Bursaries That Will Pay For Your Durban University Of Technology Courses

The Durban University of Technology (DUT) is a multi-campus university situated in the province of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Initially known as the Durban Institute of Technology, the institution has five campuses located in Durban, and two in Pietermaritzburg.

Pursuing tertiary education does not come cheap, but thankfully, there are various sources of financial aid students can apply for and make use of, such as bursaries and scholarships. 

Here are a few bursaries and/or scholarships to consider if you're searching for tertiary education funding as a DUT student: 

DUT's Financial Aid Unit

The core business of DUT's Financial Aid Unit is to administer bursaries that are pledged by Donors to financially needy and academically deserving students, including NSFAS Bursaries.

The institution's Guide for Financial Aid is as follows:

1. Financial Aid is granted to full-time registered students only.
2. Students must be South African citizens.
3. Allocation of funds is based on financial need and/or academic merit.
4. Financial Aid is granted as per the conditions stipulated by donors/sponsors and DUT.
5. Funds allocated to students are credited/paid directly to the student’s fee account.
6. Donors are entitled to a full and detailed account of the administration of their monies.

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government funding scheme that provides financial aid for students that come from low-income backgrounds, and that wish to begin or continue studying at a tertiary institution. 

Durban University of Technology is one of the tertiary institutions that NSFAS covers, along with the other 25 public universities in South Africa.

To qualify for NSFAS, take not of the following eligibility requirements:

1. Must be a South African citizen
2. Applicants must have a combined household income of not more than R350 000 per annum
3. If the applicant is a person with a disability, their combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum

All SASSA grant recipients can qualify for funding from NSFAS. NSFAS funds students for the entire duration of their degree or course.

Undergraduate Scholarship

This scholarship is for new students entering the university (First Academic Period).

This award is made to first year full-time South African students who have obtained excellent results in the National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams in the previous year, which takes the form of a tuition fee remission as follows:

1. A New student who has obtained a National Senior Certificate (matric certificate) with an aggregate of 80% or higher shall qualify for a 100% remission of tuition fees for the first year of registration.
2. A New student who has obtained a National Senior Certificate with an aggregate of between 70% – 79% shall qualify for a 50% remission of tuition fees for the first year of registration. 

Vice-Chancellor's Award

1. This is awarded to new students entering the university, and who have achieve good results in the NSC exam, despite their personal circumstances.
2. The chosen students will receive a remission of their first-year tuition fees. 

Merit Award for Students Who Receive Other Bursaries or Scholarships

1. This is awarded to students who meet the criteria for a DUT scholarship award.
2. Second-year/late semester students with an average of 75% and above, and first-year students with an NSC average of 70-79%, will receive a R500 textbook voucher.
3. Second-year/late semester students with an average of 75% and above, and first year/ late semester students with an average of 80% and above in their NSC exams will receive an R800 textbook voucher.

Student Loans

Many South African banks offer loans to students looking to fund their studies.