/
- Phone numbers: +27(0)16 950 9000 (General enquiries, Vanderbijl campus) +27(0)11 929 7400 (General enquiries, Ekurhuleni campus) +27(0)17 631 1990 (General enquiries, Secunda campus) +27(0)54 332 3304 (General enquiries, Upington campus)
- Closing dates for funding applications: Contact university.
External bursaries
Many private and state-owned companies offer bursaries in various fields. For updated lists of bursaries available to South African students, visit these websites:
- http://bursaries-southafrica.co.za/list-of-all-bursaries-in-south-africa/
- http://www.bursarysouthafrica.co.za/
- http://www.gostudy.mobi/Bursaries/All/Default.aspx
Student loans
Student loans are offered by all major banks as well as Eduloan, who specialises in funding for education.
Eduloan
- Website: http://sastudy.co.za/entity/eduloan-2/
- Phone number: 0860 55 55 44
ABSA student loans
- Website: https://www.absa.co.za/personal/loans/for-my-studies/explore/
- Phone number: 0860 100 372
- Bursaries: https://bursaries-southafrica.co.za/absa-bursaries/
FNB student loans
- Website:https://www.fnb.co.za/loans/life-start-student-loans.html
- Phone number: 0861 40 40 40
Nebank student loans
- Website: https://www.nedbank.co.za/content/nedbank/desktop/gt/en/personal/loans/student-loan.html
- Phone number: 0860 555 111
Standard Bank student loans
- Website: https://www.standardbank.co.za/southafrica/personal/products-and-services/borrow-for-your-needs/personal-loans/student-loan
- Phone number: 0860 123 000
- Bursaries: https://bursaries-southafrica.co.za/standard-bank-bursary
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