Top Government Bursaries For South Africa Students
Government bursaries play a huge role in making higher education accessible to many deserving but financially unstable South African students.
They make it possible for talented individuals to pursue their academic ambitions without the constant stressful reminder that they can’t afford it.
So, if you’re a South African student seeking government funding for your studies, keep reading!
This article will name some of the top government bursaries available and give you details on what they cover to help you make informed decisions.
What are Government Bursaries?
Government bursaries are financial grants awarded by various government departments, agencies, and public entities in South Africa.
They aim to support needy students from a variety of backgrounds who show academic potential and a commitment to pursuing studies in important fields that are considered as national priorities.
These fields often align with the government’s development goals and address critical skills shortages within the country. Some of these fields are engineering, TVET, finance, mining, etc.
List of Top Government Bursaries For South Africa Students
I have put together a list of some of South Africa’s top government bursaries that are available to help struggling students. Here they are:
1.National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)
This flagship program is one of the most extensive government bursaries in South Africa.
It provides financial help to qualifying South African citizens from struggling backgrounds studying at public universities and TVET colleges across various disciplines.
2. Department of Science and Innovation (DSI) Bursary Programme
This bursary scheme focuses on training future scientists and technologists by supporting undergraduate and postgraduate studies in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) fields.
3. Department of Health Bursary Programme
Recognizing the deep need for healthcare professionals, this program offers bursaries for studies in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other allied health disciplines.
4. South African Police Service (SAPS) Bursary Scheme
Aspiring police officers can pursue degrees in criminology, forensic science, and police management through this bursary program.
This will contribute to strengthening law enforcement in South Africa.
5. National Research Foundation (NRF) Bursaries
For those passionate about research, the NRF offers generous bursaries for postgraduate studies in various disciplines.
This will raise future academics and researchers who will contribute to groundbreaking discoveries.
6. Bursary Programme for Public Administration and Management (BPM)
This program aims to develop competent and ethical public servants by providing bursaries for studies in public administration, governance, and related fields.
7. Department of Basic Education Bursary Programme
This scheme supports students pursuing teaching qualifications and degrees in education, contributing to improving the quality of education in South Africa.
8. National Youth Development Agency (NYDA) Bursary Programme
Focused on empowering young people, the NYDA offers bursaries for studies in fields aligned with youth development priorities, such as entrepreneurship, social work, and community development.
9. Department of Water and Sanitation Bursary Programme
With how important water security is, this program supports studies in hydrology, water engineering, and environmental science.
10. South African Social Security Agency (SASSA) Bursary Programme
This scheme is all about developing social workers and professionals skilled in addressing social challenges by providing bursaries for studies in social work and related fields.
What do Government Bursaries cover in South Africa?
The coverage of government bursaries can vary depending on the program the student is studying and the bursary provider’s policies.
However, they do cover a large portion of your study expenses, including: full tuition fees at public universities and TVET colleges, allowances for student accommodation or contributions to residence fees, stipends to cover basic living expenses like food, transportation, and study materials, and finally, funds for textbooks and other academic resources.
It’s important to know that government bursaries often come with certain conditions, such as maintaining good academic standing, completing your studies within a specific timeframe, and agreeing to work for a certain period within the government or a related field after graduation.