REAP Bursary South Africa 2025
For aspiring South African students from disadvantaged rural backgrounds, achieving tertiary education can feel like a distant dream.
Financial constraints often become insurmountable barriers.
The Rural Education Access Programme (REAP) aims to bridge this gap by providing crucial financial and academic support.
Established in 2001, REAP is a non-profit organization dedicated to empowering rural communities through education.
They offer a range of initiatives, scholarships, and resources specifically designed to break down educational barriers for deserving students.
Initially known as the Catholic Education Assistance Programme (CEAP), REAP now welcomes applicants of all faiths and backgrounds.
About the REAP Bursary
The REAP bursary specifically targets students from rural areas who wish to pursue tertiary studies at one of their six partner universities:
- University of the Western Cape
- University of Johannesburg
- University of the Free State
- University of Kwa-Zulu Natal
- Nelson Mandela University
- Central University of Technology
While applicants must be primarily funded by NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme), REAP offers additional financial support.
This can amount to a maximum of R4,800 per year for first-year students, increasing to R6,000 annually from the second year onwards.
This vital support is disbursed as a monthly stipend alongside academic benefits such as mentoring, psychosocial support, life skills training, and ongoing academic monitoring.
Bursary recipients are required to complete community service each year.
REAP Bursary Eligibility Criteria
Meeting the following minimum requirements is crucial before applying for the REAP bursary:
- Applicants must be South African citizens.
- Applicants must be no older than 24 years old.
- Rural Residency: Applicants must hail from a designated rural area in South Africa.
- You must have attended a school in a rural area and written your National Senior Certificate (NSC) exams at a rural school within the last two years.
- Academic Performance: Achieving a minimum overall average of 55% in your NSC exams, excluding Life Orientation, is mandatory.
- You must be accepted or provisionally accepted for studies at one of the six partner universities mentioned earlier.
- You must have applied for and received confirmation of NSFAS funding.
- You must be accepted into NSFAS-approved student accommodation (residence or private).
- Your family/household income must not exceed R122,000 per annum before deductions (less than R10,167 per month, including all contributions and grants).
How to Apply for the REAP Bursary
The application process is entirely online via the REAP website.
Here’s a breakdown of the application stages:
- Stage 1: Submit your online application. If successful, you’ll receive an email with a link to complete stage 2. Unsuccessful applications will receive a notification on-screen.
- Stage 2 (Shortlisting): If shortlisted between 14th and 28th February (dates may vary), you’ll be invited to submit supporting documents and attend an information session at your chosen university campus on the 29th of February. The date is subject to change.
- Final Stage: Successful candidates will be notified by the end of March.
Shortlisted students must submit certified copies of the following documents:
- Identity Document (ID)
- Grade 11 Final Results
- Matric June Results
- Matric Certificate
- Proof of Registration/Acceptance from your chosen university (on official letterhead)
- Proof of Family/Household Income (including social grants)
Submitting all documents is compulsory. Incomplete applications will be disregarded.
REAP Bursary Closing Date
The closing date for applications is yet to be announced.
It’s advisable to check the REAP website regularly for updates.
Contact the REAP Bursary
For any further inquiries or clarifications regarding the REAP bursary program, you can contact REAP directly through the following methods:
- Telephone: 021 696 5500
- Fax: 086 247 1028
- Email: [email protected]