Key facts
- Status
- Check with the provider
- Provider
- Canon Collins Thekgo
- Field of study
- Drama and Theatre, Film Production, Performing Arts
- Study level
- Undergraduate, Postgraduate
- Academic year
- 2027
- Last checked
- September 2026
The bursary runs on an April cycle, closing on 26 April at 17:00 South African time.
VerifiedThousands of South African graduates finish their degrees and never receive them, because the university withholds the certificate until the last of the fees is paid. The Canon Collins Thekgo bursary exists for exactly that situation: it pays off small amounts of outstanding university debt so humanities graduates can collect their qualifications and start working.
About the Thekgo Bursary
- Value: up to R10 000 per bursary, paid directly to the university.
- Purpose: to clear outstanding institutional debt so that a withheld degree certificate or academic record can be released.
- A small number of bursaries are awarded each round, and recent rounds have targeted specific provinces.
Thekgo Bursary eligibility requirements
- A national of, or a person with refugee status in, any African country.
- Completed an undergraduate or honours degree in the humanities at a South African public university, in fields such as arts, languages, media, gender studies or education.
- Outstanding debt of no more than R10 000, owed to the university itself rather than to NSFAS.
- Demonstrated academic merit and financial need, with a graduation missed or a certificate withheld because of the debt.
How to apply for the Thekgo Bursary
- Download the guidelines and application form from canoncollins.org.
- Attach your identity document, academic record, a university statement showing the outstanding amount and proof of financial need.
- Email the completed application to thekgo@canoncollins.org.uk before the closing time.
Thekgo Bursary closing date
26 April at 17:00 SAST in recent rounds. Confirm the 2027 date with the trust.
Contact details
- Email: thekgo@canoncollins.org.uk
- Telephone: 010 500 2303
Students with larger balances should look at the Feenix student debt platform and the Anglo American Platinum tuition support.
FAQs
1. When does the Thekgo bursary close for 2027? +
The bursary runs on an April cycle, closing on 26 April at 17:00 South African time. Watch canoncollins.org from February 2027 and email the Thekgo team to confirm the date and which provinces the round covers.
2. What is the Thekgo bursary? +
A small Canon Collins Trust bursary that pays off outstanding university debt so that graduates can receive the degree certificates their universities are withholding.
3. How much is it? +
Up to R10 000 per bursary, paid directly to the university. Your debt must not exceed R10 000, and it must be owed to the university itself, not to NSFAS.
4. Who qualifies? +
Nationals of, or people with refugee status in, any African country who have completed an undergraduate or honours degree in the humanities at a South African public university, in fields such as arts, languages, media, gender studies or education, and whose certificate or academic record is being withheld for debt. Applicants must show academic merit and financial need, and recent rounds have targeted specific provinces.
5. How do I apply? +
Download the guidelines and application form from canoncollins.org and email the completed form with your supporting documents to thekgo@canoncollins.org.uk.
6. What if my debt is more than R10 000? +
The Thekgo bursary cannot help, but the Feenix crowdfunding platform and the Anglo American Platinum tuition support scheme both address larger outstanding balances.
Update note (checked September 2026): the bursary runs on an April cycle, closing on 26 April at 17:00 South African time. The 2027 round had not been advertised when we checked. Watch canoncollins.org from February 2027 and email the Thekgo team to confirm the date and which provinces the round covers.
Checked the requirements and closing date? Apply directly with the provider.
Apply on the provider’s website