YOUR BURSARY GUIDE

THE end of a school career is a proud moment for parents and their kids. But for those who want to study further, the dream usually comes with a steep price tag.

Tuition fees, accommodation, text books–they all add up, which can be a problem for cash-strapped families.

Fortunately there are options to lighten the financial load, especially if those final school marks are excellent. Many companies and government institutions offer bursaries to those who’ve worked hard and achieved good grades.

A bursary is a way to help students fund their education, and bursary programmes provide funds for students to complete their studies.

Some are full scholarships, which cover all the expenses of studying and there is no payback required.

With others, “payback” comes in the form of working for the organisation for a fixed period. This works out well for many graduates as they’re paid a salary during this time and get valuable work experience.

In South Africa, many bursary providers give preference to disadvantaged applicants and young people from rural areas.

You need to provide proof of your parents’ income to prove they can’t afford to pay for your studies.

You also need to show you have good grades, especially in subjects related to the field you want to study.

Most bursaries on offer in SA are only for South African citizens who are over 18, who have completed matric or are in their matric year at school and who have already been accepted to study at arecognised tertiary institution.

Bursaries aren’t limited to students at universities – they are also available for students at universities of technology (technikons), TVET colleges and private tertiary institutions.

It’s important to read the fine print when applying. Many bursaries cover only a single year of study, so you have to apply for funds again for your second and subsequent years of studying.

And not all bursaries cover all costs, such as registration, tuition, textbooks, stationery, laptops, accommodation, meals, transport and an allowance. Some are available only in the region in which the bursary provider is located, such as provincial government departments, and some may require that you be registered at a particular university.

Many will require students to work during their holidays or to attend programmes run by the organisation, such as leadership courses. These conditions are usually beneficial to you, however, because you either get valuable work experience or more learning.

HOW TO APPLY

Most bursary providers will require you to fill out an application that’s downloadable from their website or available from their office. Pay careful attention to the