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Bursary Questions and Answers

Applying for a bursary can raise many questions about eligibility, academic results, applications, documents, payments and what happens after you receive funding. The answers below explain the most common bursary questions for students in South Africa. Because every bursary provider has its own eligibility criteria and conditions, always check the specific bursary terms before applying.

WHO CAN APPLY FOR A BURSARY?

Anyone who meets the eligibility requirements of a particular bursary can apply. Bursaries may be available to high school learners, matriculants, students already studying at university or TVET college, or students entering a specific year of study.

Eligibility can include South African citizenship, academic performance, household income, age, field of study, year of study, university or college admission, residence in a particular province or community, and other conditions set by the bursary provider.

There is therefore no single set of requirements that applies to every bursary. Always read the eligibility criteria for the specific bursary before submitting an application.

WHAT MARKS DO YOU NEED TO GET A BURSARY?

The marks required for a bursary depend on the bursary provider and the qualification being funded. Some bursaries require a minimum overall average, while others specify minimum marks for particular subjects such as Mathematics, Physical Sciences or English.

For example, a bursary may require an overall average of 60% or higher, while another may require higher marks in specific subjects. Some bursaries also have different academic requirements for Grade 12 learners and students already at tertiary level.

Do not assume that one percentage applies to all bursaries. Check the current requirements of the bursary you want to apply for.

CAN YOU GET A BURSARY WITHOUT GOOD MARKS?

It is possible to find bursaries with different academic requirements, but most bursaries still have some form of academic criterion. A provider may consider academic results together with financial need, community involvement, leadership, the applicant’s chosen field of study or other selection criteria.

A student who does not meet the academic requirements of one bursary may still qualify for another bursary with different criteria. The important step is to compare the requirements of individual bursaries rather than assuming that all bursaries require the same marks.

CAN YOU APPLY FOR A BURSARY AFTER STARTING UNIVERSITY?

Yes. Some bursaries accept students who are already studying at university, while others are only available to Grade 12 learners or first-time university entrants.

For students already at university, the bursary may require academic results or a transcript from the most recent academic year. Some providers also specify the year of study that applicants must be entering.

For example, the PIC bursary accepts eligible students who are already studying towards their first qualification at undergraduate level, subject to its stated requirements.

CAN YOU APPLY FOR MORE THAN ONE BURSARY?

Yes. You can generally submit applications to multiple bursary providers if you meet their individual requirements.

Applying for several bursaries can increase the number of funding opportunities available to you. However, receiving more than one bursary is a different matter because bursary providers may have rules about other sources of funding.

Read the terms of each bursary carefully and disclose other funding when the application requires you to do so.

CAN YOU HAVE TWO BURSARIES AT THE SAME TIME?

Not necessarily. Whether you can hold two bursaries at the same time depends on the conditions imposed by the funding providers.

Some bursaries may not allow students to receive other funding for the same costs, while others may permit additional funding under specific circumstances. You should therefore check the terms and conditions of both bursaries before accepting a second award.

If you receive more than one bursary, do not assume that you can keep both without notifying the relevant providers. Failure to disclose other funding where required could affect your funding.

DO YOU HAVE TO PAY A BURSARY BACK?

A bursary is generally intended to provide financial support for education rather than operate like a student loan. However, some bursaries include conditions under which the funding may have to be repaid.

Repayment conditions can apply if a student breaks the terms of the bursary agreement, for example by discontinuing their studies or failing to meet specified contractual obligations. Some bursaries may also include work-back requirements.

Before accepting a bursary, read the agreement carefully so that you understand whether any circumstances could result in repayment.

DO BURSARIES REQUIRE YOU TO WORK FOR THE COMPANY AFTER GRADUATION?

Some bursaries have a work-back or employment obligation, but not all bursaries do.

A bursary offered by a company, government department or other organisation may require the recipient to work for the sponsor after completing the qualification. The length and conditions of the obligation depend on the bursary agreement.

Other bursaries do not require recipients to work for the organisation after graduation. The terms of the individual bursary should therefore be checked before accepting the award.

WHAT HAPPENS IF YOU DO NOT GET A BURSARY?

Not receiving one bursary does not mean that you have no options for funding your studies. You can continue looking for other bursaries and investigate other forms of financial assistance.

Depending on your circumstances, alternatives may include NSFAS, student loans, university financial aid, scholarships, government funding or other education funding programmes.

You should also check whether the bursary provider allows unsuccessful applicants to apply again in a future funding cycle.

WHEN SHOULD YOU APPLY FOR A BURSARY?

You should apply as early as possible once the bursary application opens and you have confirmed that you meet the requirements.

Bursary closing dates vary considerably. Some applications open many months before the start of the academic year, while others open later or have different application cycles for current students.

Do not wait until the final day if you already have the required information and documents. Some bursaries may close on a stated deadline, while others may stop accepting applications earlier if the available application process or funding allocation changes.

WHAT DOCUMENTS DO YOU NEED TO APPLY FOR A BURSARY?

The documents required depend on the bursary. Commonly requested documents include:

  • A South African identity document or other accepted proof of identity
  • Matric or school results
  • Recent academic results or a tertiary academic transcript for current students
  • Proof of acceptance or registration at a university or college
  • Proof of household income or financial need where required
  • Proof of residence where required
  • Documents relating to a parent, guardian or household member where requested
  • Proof of disability where applicable

Some bursaries require additional documents, while others may not require every document listed above. Always use the bursary provider’s current document checklist.

HOW DO YOU APPLY FOR A BURSARY?

The application process depends on the bursary provider. Most applications require you to complete an online application form or submit an application form together with supporting documents.

Before applying, check the eligibility requirements, closing date, required documents and application instructions. Complete the application accurately and submit all required supporting documents in the format requested.

Use the official application method provided by the bursary sponsor whenever possible. Be cautious of anyone asking you to pay a fee to submit a bursary application.

CAN YOU APPLY FOR A BURSARY IF YOU ARE ALREADY AT UNIVERSITY?

Yes. Many bursaries are available to students who are already enrolled at university, although some are restricted to Grade 12 learners or first-year students.

For current university students, the bursary provider may require a recent academic transcript, proof of registration and a minimum academic average. The required year of study may also be specified.

Check whether the bursary is intended for first-year students, continuing students, students entering a particular year of study, or all eligible undergraduate students.

CAN YOU GET A BURSARY AND NSFAS AT THE SAME TIME?

You should not assume that you can receive full funding from both NSFAS and another bursary at the same time. The rules depend on the type of funding and the conditions imposed by the relevant funding providers.

NSFAS has its own eligibility and funding rules, while individual bursary providers may also require applicants to disclose other financial assistance. If you receive another bursary after applying for or receiving NSFAS funding, check the conditions of both funding arrangements and disclose the additional funding where required.

The important point is to check the current rules rather than assuming that having two sources of funding is automatically permitted or prohibited.

HOW OFTEN IS A BURSARY PAID?

Bursaries are not all paid on the same schedule. The payment frequency depends on the bursary provider, the type of funding and what the bursary covers.

Some bursaries provide a monthly allowance for expenses such as food, transport or other living costs. Tuition and other study-related costs may instead be paid directly to the university or other institution. Other bursaries may provide certain allowances according to a different schedule, such as per semester or according to the provider’s payment arrangements.

Students should therefore not assume that a bursary will result in one monthly payment covering all expenses. Check the bursary agreement or contact the funding provider to confirm what will be paid, who will receive the payment and when payments will be made.

Payment schedules can also be affected by verification, registration, institutional processes or administrative delays. For example, government reporting in 2026 documented delays affecting bursary allowances and stipends for some TETA beneficiaries, showing why students should check the payment arrangements for their specific bursary rather than relying on a general payment schedule.

KEY THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN APPLYING FOR A BURSARY

  • Every bursary has its own eligibility requirements.
  • Academic requirements can differ between bursaries and fields of study.
  • You can apply for multiple bursaries, but receiving multiple awards may be subject to funding conditions.
  • Some bursaries have repayment or work-back conditions.
  • Apply before the stated closing date and follow the official application instructions.
  • Keep copies of your application and supporting documents.
  • Check how and when allowances and other funding will be paid before accepting a bursary.
  • Never assume that information from a previous application cycle still applies to the current intake.

For current opportunities, see our Bursaries Open for 2027 directory and browse bursaries by field of study, including Engineering Bursaries, Medicine Bursaries, Accounting Bursaries and Government Bursaries.

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This bursary information was last updated in September 2026.

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