The African Global Skills Academy, with its partner Solarpop, funds something most bursaries will not touch: the fees a student already owes. It is aimed at young South Africans whose results or certificates are being withheld because of debt to their institution, and it accepts any field of study.
About the African Global Skills Academy Bursary
- Pays outstanding tuition fees for the academic year, rather than fees for the year ahead.
- Open to any field of study at an accredited South African higher education institution.
- Paid directly to the institution to clear the debt.
Eligibility requirements
- African, Coloured or Indian South African aged 18 to 35.
- Completed Matric.
- Enrolled at an accredited South African higher education institution with outstanding fees for the academic year.
- Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
How to apply
- Prepare a certified ID and Matric certificate, both certified within the last six months, your academic transcripts, a CV, proof of registration, your institution’s latest financial statement showing the outstanding amount, and a medical certificate if you have a disability.
- Email everything to recruitment@africanglobalacademy.co.za with “Bursary” and the year in the subject line. There is no application form.
- Submit before the closing date. Only shortlisted applicants are contacted.
Closing date
30 November in the last confirmed round. No 2027 date has been announced.
Contact details
- Email: recruitment@africanglobalacademy.co.za
- Website: africanglobalacademy.co.za
Students with fee debt should also look at the Feenix platform, the Canon Collins Thekgo bursary and the Anglo American Platinum tuition support.
FAQs
1. When does the African Global Skills Academy bursary close for 2027? +
The academy has used a 30 November closing date, most recently 30 November 2025. Email the recruitment address from September 2026 to confirm whether a 2027 round is running.
2. What does this bursary actually pay for? +
Outstanding tuition fees for the academic year, rather than fees for the year ahead. It is aimed at students whose results or certificates are being withheld because of debt to their institution.
3. Which fields? +
Any field of study at an accredited South African higher education institution.
4. Who qualifies? +
African, Coloured and Indian South Africans aged 18 to 35 who have completed Matric, are enrolled at an accredited institution and have outstanding fees for the academic year. Students with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
5. How do I apply? +
There is no application form. Email a certified ID and Matric certificate, both certified within the last six months, your academic transcripts, a CV, proof of registration, your institution's latest financial statement and a medical certificate if you have a disability, to recruitment@africanglobalacademy.co.za with 'Bursary' and the year in the subject line.
6. What are the alternatives for student debt? +
The Feenix crowdfunding platform, the Canon Collins Thekgo bursary for humanities graduates with debt under R10 000, and the Anglo American Platinum tuition support scheme.
Update note (checked September 2026): the academy has used a 30 November closing date, most recently 30 November 2025. No 2027 call had been confirmed when we checked. Email the recruitment address from September 2026 to ask whether a round is running. The details below are from the last published call.
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