This is in part why the government and private entities also provide bursary opportunities to lower the barriers to entry into higher education. However, you must meet the following requirements to qualify for one.
When it comes to household income inequality, South Africa is ranked among the highest according to the world bank. One of the major consequences of this is that much of the country’s young population cannot afford to fund their tertiary studies.
As part of its effort to prevent the situation from worsening, the government provides bursaries to financially vulnerable prospective students. Thus, you need to meet the following criteria when you are considering applying for a bursary.
Location, age, financial standing and academic achievement are a few examples of criteria that can be included. When you're applying for a bursary, double-check that your application satisfies all conditions!
As a government-funded bursary scheme, to be eligible for Nsfas funding, an applicant must be a South African citizen and come from a family with a combined annual household income of not more than R350 000 per annum.
In the case of students with a disability, the combined annual household income may not exceed R600 000 per annum. Additionally, applicants who are Sassa beneficiaries automatically qualify for funding from Nsfas.
In the case of the Funza Lushaka Bursary, students are required to be South African citizens who are not older than 30 years, academically gifted, be a grade 12 learner when applying as well unemployed and have been accepted into a either BEd or PGCE qualification at an accredited public University.
For the TETA Bursary which is accessible for a range of undergraduate and graduates degrees in the transportation sector and related fields, Candidates must be younger than 35 and earn no more than R350,000 annually in their entire household.
More information about bursary schemes provided by the government and how to apply for them is available on the Bursaries Portal.
