For matrics planning what comes next
Studying after school costs money, but there is help out there, and many students fund their studies with a mix of support. This guide explains the main types of funding in plain language, then walks you step by step through finding and applying for it. The earlier you start, the more options you’ll have.
The main types of funding
Government funding: NSFAS
NSFAS (the National Student Financial Aid Scheme) is the government’s funding scheme for students who can’t afford to pay for their studies. Whether you qualify depends mainly on your household income: there is an income limit, and students from households below it can apply.
NSFAS usually covers studies at public universities and public TVET colleges (Technical and Vocational Education and Training colleges). The income limit, what is covered and the other rules change from time to time, so always check the official NSFAS website for the current rules and application dates.
Bursaries from companies, government departments and organisations
A bursary (in Afrikaans, a beurs) is money to help pay for your studies that you usually don’t have to pay back. Bursaries are offered by companies, government departments, municipalities, NGOs and other organisations.
Most bursaries are linked to a field of study the funder needs, such as engineering, accounting, teaching, nursing or IT. Some cover your fees only, while others also help with things like books, accommodation or living costs.
Some bursaries come with a work-back obligation. This means that after you finish studying, you agree to work for the funder for a set period, often about as long as they funded you. If you don’t, you may have to pay the money back. Always read the contract carefully so you know what you are agreeing to.
Merit awards and scholarships from universities
Many universities and colleges offer their own merit awards and scholarships, usually for strong academic results, and sometimes for sport, culture or leadership. Some are given automatically when you are accepted with good marks; for others you have to apply. Check each institution’s website or financial aid office.
Student loans
A student loan is money you borrow from a bank or other lender to pay for your studies. Unlike a bursary, a loan must be paid back, usually with interest. Loans can fill a gap, but make sure you and your family understand the repayment terms before you sign anything.
Combining funding
You don’t have to rely on just one source. Some students combine a bursary with a university award, or use a loan to cover what a bursary doesn’t. But some funders don’t allow you to hold other funding at the same time, or reduce their amount if you do. Always tell each funder about other funding you receive, and check their rules.
| Type | Who gives it | Pay back? |
|---|---|---|
| NSFAS | Government | Rules depend on the type of funding: check the NSFAS website |
| Bursary | Companies, departments, organisations | Usually not, but there may be a work-back obligation |
| Merit award or scholarship | Universities and colleges | Usually not |
| Student loan | Banks and other lenders | Yes, usually with interest |
How to find and apply for funding
Start in Grade 11
Many bursary applications open, and some close, during your matric year, often before your final exams. Some funders ask for your Grade 11 results, so these marks really count. Start looking in Grade 11 so you aren’t caught off guard.
Make a list and a calendar of closing dates
Find bursaries that match the field you want to study. Ask your school’s Life Orientation teacher or guidance counsellor, look at the financial aid pages of the universities and colleges you’re interested in, and check the websites of companies and departments in your field.
Write each one in a list with what it covers, who can apply, what you need to send and the closing date. Put every closing date on a calendar or in your phone, with a reminder a week or two before. A late application is usually not considered at all.
Gather your documents
Each funder lists its own requirements, so read them carefully. Commonly asked-for documents include:
- a copy of your ID or birth certificate
- your latest school results (often Grade 11 final results or your most recent Grade 12 report)
- proof of household income, such as payslips or an affidavit if a parent or guardian is unemployed
- copies of your parents’ or guardians’ IDs
- a motivation letter
- proof that you’ve applied to, or been accepted at, a university or college
Keep clear copies (scans or photos) in one folder, so you can send them quickly. Some funders want certified copies, so check that too.
Write a strong motivation letter
Your motivation letter tells the funder who you are and why they should choose you. Keep it to about one page and use this structure:
- Introduction: who you are, your school and grade, and what you want to study.
- Why this field: what interests you and what you’ve done to explore it.
- Your strengths: your marks, leadership, sport, volunteering or responsibilities at home.
- Your situation: briefly and honestly, why you need funding.
- Your goals: what you want to do after studying, and how it links to the funder’s work.
- Closing: thank them for their time.
Tips: write a new letter (or at least a new opening and ending) for each funder, be specific instead of general, and ask a teacher or parent to check your spelling. Writing it like a formal letter helps: see Formele brief (formal letter) for how formal letters are laid out.
Apply to several
Bursaries are competitive, so don’t put all your hopes on one. Apply to every bursary you qualify for and genuinely want, apply to NSFAS if you think you qualify, and look at university awards too. More applications mean more chances.
Keep copies and check your e-mail
Save a copy of every application you send, plus any reference number or confirmation. Use an e-mail address you check often, and look in your spam folder too. Funders may ask for extra documents or invite you to an interview or test with a short deadline, and missing that message can cost you the bursary.
Beware of scams
Fake bursary offers are common, especially on social media and WhatsApp. Protect yourself:
- Never pay to apply for a bursary. Real bursaries don’t charge an application fee.
- Check that the funder is real: look for its official website and contact details, and ask your teacher or the institution’s financial aid office if you’re unsure.
- Be careful of offers that sound too good to be true or pressure you to act fast.
- Don’t send your ID, banking details or passwords to anyone you can’t verify.
Keep one funding folder
Make one folder, on paper or on your phone, with your list of funders, closing dates, documents and a copy of each application. When a new bursary opens, you’ll be ready to apply in an evening instead of scrambling for papers.
Common questions
When should I apply?
Start looking in Grade 11 and apply during your matric year. Many bursaries open and close during Grade 12, often before your final exams, and each funder has its own dates. NSFAS also has its own application period, which is announced on the official NSFAS website. Don’t wait until you have your final matric results.
Do my matric marks matter for bursaries?
Yes, usually a lot. Many bursaries and most merit awards look at your academic results, and some set minimum marks for certain subjects. Because you often apply before your final exams, your Grade 11 and Grade 12 school results matter. Some bursaries also look at financial need, leadership and other achievements.
Can I get NSFAS and a bursary?
It depends on the rules of both. Some students do receive support from more than one source, but some funders don’t allow it or adjust their funding if you have other support. Always tell each funder about any other funding you get, and check with both NSFAS and the bursary provider before you accept.
What is a work-back bursary?
It’s a bursary where you agree to work for the funder after you finish studying, usually for a set period. It can be a great deal, because you get your studies paid for and a job afterwards. But if you break the agreement, you may have to pay the money back, so read the contract carefully and ask questions before you sign.
Do I have to pay back NSFAS?
NSFAS’s rules on this have changed over time and depend on the type of funding you receive. Check the official NSFAS website for the current rules, and read your agreement carefully before you sign it.
How do I spot a bursary scam?
Warning signs include being asked to pay a fee to apply or to “release” your bursary, offers that arrive out of nowhere on WhatsApp or social media, no official website or contact details, and pressure to send your ID or banking details quickly. Real bursaries don’t charge you to apply. If you’re unsure, ask your teacher or the institution’s financial aid office.
Next, find out how your results affect your options in Matric marks and university.
Related topics
MatricGr 11–12
Matric marks and APS
How matric achievement levels turn into an APS score for university, how Afrikaans FAL counts, and practical ways to raise your APS before you apply.
ExamsGr 8–12
Study timetable
ExamsGr 8–12
Exam tips
Afrikaans exam tips for Grades 8–12 FAL: how to prepare, manage your time, answer each section and avoid the mistakes that cost easy marks.