How to Check and Apply for South African Bursaries — Current Rules Require Verification

Explore NSFAS, ISFAP, government, and corporate funding leads, then verify each one against its current official application notice. Career Helper does not treat an older listing as proof that a fund, threshold, benefit, or deadline is available in the current intake.

Historical Funding Categories — Verify Current Rules

Bursary Type	Older-Listing Audience	Older-Listing Benefits
NSFAS	Older guidance focused on financially eligible SA citizens at qualifying public institutions	Older guidance listed tuition and living-cost categories; verify current terms
ISFAP	Older guidance focused on some "missing middle" households and selected programmes	Support varied by institution and programme; verify the current call
Corporate Bursaries	Citizenship, field, APS, subject, and other rules vary by funder	Benefits and work obligations vary by current call

Older Corporate Listings — APS and Benefits Unverified

Bursary	Field of Study	Min APS	Value
Allan Gray Orbis Fellowship	Older listing: entrepreneurship-focused study	Older listing: 38+	Older benefits listing — verify
Discovery Bursary	Older listing: quantitative and commerce fields	Older listing: 40+	Older benefits listing — verify
Sasol Bursary	Older listing: engineering and science fields	Older listing: 35+	Older benefits listing — verify
Eskom Bursary	Older listing: technical and commercial fields	Older listing: 30+	Older benefits listing — verify
Anglo American Bursary	Older listing: mining-related fields	Older listing: 32+	Older benefits listing — verify
Old Mutual Bursary	Older listing: actuarial and commerce fields	Older listing: 35+	Older benefits listing — verify
Funza Lushaka Teaching Bursary	Older listing: selected teaching fields	Older listing: 24+	Older benefits and obligations — verify
SANRAL Scholarship	Older listing: transport-related engineering fields	Older listing: 30+	Older benefits listing — verify

How to Check and Apply for NSFAS

1. Check eligibility: Confirm the current citizenship, household-income, SASSA, institution, programme, and study-mode rules at nsfas.org.za.
2. Check the application window: Use the exact dates on the current official notice; do not rely on prior-year month ranges.
3. Use the current document checklist: Required evidence and consent can change.
4. Track the application: Use only the current official status channels and respond to requests for evidence.
5. Read the funding terms: Confirm covered costs, caps, payment methods, academic-progression rules, and any repayment terms before accepting.

Key Documents Needed for Bursary Applications

• Certified copy of your South African ID or passport
• Certified latest school results or matric certificate
• Proof of household income (payslips, SARS eFiling print, or SASSA confirmation letter)
• Proof of residence (municipality bill or landlord letter)
• Motivational letter (1–2 pages: your goals, career aspirations, and why you need funding)
• Bank account details (for living allowance payments)
• Proof of acceptance or application to a tertiary institution (university or TVET college)

Use Career Helper's free Bursary Finder to match your APS score, subjects, and career interests to bursaries you actually qualify for — no scrolling through hundreds of irrelevant options.