However, as anyone will tell you, tertiary studies are expensive, making student funding assistance necessary. Luckily there are entities and companies that offer bursaries for an LLB degree. Let’s have a look at some of them.
One of the first options that you may find worth considering for funding your studies is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme. The scheme does provide funding assistance for this qualification for students enrolled in public universities.
This is provided, based on you meeting the NSFAS eligibility requirements listed below:
- You must be a South African citizen
- All SASSA grant recipients immediately qualify for funding
- Must have a combined household income which 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.
However, it is worth noting that the bursary scheme does not provide funding assistance for post-graduate degrees such as a Master of Laws (LLM). This emphasizes the scheme’s rule that a student can only be funded for their first qualification.
There are also some prominent law firms that offer LLB bursaries to consider. These bursary opportunities are intended for prospective LLB students who show promise with a strong academic record. These options include the following:
Bowmans Bursary
Bowmans, one of South Africa's leading corporate law firms, provides bursaries to exceptional matriculants intending to study law, as well as high-achieving students already pursuing a law qualification.
The selection process is based on academic merit and financial need. The Bowmans Bursary covers all study-related expenses and is open to South African citizens studying at recognized universities in the country.
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizenship
- Completion of Matric or currently in Matric
- Intention to study or currently studying law
- Minimum overall average of 70%
- Proven financial need
- Passion for law and teamwork
- Preference is given to historically disadvantaged backgrounds
Webber Wentzel
Webber Wentzel, one of South Africa's prominent law firms, offers partial bursaries to LLB students entering their second last year of study. The selection criteria include academic excellence, financial need, alignment with Webber Wentzel's values, and potential to become successful lawyers.
The bursary assists students with study-related expenses for the last two years of their LLB degree. Exceptional students may have the opportunity to participate in the Webber Wentzel Candidate Attorney Programme upon graduation.
Eligibility Requirements
- South African citizenship
- Completion of Matric
- Be enrolled in an LLB degree
- Penultimate year of study in 2022
- Strong academic record (minimum average of 70%)
- Financial need or disadvantaged background
By meeting the eligibility requirements and submitting the necessary documents, aspiring LLB students can apply for these bursaries to ease the financial burden of their legal education.
Remember to carefully review each firm's specific criteria, application procedures, and deadlines to maximize your chances of securing a bursary.
Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund (LPFF) Bursary
The Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund protects the public from loss by theft of trust funds. Its main purpose is to reimburse clients who made use of an attorney and could suffer a monetary loss due to theft which was entrusted to the attorney.
The bursary that they offer comes with the following requirements;
- A BA (Law), B Comm (Law), B Iuris or B Proc degree or a similar qualification or proof of successful completion of the first two years of the revised 4-year LLB curriculum.
- If you are currently in 1st semester of your second year, LPFF can assist with a bursary for your 3rd and 4th year of study.
This bursary can be awarded for a maximum period of two years at a South African University. Funding is allocated towards the recipient's tuition fees. The submit your application you will have to visit the Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund's official website.
The Legal Wise Bursary
LegalWise, a leading legal insurance provider, is offering a bursary program to support and mentor students in pursuing their studies in specific fields relevant to the organisation. The bursary aims to provide financial assistance and mentorship support to selected students who are LegalWise members or children of members.
The bursary provides partial coverage for study-related expenses, including annual registration and tuition fees, up to a maximum of R40,000 per year. It is important to note that outstanding student debt and failed subjects are not covered by the bursary.
The disbursement of the bursary is dependent upon the student achieving satisfactory academic results and submitting their results and accounts to the Bursary Administrator within the specified timeframe.
Bursary recipients are required to participate in paid vacation work at a LegalWise Branch near them for five weeks annually, during the June/July and December holidays.
Upon graduation, bursary recipients are required to complete a period of in-house service. The duration of the service contract is six months of paid service for each year of bursary funding received.
To be eligible for the LegalWise Bursary, applicants must meet specific criteria.
- They must be LegalWise Members or children of Members, with the Member having been fully paid up for a minimum of two years before the application and maintaining membership throughout the bursary period.
- Applicants should have completed Matric and be enrolled full-time in their second year or higher of study in 2023. They must have achieved a minimum overall average of 60% or a "C" symbol in the previous year of study.
- Fluency in English and at least one other South African official language is required, along with qualities such as a positive attitude, determination, commitment, teamwork skills, initiative, and effective communication and interpersonal skills.
Applicants interested in the LegalWise Bursary can download and complete the application form available on the LegalWise website.
