University can be expensive. Between tuition, accommodation, transport, food and study materials, the total cost of a three-year degree in South Africa can easily run into hundreds of thousands of rands — and that is before the first textbook has been bought. For many families this is simply out of reach without help, which is why bursaries and funding schemes are some of the most important information any learner and parent can have.
A bursary is different from a student loan in one crucial way: in most cases you do not have to pay it back. Some bursaries do carry a work-back obligation (you work for the funder for a period after graduating), which is still a far better deal than a decade of loan repayments. Below are the funding programmes South African students should know about, roughly in order of how many students they fund.
1. NSFAS — the biggest funder in the country
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme funds more South African students than every other bursary combined. It covers full tuition, approved accommodation, transport, learning materials and living allowances for students from households with a combined annual income of up to R350 000, and it also funds TVET college students. Applications open well before the academic year begins — in recent cycles they have opened in the second half of the year — and close months before registration. Late applications are rarely considered, so treat the NSFAS deadline as a hard date and apply through the official NSFAS website only.
2. ISFAP — for the 'missing middle'
The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme targets students whose families earn too much to qualify for NSFAS but too little to afford university — roughly R350 000 to R600 000 per year. ISFAP funds scarce-skills programmes such as medicine, engineering and accounting at partner universities, and its wrap-around support includes tutoring and mentorship, not just money. If your household falls in that income band, check whether your chosen qualification is on ISFAP's funded list.
3. Funza Lushaka — for future teachers
The Department of Basic Education's Funza Lushaka bursary funds teaching qualifications: the BEd and the Postgraduate Certificate in Education. It covers tuition, accommodation, living and learning allowances. In exchange, you commit to teaching in a public school for the same number of years you were funded — a fair trade that also guarantees you a job-relevant placement after graduating. Priority goes to priority subject areas, so check which subjects are funded for the year you apply.
4. Thuthuka — for future chartered accountants
Funded through SAICA, the Thuthuka Bursary Fund produces chartered accountants. It covers tuition, accommodation, books and living costs from second year onward (first year is typically funded via NSFAS for eligible students), along with academic and professional support. The programme specifically develops black African and coloured CAs in line with the profession's transformation goals, and selection weighs academic performance in Mathematics strongly.
5–10. Corporate bursaries worth knowing
| Bursary | Typical focus areas | Where to apply |
|---|---|---|
| Sasol | Engineering, science and technology degrees | Sasol bursaries page on their careers site |
| Exxaro | Engineering, mining-related and data science studies | Exxaro bursary portal |
| Transnet | Engineering and logistics-related fields | Transnet careers and bursary portal |
| Anglo American | Mining engineering, geology and related technical fields | Anglo American bursaries page |
| Vodacom | IT, computer science and engineering | Vodacom bursary programme page |
| Shoprite | Retail, business, accounting and IT studies | Shoprite bursaries page |
Corporate bursaries are usually merit-based rather than means-tested, so strong marks matter more than family income. Many of them include vacation work and a job offer at the end, which removes the stress of job hunting in your final year. Beyond these names, banks, insurers, metros, provincial governments and individual university faculties all run merit bursaries — once you are registered at a university, ask its financial aid office about internal awards, because many go unclaimed every year.
How to submit a strong bursary application
- Start early. Most corporate bursaries for the next academic year close between April and August — before your final results even exist. Applications use Grade 11 marks.
- Get your documents in order before applications open: certified ID, proof of household income, latest results, and sometimes proof of residence or an acceptance letter.
- Write a real motivation. Funders read hundreds of forms — a specific, honest paragraph about why you chose your field beats generic enthusiasm every time.
- Apply widely. There is no limit on how many bursaries you may apply for, and the strongest applicants typically apply to five or more.
- Follow instructions exactly. Applications missing a single required document are often disqualified without being read.
- Keep certified copies valid. Certified documents are generally only accepted within a few months of certification, so re-certify before each cycle.
Please note: Bursary amounts, income thresholds, funded programmes and deadlines change every year. Treat this article as a map of the landscape, then confirm the current details on each funder's official website before you apply — and never pay anyone to submit a bursary application on your behalf.
Studo Guide students can browse a curated bursary list with deadlines inside their free account, and our AI coach can answer questions about specific funding programmes while you research. Start your free account today and make funding part of your plan, not a barrier.