Who qualifies for the Unisa bursary?

Unisa bursary qualification generally requires South African citizenship, strong academics (often 75%+ average in previous year for merit), financial need (family income capped, e.g., R600k for some), and enrollment in specific undergraduate or postgraduate programs, with specific criteria varying by bursary type (Merit, NSFAS, Foundation). Key factors include academic performance, financial hardship, and specific program/year of study, with first-years often excluded from certain merit awards.

What are the requirements for a bursary at UNISA?

Bursary conditions

Students must have obtained an average of at least 75% and above in their previous year of study. The bursary is only awarded to South African citizens registered for a formal qualification in any discipline at Unisa.

What are the requirements to qualify for a bursary?

Must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards an undergraduate qualification within one of the fields of study listed (the bursary does NOT fund postgraduate studies) Must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa. Must have a strong academic record.

What are bursary eligibility requirements?

Performing well in your exams. Excelling at an extracurricular talent, like music or sports. Being the first person in your family to attend university. Residing in a particular area.

What is the eligibility for a bursary?

To be considered, the university needs confirmation that: a student has applied to Student Finance for income-assessed support. the chosen university is on their application. their household income has been verified by Student Finance.

CGS Open Day - Postgraduate Bursaries

How difficult is it to get a bursary?

An award may only be eligible to applicants for a specific course or subject, or based on certain personal circumstances (e.g. household income, disability, place of residence). Application process: Over 25% of students we spoke to, who received a scholarship or bursary, were eligible based simply on their grades*.

What are the common reasons for bursary rejection?

Common Reasons of Scholarship Rejections

• Incomplete or Incorrect Application. ...
• Lack of Eligibility. ...
• Weak Personal Statement or Essay. ...
• Poor Academic Performance or Low GPA. ...
• Missing Deadlines. ...
• Weak or Generic Letters of Recommendation. ...
• Highly Competitive Scholarships.

What expenses does a bursary cover?

Within reason the Work Experience Bursary can contribute to any expenses incurred through work experience or an internship, including: Accommodation costs. Travel expenses. Living costs and utilities bills.

What are the two types of bursaries?

Partial bursary (tuition & books); Full bursary (tuition, accommodation, meals, books, etc).

Do you pay back the bursary?

No, you generally do not have to pay back a bursary because it's a form of financial aid or grant, not a loan, given based on need, merit, or other criteria. However, exceptions exist, such as if you withdraw early from a course (like with US Pell Grants) or fail to meet specific conditions (like teaching requirements for some TEACH Grants), which might trigger repayment of unearned funds. 

How does a bursary differ from a scholarship?

Bursaries are means-tested using various criteria such as household income and normal residency. Scholarships are generally merit-based using qualification results. However, they can also be awarded based on criteria such as background and ethnicity.

Can I get a bursary as a mature student?

Adult learners can apply for grants and bursaries to help pay for courses and training. Usually, you do not have to pay this money back. For most grants and bursaries you apply directly to the organisation that gives them out. They'll have an application form and will be able to tell you if you qualify.

What are the three types of financial assistance?

Three common types of financial assistance are grants/scholarships (gift aid that doesn't need repayment), loans (borrowed money that must be repaid with interest, like federal or private student loans), and work-study programs (part-time jobs for students to earn money for expenses). These aid types provide funds through different methods, from outright gifts to earned income and borrowed funds, helping cover educational costs. 

Who can qualify for a bursary?

Must be studying or intend on studying full-time, towards an undergraduate qualification within one of the fields of study listed (the bursary does NOT fund postgraduate studies) Must be studying or intend on studying at a recognised tertiary institution in South Africa. Must have a strong academic record.

How much is the UNISA stipend per month?

LMA is calculated at R660 per module for the first 4 modules, R5678 for 5 or more modules per academic year. Students registered for 10 or more modules qualify for incidental allowance of R316.70 per month for 10 months. Qualifying students will be sent a link on their mylife email to submit their banking details.

How long does it take for a bursary to be approved?

We aim to assess your bursary application within 20 working days of receiving your completed application and all supporting evidence. If we need more information or supporting evidence, we'll process this within 20 working days of receiving the additional information or evidence we need.

How do you get approved for a bursary?

They'll look at your individual circumstances - this usually includes your family income. Ask student services about their criteria and any evidence you'll need. You can apply to a discretionary bursary if you're over 19 and either: continuing on a course you started aged 16 to 18 (known as being a '19+ continuer')

What are the income requirements for a bursary?

Pupils do not need to win a scholarship in order to be considered for a bursary and there is no set income threshold.

Who receives a bursary?

Eligibility for bursaries

You must be eligible for student finance to receive a bursary (unless you're training to teach physics or languages). You'll also need at least one of the following: a bachelor's degree class 2:2 (honours) or higher. a master's degree.

What documents do I need to apply for a bursary?

Document Checklist

1. Salary or wage slips of the parent(s) or guardian(s)
2. An affidavit from the parent(s) or guardian(s) stating that they are unemployed or self-employed. ...
3. Most recent audited financial statement or three months' most recent bank statements if the parent(s) or guardian(s) own a business.

What can you get a bursary for?

A bursary is financial help for students who need support with study costs. Bursaries can help with things like course fees, registration and/or exam fees. It's not a loan, so you don't have to repay it.

What is the bursary amount?

The bursary value is decided by a selection panel who observe the financial need and academic potential of applicants; it varies between R20 000 and R50 000 per year.

How can I increase my chances of getting a bursary?

Bursary Application Tips

1. 1.Write a letter of motivation. Writing a motivation letter gives you the chance to provide motivation as to why you should be the successful candidate. ...
2. 2.Include a recommendation letter. ...
3. 3.Be selective when including activities and awards. ...
4. 4.Eliminate all mistakes by proofreading your application.

What disqualifies you from getting financial aid?

You might not be eligible for financial aid due to not filing the FAFSA, not meeting basic requirements (like citizenship or high school diploma), having a low GPA or failing to make Satisfactory Academic Progress, being in loan default, or enrolling in an ineligible program, with eligibility depending on your financial need, enrollment status, and adherence to academic standards. 

What is the #1 most common FAFSA mistake?

The #1 most common FAFSA mistake is leaving fields blank, often due to confusion, which can delay or reject applications; instead, enter '0' or 'N/A'. Other major errors include incorrect personal info (Name/SSN mismatch), mixing up student/parent answers, misreporting income/asset data (using wrong tax year), and missing early deadlines for limited funds.