Education is the key to unlocking a world of opportunities, and there's no better place to start your journey than Nelson Mandela University (NMU). But while a university education is an investment in your future, it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are a variety of bursaries available to help fund your studies at NMU.
A bursary is a form of financial assistance that helps students pay for their education. Unlike loans, bursaries do not have to be repaid. Instead, bursaries are awarded based on financial need, academic performance, and other criteria, such as race, gender, and disabilities.
Bursaries are a great way to get financial assistance for your education, as they can help cover a range of expenses, including tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, and living expenses. They can also help ease the financial burden on you and your family, allowing you to focus on your studies and achieve your academic goals.
NMU offers a variety of bursaries, including academic bursaries, need-based bursaries, and bursaries for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Some of the most popular bursaries at NMU include:
National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
NSFAS is a government entity under the Department of Higher Education and Training established to provide financial support to disadvantaged students who wish to further their studies at public universities or TVET colleges.
This bursary is open to South African citizens who come from low-income families and have been accepted to study at NMU as well as all other public universities throughout the country. Candidates who qualify include the following.
- All South African citizens
- All SASSA grant recipients qualify for funding
- Applicants whose combined household income is not more than R350 000 per annum
- A person with a disability: Combined household income must not be more than R600 000 per annum
- Students who started studying before 2018 and whose household income is not more than R122 000 per annum.
NMMU students automatically qualify for merit bursaries at the end of each academic year of their undergraduate studies. These awards are based on the examination results of the full academic year.
Qualifying students are notified before registration in the following year of study. No application is required, as students are identified for these awards, using the following criteria, i.e. Students must have:
- Passed all modules registered for the first time around;
- Been registered for a minimum relative course weight of at least .800 (or 96 credits);
- Have attained a weighted average mark of at least 70%
Candidates can visit the university's official website for an explanation of how to calculate their marks.
The NMMU Sports Bureau offers sports bursaries of varying amounts to sports performers who have demonstrated the ability to play sports at a high level of competition. Sports bursaries are awarded to students by the Sports Bureau. Application forms are available from their office.
This bursary is among those that are offered by sponsors to NMU students on an annual basis. The bursaries are awarded each year and cover the cost of an all-expense-paid, three-week educational tour of England and Scotland. This bursary aims to:
- Broaden the views of young South Africans
- Effect greater understanding and cooperation among those with various language and cultural backgrounds
- Enable exceptional South African students as well as junior lecturers who show exceptional leadership qualities and a strong service ethic,
- Foster enterprise, commitment and effective participation in a common future
- And to promote South African unity.
The following conditions apply:
- Candidates must be students of not less than two years standing or members of the staff of junior lecturer status
- Be of South African nationality;
- Be aged 25 or younger at the start of the tour;
- Have a sound academic record
- Must have been involved in leadership roles within the university, schools and/or community; Applications will be subjected to a selection process.
Bursaries are an excellent way to finance your education at NMU and achieve your academic goals. By taking advantage of these opportunities, you can focus on your studies and build a bright future for yourself.
So, don't let financial constraints hold you back – start your bursary search today and take the first step towards your future success.
