Top Bursaries for Matric Students in South Africa (2026 List)
A comprehensive list of bursaries and scholarships available to South African matric students for 2026 — including corporate, government, and university-specific options, plus tips on how to apply successfully.
By Tania Galant in Education · 8 min read
Key Takeaways
- NSFAS covers tuition and living costs - For students from households earning under R350,000/year.
- Funza Lushaka bursary - Full funding for teaching degrees, work-back requirement in public schools.
- Sasol, Eskom, Anglo American bursaries - Full cover for STEM students, usually with work-back contracts.
- Apply by June-September - Most corporate bursaries close before the previous matric year ends.
- Academic requirements - Typically APS 32+ and 60%+ in Maths and Physical Sciences for STEM fields.
University is expensive. A three-year degree at a public university costs anywhere from R60,000 to R250,000 in total — and that's before accommodation, food, and textbooks. For many South African families, that number feels impossible.
But here's what most matric students don't realise: there is a lot of money available. Corporate bursaries, government schemes, university merit awards, and NGO scholarships fund thousands of students every single year. The problem isn't that funding doesn't exist — it's that most students don't know where to look, or they miss the deadlines.
This guide is your starting point. We've compiled a list of notable bursaries available to matric students for 2026, organised by type, along with practical advice on how to apply.
Before You Start: Apply for NSFAS First
If your household income is below R350,000 per year, your first step should be NSFAS application 2026. NSFAS covers tuition, accommodation, living costs, and books at all public universities and TVET colleges. It's the broadest and most accessible funding available.
Think of NSFAS as your safety net and bursaries as your bonus. Apply for NSFAS regardless of whether you're also applying for bursaries.
Corporate Bursaries
These are funded by large companies and typically require you to work for the sponsoring company after graduation (a "work-back" agreement). They're competitive but extremely generous — most cover everything.
| Bursary | Provider | Fields of Study | Approx. Value | Key Requirements | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sasol Bursary | Sasol | Engineering, Science, IT, Finance | Full tuition + accommodation + living | 70%+ in Maths & Science | June–August |
| Anglo American Bursary | Anglo American | Mining Engineering, Geology, Metallurgy | Full cost of study | 65%+ in Maths & Science | July–September |
| Eskom Bursary | Eskom | Electrical/Mechanical Engineering, IT | Full tuition + stipend | 60%+ in Maths & Science | August–October |
| Old Mutual Bursary | Old Mutual | Actuarial Science, Finance, IT, Data Science | Full cost + mentorship | 75%+ in Maths | July–September |
| Allan Gray Orbis Foundation | Allan Gray | Any field (entrepreneurship focus) | Full cost + entrepreneurship programme | Strong academics + leadership | February–March (Grade 11) |
| Investec Bursary | Investec | Commerce, Finance, IT, Actuarial Science | Full tuition + mentorship | 75%+ in Maths, strong English | June–August |
| Nedbank Bursary | Nedbank | Commerce, Accounting, IT, Data Analytics | Full tuition + allowances | 65%+ average | August–October |
| MTN Foundation Bursary | MTN | IT, Engineering, Commerce | Full tuition + laptop + data | 65%+ in Maths | July–September |
| Discovery Bursary | Discovery | Actuarial Science, Data Science, Health Sciences | Full cost of study | 80%+ in Maths | June–August |
| Transnet Bursary | Transnet | Engineering, Logistics, IT | Full tuition + stipend | 60%+ in Maths & Science | August–October |
Government Bursaries
Government-funded bursaries target specific sectors where South Africa needs skilled professionals.
| Bursary | Provider | Fields of Study | Approx. Value | Key Requirements | Typical Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Funza Lushaka | Dept. of Basic Education | Teaching (all subjects, especially Maths, Science, Languages) | Full cost + placement guarantee | Commitment to teach at a public school for same number of years as funded | September–January |
| DBSA Bursary | Development Bank of Southern Africa | Economics, Finance, Development Studies, Engineering | Full tuition + living allowance | 65%+ average, financial need | August–October |
| DHET Bursary | Dept. of Higher Education | Scarce skills fields (varies annually) | Varies | Financial need + acceptance at public institution | Varies |
| Department of Water & Sanitation | DWS | Water Engineering, Environmental Science, Hydrology | Full cost of study | 60%+ in Maths & Science | July–September |
| South African Navy Bursary | SA Navy | Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical), IT | Full cost + military training | Physical fitness + 60%+ Maths & Science | March–May |
Funza Lushaka deserves special mention. If you have any interest in teaching — especially Maths, Science, or African languages — this bursary is one of the easiest to obtain and comes with a guaranteed job placement at a public school after graduation. South Africa has a chronic teacher shortage, and Funza Lushaka is the government's primary tool to address it.
University-Specific Merit Bursaries
Most public universities offer merit-based bursaries to top-performing students. These are often awarded automatically based on your matric results — you don't always need to apply separately.
| University | Bursary Name | Criteria | Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| University of Cape Town | Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship | Top academic performers | Up to full tuition |
| University of the Witwatersrand | Wits Merit Scholarships | 85%+ matric average | R20,000–full tuition |
| Stellenbosch University | Merit Bursaries | 80%+ matric average | R10,000–R50,000 |
| University of Pretoria | UP Academic Achiever | 90%+ APS | Up to full tuition |
| University of KwaZulu-Natal | UKZN Merit Awards | 80%+ in relevant subjects | Varies |
| University of Johannesburg | UJ Merit Scholarships | Top matric results | R10,000–full tuition |
Check the financial aid office website of every university you're applying to. Many have bursaries that aren't widely advertised. Make sure you understand how your APS score requirements affect your eligibility for both admission and funding.
STEM-Specific Bursaries
If you're pursuing Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics, you have access to additional funding sources:
| Bursary | Focus Area | Provider | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NRF Bursary | Science & Engineering research | National Research Foundation | For students entering research-focused programmes |
| SAICA Thuthuka | Chartered Accounting | SA Institute of Chartered Accountants | Specifically for Black African and Coloured students |
| Siemens Bursary | Engineering, IT | Siemens SA | Includes workplace experience |
| Shell SA Bursary | Engineering, Geoscience | Shell | International company, strong mentorship programme |
| Aurecon Bursary | Civil, Structural, Mechanical Engineering | Aurecon | Work-back agreement, practical experience included |
How to Apply Successfully
Finding bursaries is only half the battle. The application itself determines whether you get funded. Here's what separates successful applications from the rest.
1. Start Early — Grade 11 Is Not Too Soon
Many high-value bursaries (Allan Gray, Sasol, Discovery) have deadlines in the middle of the year — meaning you need to apply while you're still in Grade 11 or early Grade 12. Don't wait for your final matric results.
2. Get Your Documents Ready
Most bursary applications require the same documents as your NSFAS application 2026:
- Certified ID copy
- Latest academic results (Grade 11 final or Grade 12 June results)
- Proof of household income
- Proof of acceptance at a university (if available)
Keep certified copies ready — you'll use them across multiple applications.
3. Write a Strong Motivation Letter
This is where most students fail. Your motivation letter isn't a formality — it's often the deciding factor between you and another applicant with similar marks.
Do:
- Be specific about what you want to study and why
- Mention your family's financial situation honestly — bursary providers need to understand your need
- Describe any leadership, community involvement, or extracurricular activities
- Explain what you'll do with the qualification — how will you contribute?
- Keep it under one page — concise and focused
Don't:
- Copy a generic template from the internet — reviewers see hundreds of these
- Write "I am passionate about..." without explaining what that means in practice
- Complain or sound entitled — focus on opportunity, not hardship
- Submit without proofreading — spelling and grammar errors signal carelessness
4. Apply for Multiple Bursaries
There's no rule that says you can only apply for one bursary. Smart students apply for 5-10 bursaries simultaneously. If you receive multiple offers, you choose the best one.
Create a spreadsheet tracking:
- Bursary name
- Deadline
- Documents required
- Status (applied, pending, accepted, rejected)
5. Follow Up
After submitting, don't just wait and hope. Check the status of your applications. Call the bursary provider if you haven't heard back within the stated timeframe. Persistence shows commitment.
Common Application Mistakes
| Mistake | Impact | How to Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Missing the deadline | Automatic rejection | Track all deadlines in a spreadsheet or phone calendar |
| Generic motivation letter | Screened out in first round | Write a unique letter for each bursary, tailored to the provider |
| Uncertified documents | Application returned/rejected | Get copies certified well in advance |
| Applying for wrong field | Automatic rejection | Read the bursary criteria carefully — don't apply for an engineering bursary if you're studying law |
| Not meeting minimum marks | Wasted effort | Check the requirements before spending time on the application |
Building Your Post-Matric Funding Plan
Here's a practical timeline for matric students building a funding strategy:
| When | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Grade 11 (June-December) | Research bursaries, apply for early-deadline options (Allan Gray, Sasol, Discovery) |
| Grade 12 (January-June) | Apply for mid-year deadline bursaries, submit NSFAS application when it opens |
| Grade 12 (July-September) | Apply for remaining corporate and government bursaries |
| Grade 12 (September-January) | Submit NSFAS, apply for university merit bursaries, finalise university applications |
| After matric results | Update bursary providers with final results, follow up on pending applications |
What If You Don't Get a Bursary?
Not getting a bursary doesn't mean you can't study. Your options include:
- NSFAS — covers everything for qualifying families. See our NSFAS application 2026 guide
- University payment plans — most universities offer monthly instalments
- Bank study loans — Capitec, FNB, and Nedbank offer student loans (compare interest rates carefully)
- Part-time study — work while studying part-time at a TVET college vs university
- Gap year to save — work for a year and save. See our gap year south africa guide for how to make this productive
Understanding your matric pass requirements 2026 will help you target the right programmes and funding. And if you're still deciding what to study, our guide to best courses after matric covers the options with the best career outcomes.
Your Funding Is Out There
Every year, millions of rands in bursary funding go unclaimed because students simply didn't apply. Don't be one of them. Start early, apply broadly, and put effort into every application.
Your matric marks open the doors. Bursaries and NSFAS make sure you can walk through them.