Undergraduate study is an important educational stage in most students’ lives. It is a higher education path that offers foundational knowledge in a field and can improve job opportunities.
However, the financial strain of higher education makes it difficult for many students to enrol for university. To help make higher education accessible to all levels of society, several bursaries for undergraduate students are available in South Africa. Bursaries are monetary awards that are offered to deserving students from underprivileged communities to offer them a chance to gain higher education and improve their standard of living.
In this article, we will cover available bursaries, eligibility criteria, and how to apply to online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate programmes.
Table of Contents
What are Bursaries for Undergraduate Studies?
Bursaries are a type of financial aid rewarded to academically gifted students from underprivileged backgrounds to help cover the cost of undergraduate study. In addition to tuition, they can help cover the costs related to study materials, accommodation, travel, and personal expenses.
Various government bursaries are available in South Africa, and one of the most well-known is the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS). Additionally, many corporations in South Africa also offer bursaries.
Some bursaries are open to all candidates, while others can be limited to a field of study or residents of a particular city, municipality, or provincial area. Many offer offline and online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies.
When students are accepted for a bursary, they must maintain a certain academic standing for the duration of their studies to continue receiving the bursary.
What is the Eligibility Criteria for 2025 Undergraduate Bursaries?
In South Africa, bursaries are a popular option for financial aid since the bursary amount does not need to be repaid. They allow students a chance to complete higher education without accumulating student debt.
While each bursary can have different eligibility requirements, given below are some that are common to most offline and online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies
- Must be a South African citizen or permanent resident
- Should have passed the matric exams or must be appearing for the matric exams
- Must demonstrate a strong academic record
- Must be currently studying or have been accepted at a recognised institute
- Should be able to prove financial need
Some documents that students can be required to submit for bursary applications are:
- A passport photo of the applicant
- Certified copy of the national ID
- Proof of address
- Certified proof of academic results
- Certified copy of the matric certificate (if completed)
- Certified copy of the complete academic transcript if enroled in university
- Letter of acceptance to study for an undergraduate programme
- Employment record or letter of recommendation (if applicable)
What are the Top Bursary Providers in South Africa for 2025?
In South Africa, students can apply for government and private bursaries. These bursaries are released annually and help to fund education in various fields. While most government bursaries require students to be enroled in public universities or TVET colleges, private bursaries typically do not have these conditions.
Corporate bursaries might include additional requirements for eligibility, such as specific fields of study or agreeing to join the corporation after completing the undergraduate programme.
These are some agencies and corporations offering online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies.
Government Bursaries and Funding Schemes
- NSFAS
- City of Johannesburg Bursary
- Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursary
- Eastern Cape Department of Education (ECDOE) Bursary
- Gauteng Department of Health Bursary
- Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality Bursary
Corporate Bursaries for Undergraduate Students
- Siemens Bursary
- BASF South Africa Trust Bursary
- Cape Gate Erwin Robert Balde Bursary
- Exxaro Bursary
- Milkor Bursary
How to Apply for Undergraduate Bursaries Online?
To be eligible, students need to submit the applications along with the required documents for bursary applications before the deadline. Most providers prefer students to submit online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate admissions. Online applications make it easier for the student and the bursary provider to track progress and request any additional documents or additional information if required.
These are the steps students can follow when applying for undergraduate bursaries in South Africa.
1. Research Available Bursaries
The first step is to research the bursary options available from various corporations, government departments, and agencies in South Africa. The complete list of bursaries is available on the official South African government website.
2. Check Eligibility
The next step is to check the eligibility criteria for the shortlisted bursaries. This can include residency, academic qualification, field of study, and household income.
3. Collect Documents
Students should prepare all the required documents in advance to make it easier to submit online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies.
4. Fill out the Application
This is a critical step because any mistake or incorrect information on the application can lead to the bursary being rejected. Students should double-check all the information and attach all the required documents before submitting.
5. Submit the Application
Once all the details and documents have been verified, students must submit the application before the deadline to be considered for the bursary. Students should receive an automated acknowledgement when their online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate study are submitted successfully.
What are the Important Deadlines for 2025 Undergraduate Bursary Applications?
To be eligible for a bursary, students must apply before the deadline. When students complete the 2025 bursary application process online, it ensures there is no chance of the application being misplaced. It also offers students more time to go over the details and allows them to keep track of their application progress.
While students must complete the application correctly and attach all the required documents, the deadline is the most important element of the online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate programmes.
Most bursary application deadlines in South Africa typically fall between July to November for the following academic year.
These are open bursaries still accepting applications for the 2025 academic year.
| GOVERNMENT BURSARIES | |
| Name of the Bursary | Application Deadline |
| NSFAS | 15 December 2024 |
| City of Johannesburg Bursary | 4 November 2024 |
| Department of Sport, Arts and Culture (DSAC) Bursary | 31 January 2025 |
| CORPORATE BURSARIES | |
| Name of the Bursary | Application Deadline |
| Siemens Bursary | 31 January 2025 |
| BASF South Africa Trust Bursary | 10 January 2025 |
| Cape Gate Erwin Robert Balde Bursary | 31 January 2025 |
| VBKOM Bursary | 12 January 2025 |
What are the Tips for a Successful Online Bursary Application?
Many students rely on the bursary amount to help meet the deadline. It is important for students to keep track of bursary opening and closing dates to avoid missing the deadline. This will also give them ample time to complete the application and arrange all the required documents.
These tips can help students complete the online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate programmes.
- Start Early: Since most online applications can be saved, students can take their time and fill it out over a few days. If they start early, it gives them enough time to complete the application and review for errors before submitting.
- Personalise: If the bursary application requires a motivation letter or a statement of purpose, students should craft it in a manner that highlights their achievements and aligns their goals with the knowledge offered by the undergraduate programme.
- Stay organised: Students should keep a list of bursaries they will be applying for, including their deadlines. It should also include a checklist so students do not miss out on details.
- Provide accurate details: The bursary application should be filled out correctly with updated information. If the student is unable to provide verification, the application may be rejected.
What are the Benefits of Applying for Bursaries Online?
Online bursary applications help streamline the process and make it easier for students and agencies to keep track of applications. It also makes it possible for candidates to apply for the bursary irrespective of geographical location and ensures that the application will be received instantaneously.
Students who choose to complete the 2025 bursary application process online might have access to more options. Some bursaries might have shifted their application process to completely online and do not consider offline applications.
Since online platforms also track application progress, they can alert candidates if a document has not been uploaded. It also helps to minimise the need for paperwork since digital scans can be uploaded for all the online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies.
Below are some benefits of applying for bursaries online.
- Access to multiple bursaries
- Streamlined application process
- Convenience
- Application updates
- Sustainable
- Online support
Conclusion
Bursaries help to bring equality to higher education and make it possible for students from lower-income households to pursue it. To be considered for the online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies, students must meet the eligibility criteria and submit all the required documents.
In South Africa, bursaries are offered by various government agencies and corporations. Each bursary requires students to fill out an independent application that can be accessed from the website. Once students are selected, they have to agree and meet all the terms of the bursary to continue receiving funding.
Check out Regenesys for various accredited undergraduate programmes across various fields of study.
Online Bursary Applications for 2025 Undergraduate Studies in South Africa – FAQs
What are bursaries for undergraduate studies?
Bursaries are financial aid awarded to academically gifted students, often from underprivileged backgrounds. It helps them cover the cost of their undergraduate education, including study materials, accommodation, travel, and other personal expenses.
What are the bursary eligibility criteria for 2025?
The typical eligibility criteria for bursaries in South Africa include South African citizenship or residency, strong academic record, financial need, and acceptance into an accepted undergraduate programme.
How to apply for bursaries online?
Students can apply to online bursary applications for 2025 undergraduate studies by researching available bursaries, checking eligibility, and applying on the official website. A complete list of bursaries is available on the official South African government website.
What are the required documents for bursary applications?
Each bursary requires candidates to submit a different list of documents. Some common documents are photographs, proof of address, proof of income, and academic results.
What are the bursary application deadlines for 2025?
Most online bursary applications for the 2025 undergraduate academic year were between July to November 2024. However, some bursaries, such as NSFAS and Siemens bursary are open until later.
What are the benefits of online bursary applications?
Online bursary applications offer convenience, allow candidates to track progress, and offer access to multiple bursaries.
