Private colleges serve as an attractive alternative for students who may not want to attend public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
There are more than 300 registered private colleges in South Africa which demonstrate the demand for alternatives to public higher education institutions.
Private colleges play a crucial role in the country and often offer courses that public institutions don't. Courses like sound engineering, fashion, sports and fitness, movie making and lots of other specialised courses are offered at private institutions in South Africa.
Courses at private colleges can cost more than they do at public institutions. This is because they do not receive government subsidies and potential shortfalls may need to recuperate from the fees students pay.
Students attending private colleges are not eligible to receive bursaries from the National Students Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas). However, there are alternative bursaries available to students at private institutions.
The ADvTECH Student Teacher Bursary offers third and fourth-year teaching students the opportunity to enrol in their student teacher bursary program at the Trinity House Heritage Hill Preparatory (in Centurion, Gauteng) or the Trinity House Heritage Hill Pre-Primary (in Centurion, Gauteng) or the Trinity House Preparatory Little Falls (in Roodepoort, Gauteng)
Students must be studying towards a teaching qualification at a recognised institution and specialising in one of the following areas of learning. African Languages First Additional Language, Early Childhood Development, Foundation Phase, Mathematics or Science.
The Transport Education Training Authority (TETA) offers bursaries to students in several disciplines related to the transport sector in South Africa. Students must attend a registered tertiary education institution.
Khulisa Academy Bursary is available to students enrolled in their High-Performance Computing (HPC) programme. The Cape BOD Bursary Foundation will be offering financial assistance to students in the 2023 academic year.
The Boston City Campus bursary programme aims to increase the amount of black Chartered Accountants in South Africa
Red and Yellow Creative School of Business is aiming to ensure some of its full-time students receive bursaries. Visit the Red and Yellow Creative School of Business website’s bursary page to find out more.
Students should also consider a Fundi loan. Fundi regards themselves as “South Africa’s leading Education Finance specialist”, offering study loans for both public and private college students, including those wanting to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
The loans do not only cover tuition, but a number of other necessities, such as offering device loans and more. Accordingly, a student’s Fundi loan repayments may be deducted from their working salary or through debit orders.
While bursaries for private colleges are hard to find, there may be some available. A useful tip is to enquire about available bursaries at the private college you are enrolled at. The college may know where you can find bursaries.
Information on bursaries for both public and private institutions including their qualifying criteria, closing date and what they cover can be found on The Bursaries Portal.
