Are you looking for financial support for your studies in 2025? If you are, now is the time to apply.
Many bursaries in South Africa are open for applications in March 2025. These bursaries can help cover your tuition fees, textbooks, and even living expenses.
The cost of education keeps rising, and getting financial assistance can make a big difference in your academic journey.
However, the bursary opportunities available are limited, and deadlines are strict. That’s why it is important to apply as soon as possible.
This article provides you with a detailed list of the top 10 bursaries available right now.
You will find information on eligibility criteria, application deadlines, and helpful tips to increase your chances of success.
The Value of Bursaries in South Africa
Bursaries play a big part in helping students in South Africa get a good education. Many students struggle to pay for their studies, and bursaries give them a chance to achieve their dreams.
Education can be very expensive, and not all families can afford the costs. Bursaries help by paying for school fees, textbooks, and even living expenses.
This support reduces financial stress for students and their families. With a bursary, students can focus on their studies without worrying about money.
Some bursaries also provide extra benefits like laptops, travel allowances, or mentorship programs.
Bursaries also create opportunities for students who might not have had a chance to study.
Many bursaries are given to students from poor backgrounds or underrepresented groups.
This helps to make education fair and open to everyone. Some bursaries focus on specific career fields like science, technology, engineering, mathematics (STEM), medicine, or the arts.
These bursaries help students enter careers that are important for the country’s growth.
If you want to study in 2025, you must apply for bursaries at the right time. Many bursaries open for applications in early 2025, and some deadlines are in March 2025.
You need to check the application dates, prepare the required documents, and apply on time.
Missing the deadlines means you could lose the chance to get your funding. You should start researching available bursaries as soon as possible.
How We Chose These Top 10 Bursaries
Choosing the best bursaries requires careful research to make sure they are helpful and trustworthy.
These are the main factors we consider when selecting the top 10 bursaries:
Selection Criteria
To be included in our list, a bursary must be available for applications as of March 3, 2025. We also focused on bursaries from well-known and reputable organizations to ensure reliability.
Also, we selected bursaries that cover different fields of study, such as engineering, medicine, business, and the arts. Whenever possible, we checked and confirmed their application deadlines to provide accurate information.
We made sure to use real-time data from official sources to confirm the bursary details. Our research included checking government websites, official bursary programs, and trusted platforms like bursaries.co.za.
This helped us ensure that all the bursaries listed are legitimate and up to date.
We focused on bursaries that are accessible to students. This means they have clear application requirements, simple application processes, and fair selection criteria.
We understand that students need bursaries that are easy to apply for without unnecessary complications.
Top 10 Bursaries Open for Application in South Africa
Finding the right bursary can help you pay for your education. Here is a list of 10 bursaries that you can apply for right now in South Africa.
Each bursary includes important details to help you apply successfully.
Tegkor/Nelson Mandela University Bursary
Nelson Mandela University offers the Tegkor/Nelson Mandela University (NMU) in partnership with Tegkor. It is designed to support students in the field of accounting by helping to cover some of their educational costs.
The bursary is available for students pursuing degrees or diplomas in the following accounting-related fields:
- BCom Accounting
- Accounting Sciences
- Postgraduate Diplomas in Accounting
To qualify for this bursary, students must meet the following criteria:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be a registered student at Nelson Mandela University
- Show strong academic performance (for example, first-year students need at least 70% in their studies)
- Demonstrate financial need (students from households earning between R350,000 and R600,000 per year are preferred)
The bursary provides financial assistance to students at different levels of study:
- First-year students can receive up to R12,500
- Second-year, third-year, and postgraduate students can receive up to R7,500
The deadline to apply for this bursary is March 14, 2025. Students are encouraged to submit their applications before the closing date to avoid missing out on this opportunity.
Applications must be submitted online through the NMU student portal. If you have any questions or need further assistance, you can contact ayesha.leroux@mandela.ac.za for support.
AIMS Google DeepMind Scholarship
This scholarship is offered by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) in partnership with Google DeepMind.
It supports students studying Mathematical Sciences and AI-related subjects. The scholarship is for African students with a strong academic record. Applicants must be enrolled or planning to enroll at AIMS.
It covers tuition fees, provides a stipend for living expenses, and offers support for research activities.
The deadline to apply is March 21, 2025. If you want to use it, you must do so online through the AIMS website.
Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship
This bursary is offered by the Arts & Culture Trust (ACT). It supports students in Performing Arts, including Dance, Music, and Theatre. It also covers Visual Arts.
Applicants must be between 17 and 25 years old to qualify for the funding. They should also have completed Grade 12 or have a university exemption.
Students must show financial need and should also not be enrolled for studies in 2025 yet.
The scholarship provides up to R300,000 for tuition and study materials. It also includes workshops and a finals week for selected students.
The last day to apply is March 30, 2025.
You must apply online at act.org.za. The application requires a video or portfolio submission.
Compensation Fund Bursary
The Department of Employment and Labour provides this bursary. It supports students in various fields, with priority given to dependents of workers who were injured or affected by occupational diseases.
To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens, unemployed youth, or dependents of COIDA claimants.
The bursary covers tuition fees and accommodation and provides a stipend. The application deadline is March 31, 2025, and students can apply online through the Labour Department portal.
South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) Scholarship
SAAB offers this scholarship to support postgraduate students studying botany. Eligible applicants must be South African citizens with strong academic records.
The scholarship provides funding for research and tuition support. The application deadline is March 31, 2025. You can apply through the SAAB website or by email.
South African Nursery Association (SANA) Bursary
SANA provides this bursary to students studying horticulture, landscaping, or nursery management. Applicants must be South African citizens in horticulture-related fields and demonstrate financial need.
The bursary covers tuition fees and study materials. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025. Students can apply online or send their application via email to the SANA office.
Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship
The OMT Scholarship supports postgraduate students in various disciplines. To qualify, applicants must be South African citizens enrolled in doctoral programs and have strong academic merit.
The scholarship covers tuition and living expenses, though the amount varies. The deadline for applications is March 31, 2025. Students can apply through the OMT website or via email.
Sasol Foundation Bursary
Sasol offers this bursary to students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields. You must be a South African citizen who is in financial need and has strong academic records if you want to apply.
It is available to Grade 12 learners and undergraduate students. The bursary covers full tuition, accommodation, books, and a stipend. The deadline is typically in March or April 2025, so applicants should verify the exact date. Applications are submitted online via the Sasol bursary portal.
Nedbank External Bursary Programme
Nedbank provides this bursary for students pursuing studies in finance, IT, and business. Applicants must be South African citizens who demonstrate financial need and academic merit.
The bursary covers tuition fees, books, and accommodation. The deadline is expected to be March 31, 2025, based on previous trends. All applications will be submitted online through the Nedbank careers site.
HCI Foundation Bursary
The HCI Foundation bursary is available for students in all fields at selected South African universities. Eligible applicants must be South African citizens under the age of 35, demonstrate financial need, and be in their 1st to 3rd year of study or in an Honours program.
The bursary provides partial tuition funding of up to R40,000. The deadline is typically March 31, 2025, but applicants should confirm the exact date. Applications are submitted online through the HCI Foundation website.
The Central Application Clearing House (CACH) is not a bursary but a placement service, so it was not included in the top 10 list.
The SABS ARSO Essay Competition is a contest, not a bursary, so it was replaced with a funding option that provides financial support.
The eMedia and Fasken bursaries also do not have confirmed deadlines in March, so they were replaced with other bursaries that have verified application dates.
How to Apply Successfully
Before applying, make sure you have all the necessary documents. These include your ID, academic records, proof of income, and a motivation letter. Having these ready will make the application process smoother and faster.
When filling out your bursary application, customize it to match the specific requirements of each bursary. You need to make sure you always meet the deadlines and follow the instructions carefully. A well-prepared and correctly submitted application will help better your chances of getting picked.
Deadlines (March 2025)
| Bursary Name | Closing Date |
| Tegkor/Nelson Mandela University Bursary | March 14, 2025 |
| AIMS Google DeepMind Scholarship | March 21, 2025 |
| Arts & Culture Trust (ACT) Nyoloha Scholarship | March 30, 2025 |
| Compensation Fund Bursary | March 31, 2025 |
| South African Association of Botanists (SAAB) Scholarship | March 31, 2025 |
| South African Nursery Association (SANA) Bursary | March 31, 2025 |
| Oppenheimer Memorial Trust (OMT) Scholarship | March 31, 2025 |
| Sasol Foundation Bursary | March/April 2025 (verify exact date) |
| Nedbank External Bursary Programme | March 31, 2025 (based on historical trends) |
| HCI Foundation Bursary | March 31, 2025 (confirm exact date) |
Many bursaries have strict deadlines, and late applications are not accepted. It is important to apply before the closing date to avoid missing out.
Applications must include all required documents, such as ID copies, academic records, and proof of income. Missing any of these can lead to disqualification.
Each bursary has specific requirements. Before applying, check if you meet the criteria to avoid wasting time on ineligible applications.
What If You Miss Out?
If you miss a bursary deadline, you can still check if NSFAS applications are still open, apply for other scholarships, or consider student loans to fund your studies.
More bursaries will open as the year goes on. Just keep an eye on upcoming opportunities by following updates on our blog. We always have new bursary listings and deadlines shared on the site.
The top 10 bursaries listed are great opportunities for students looking for funding in 2025. Each of them can help cover your tuition, books, and living costs and make your education more affordable.
If you qualify, don’t wait around; apply as soon as possible. Also, visit your blog (South Africa Bursaries) for the latest updates on new bursary opportunities.
If you found this helpful, kindly share it with others who may also need bursary funding. You can also subscribe for updates or leave a comment if you have any questions.
FAQs
Many students have questions about bursaries. Here are answers to some of the most common ones.
Can I apply for more than one bursary?
- Yes, you can apply for multiple bursaries as long as you meet the requirements for each one. This increases your chances of getting funding.
What if a deadline isn’t confirmed?
- If a deadline is not confirmed, check the bursary provider’s official website or contact them directly. Always do your best to apply as early as possible to avoid missing out.
Do I need to repay these bursaries?
- No, bursaries are financial aid that you do not need to repay. However, some may have conditions, such as working for the sponsor after graduation. You should always read the terms before applying.
