A scholarship is a form of financial assistance usually provided to learners who are academically or athletically gifted to pay for their school fees. Several organisations provide this type of financial assistance to deserving high school students in South Africa.
The best thing about scholarships is that the money does not have to be paid back. However, depending on the scholarship, learners will need to meet specific eligibility criteria to be awarded a scholarship.
Here Are Scholarships For High School Fees
Investec High School Bursary Programme
Investec is an international banking and wealth management group which provides scholarships to learners attending township and rural schools, who show good academic potential, particularly in the fields of Maths and Science, to attend top-performing high schools.
Only South African learners are eligible to apply for the Investec High School Bursary Programme, which only funds learners who do pure mathematics between Grades 10 and 12.
Applications for the 2023 academic year are closed, while applications for 2024 will open on 1 April 2023. Email CSIHighSchoolBursary [at] investec.co.za (CSIHighSchoolBursary[at]investec[dot]co[dot]za) for an Investec High School Bursary Programme application form.
Students For A Better Future (SBF)
The Students For A Better Future (SBF) scholarship pays a learner's full tuition fees.
Learners who are awarded the SBF scholarship will also receive allowances for school uniforms, books, stationery, sports equipment and school excursions. SBF will also contribute to transport costs and place learners in boarding houses at certain schools.
Learners must apply for the SBF scholarship when they are in Grade 6 and have a minimum of 70% for mathematics and 70% for English. Applications for the 2024 academic year are closed.
African Scholars Fund
The African Scholars Fund funds learners who are under-resourced in schools located in the Western Cape, Eastern Cape and Northern Cape.
Learners must have an average mark of 50% or above and be 21 years or younger in their matric year to qualify for the scholarship. Their school fees must not exceed R4,500 per year. The learner's total monthly household income must not exceed R10,000.
Application forms for the African Scholars Fund can be downloaded online.
SANRAL High School Scholarship
The South African National Roads Agency (SANRAL) provides scholarships to high school learners who achieved a 60% average for all their school subjects. Only South African citizens can apply for the SANRAL high school scholarship. They must also be registered at an endorsed South African school.
SANRAL will subject applicants to a means test which will determine the amount of financial assistance they require. Parents of learners may need to make contributions to their child's education depending on the outcome of the means test.
Application forms for the SANRAL Scholarship can be downloaded online.
Allan Gray Orbis Foundation
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation provides scholarships to learners who achieved academic excellence in primary school. These learners must have obtained a 70% average for their school subjects.
Learners must apply for the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation scholarship when they are in Grade 6 Applications for the 2024 academic year are closed.
The foundation will put scholarship applicants through an extensive application process including written examinations and interviews. Information about the scholarship can be found on the Allan Gray Orbis Foundation website.
