Many students fail to complete their intended qualifications because of lack of financial resources to pay for studies. This leads to increased number of drop out. Potential talent gets lost along the way which is a huge cost to the economy of South Africa. Despite a number of companies and organisations that offer bursaries, there is not enough funding available for tertiary education. We discuss how to write a bursary motivational letter and we included an example letter at the end.
The government of South Africa make more funds allocation to deserving students who apply for assistance under NSFAS. This amounts to billions of rands each year. Still, many students are remain in a desert and eventually quit studies and look for a job. This leads to lack of development and our labour force remains under-skilled. The burden is passed on to employers who have no choice but spend millions of Rands upskilling labour force.
This article provides a comprehensive guide on how to write a bursary motivational letter to increase your chances to be accepted. The intension is to provide students with insight on all sections that must be included in the letter. We will also discuss each section and why it must be included.
UNDERSTANDING WHAT A BURSARY IS?
A bursary, like we have explained on our other posts, is a financial support or assistance package that is offered by various organisations to students to pursue tertiary qualifications of their choice. It targets financial stressed students who are academically capable to complete their studies.
When awarded a bursary, a students enters into an agreement which consists of terms and conditions of the bursary. Funds are allocated by the bursary provider towards expenses like tuition, accommodation, books and meal allowance. There may be more study related expenses that get taken care of by the provider of the bursary.
BURSARY LETTER INTRODUCTION
The introduction section of a bursary motivational letter sets the context by explaining who you are, what you are studying, and why you are applying for financial assistance. Your introduction must be written such that it captures the committee’s attention and provides a clear and precise purpose for the letter. Keywords that include words like dedication, hard-work and committment must characterise your introduction. These are the traits the selection committee will not afford to ignore. Placing these in the beginning will keep them looking for more from you, so keep them hooked.
“I am [Your Full Name], a [Your Year of Study, e.g., second-year] student in the [Your Qualification, e.g., Bachelor of Environmental Science] at [Your University’s Name]. I am writing this letter to apply for the [Name of Bursary]. I am deeply committed to advancing in my field and making a difference in my family and in South Africa. Getting awarded this bursary will help alleviate financial strain and allow me to pay undivided attention to achieving my career aspirations in [Your Field, e.g., conservation and sustainable development].”
BACKGROUND AND ACADEMIC MOTIVATION
This section allows the student to detail academic background and reasons for choosing the qualification pursued. Getting this section right helps the bursary applicant to establish credibility and demonstrate dedication and long-term commitment to your career choice. Demonstrating how your qualification of choice aligns with your values or career goals is a powerful way to communicate your seriousness and suitability for the bursary.
“My interest in [Your Field, e.g., environmental conservation] started in high school when I volunteered with a local [mention relevant program or club, e.g., environmental cleanup program]. The experience inspired me to pursue further studies and led me to choose [Your University’s Name] for its excellent [mention relevant program or course offerings, e.g., environmental science program]. Since starting my degree, I have maintained an average of [Your Performance Average in percentages, e.g. 70%] and have excelled in subjects like [mention specific courses].”
OUTLINE OF YOUR FINANCIAL NEED AND CHALLENGES
The bursary provider wants to establish your current financial status in relations to your studies. They want to assist students who are in need while showing that they are academically capable. One thing they know is that you are a student and you are unemployed. That is obvious to them.
What they do not know is how you are paying for your studies at the present moment. You must use this section to outline your financial situation and how receiving this bursary will help you complete your studies. You need to be honest and avoid misrepresentation.
What you should not leave out is how the bursary will alleviate financial strain and how will that help you improve your academic performance. Most students who do not have bursaries end up travelling longer distances because they do not have accommodation inside institution’s residence. Having a bursary will solve this problem. This is just an example of details you must not omit in this section. “My household income does not allow me to afford accommodation inside the campus. This result in me having to travel longer distances to and from the main campus. Having this bursary will remove this burden which will afford me more time to do my school work.”
FUTURE GOALS AND CAREER ASPIRATIONS
Here, you must match your career goals with the bursary provider’s mission. What the committee wants to know is how you will use your qualification to make a positive impact on the company’s long term vision. This section is of great importance as it gives the selection committee more insight into your long-term goals and desire to make impact. Always try to demonstrate that you know and understand what the company seeks to achieve over time and link your vision with that.
“Upon completing my studies, I plan to work in [mention specific area, e.g., environmental policy or sustainable energy solutions] and contribute meaningfully to [mention relevant societal goal, e.g., developing sustainable practices in South African industries]. I hope to further specialize in [mention any area, e.g., climate policy], and I am committed to pursuing a Master’s degree. The financial support from this bursary would empower me to reach these goals, and I am enthusiastic about the opportunity to make a meaningful contribution.”
CLOSING AND APPRECIATION REMARKS
This section of your bursary motivational letter is also very crucial as it gives you the opportunity to demonstrate your humanity to the organization. You must show appreciation for the opportunity you are afforded to apply for financial assistance. The fact that someone is reading your letter goes to show that you have been afforded a chance to make your representation. You must be thankful for that!
“Thank you very much for considering my application for the [Bursary Name]. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to apply, and I am committed to making the most of this financial assistance. If selected, I assure you of my dedication to both my studies and to the values upheld by [Bursary Provider’s Organization]. I thank you again for your time and consideration.”
EXAMPLE OF A BURSARY MOTIVATIONAL LETTER
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, Postal Code]
[Email Address]
[Phone Number]
[Date]
[Bursary Provider’s Name]
[Bursary Provider’s Address]
[City, Postal Code]
Dear Bursary Selection Committee,
I am writing this letter to express my sincere interest in applying for the [Name of Bursary] to support my studies in [Your Field of Study] at [University/College Name]. With my strong academic record, dedication to community involvement, and a clear career goal, I am committed to making a meaningful contribution to my field of study. I believe this bursary is key in helping me achieve my career goals and dreams.
From a young age, I have been passionate about [Your Field of Study]. This interest, combined with my academic achievements and hands-on experience through various projects and leadership roles, has given me a solid background and understanding of the industry. I am currently pursuing [Degree/Program Name] and have consistently maintained excellent performance. I have remained committed to hard work and continuous learning.
I am faced with significant financial challenges in financing my studies. My family’s financial situation limits my ability to cover tuition fees and living expenses. I need additional financial support, which is why I am applying for this bursary. Receiving this bursary would remove financial stress and allow me to focus on excelling on my studies to reach my academic and career goals.
Over and above my academic achievements, I am involved in [mention any community service, volunteer work, or extracurricular activities]. These experiences have helped me understand my sense of social responsibility and equipped me with valuable leadership and teamwork skills. I am planning to use my education to make a positive impact in my community and contribute to the growth and development of our society.
I appreciate this opportunity you have afforded me to apply for this bursary. I am grateful for your consideration and am hopeful for the opportunity to make the most of this bursary. I am confident that, if successful in my application, this bursary will empower me to excel academically and ultimately contribute meaningfully to [mention your field/sector or the community].
Thank you very much for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
DOWNLOAD BURSARY MOTIVATIONAL LETTER
We have added an example of a professional bursary motivational letter that you can download to familiarise yourself with the format. This is just an example of how you should write yours and make it more compelling in order to increase your chances.
DOWNLOAD EXAMPLE BURSARY MOTIVATIONAL LETTER