Bursary
- Covers tuition fees — sometimes accommodation and books too
- No repayment required
- Some funders ask your child to work for them after graduating (called "work-back")
- Apply directly to the funder or through their website
Funding Guidelines
A parent's guide to funding your child's future
What are my child's funding options?
NSFAS (Government Funding)
- Covers tuition, accommodation, living allowance, books and transport
- For households earning R350,000 per year or less
- Learners with disabilities: R600,000 per year or less
- No repayment for households under R350,000 — it is a full bursary, not a loan, provided your child maintains academic progress
- Missing middle (R350,000–R600,000): qualifies for an NSFAS loan instead — partial repayment required, but can be reduced through strong academic results
- Apply at my.nsfas.org.za — applications typically open mid-September each year
- Learn more about NSFAS →
Learnership
- Your child works and studies at the same time
- They earn a monthly stipend (R2,500–R6,000)
- Leads to a recognised NQF qualification — no university fees required
- Run by SETAs (industry training bodies)
- Good option if university is not the right fit
Student Loan
- Covers fees but must be repaid after your child starts working — with interest
- Only consider this if bursaries, NSFAS, and learnerships are not available
- Compare interest rates carefully before signing
- Available from most major banks (Absa, FNB, Nedbank, Standard Bank)
What documents will we need?
Documents checklist — start gathering these now
- Certified copy of your child's ID or birth certificate
- Certified copy of parent/guardian ID
- Proof of household income (payslip, UIF letter, SASSA grant letter, or affidavit if unemployed)
- Latest school report or matric results
- Proof of registration or acceptance letter (if applying after acceptance)
- Motivation letter (for most bursaries — explain why your child deserves funding)
- Municipal account or proof of residence
Tip
Make certified copies early — the Post Office and police stations certify documents for free. Keep at least 5 copies of everything.
How to help your child apply
A step-by-step guide for parents
- Start early — Most bursaries open between May and September. NSFAS typically opens mid-September and closes by mid-November — the window is shorter than most people expect.
- Apply to at least 5 bursaries — Competition is high. The more applications, the better the chances.
- Match funding to their career — Bursaries are often tied to specific fields (engineering, health, teaching). Check that your child's career interests match.
- Read the conditions carefully — Some bursaries require maintaining a certain average. Some require vacation work or a work-back period after graduating.
- Check NSFAS first — If your household earns under R350,000/year, NSFAS should be the first application. It's government-funded and covers everything.
- Keep copies of every application — Save confirmation emails, screenshots of submitted forms, and reference numbers.
- Follow up — If you haven't heard back within 6 weeks of the closing date, contact the funder directly.
Common mistakes to avoid
Mistakes that cost learners funding every year
- Missing the deadline — most bursaries have strict closing dates with no extensions
- Applying for funding that doesn't match your child's field of study
- Submitting uncertified copies of documents
- Writing a generic motivation letter — each application should be personalised
- Only applying to one bursary and hoping for the best
Ready to find funding for your child?
Thandi matches bursaries and learnerships to your child's subjects and career interests.