Stellenbosch University Bursaries, Prospective students who have already received their student numbers can apply online for bursaries and loans.
Once you have identified possible bursaries or loans to apply for, you can apply online for the following:
SU Financial Aid: my.sun.ac.za (log in with your student number and password).
NSFAS Funding: www.nsfas.org.za
IMPORTANT NOTICE
Please ensure that an application for financial assistance is submitted at both Stellenbosch University and NSFAS.
Bursaries and Loans
Sport Bursaries:
A number of special bursaries are available for those who have excelled at sport. You may obtain further details of these bursaries from Maties Sport at 021 808 4642 or [email protected]. The Sports bursaries are not included in the Bursaries and Loans Yearbook.
Other Bursaries (all included in the Calender):
A large number of general bursaries for study in any faculty, as well as bursaries for study in a specific faculty or department, are described in the Calender and are available to students who are academically deserving and/or financially needy.
First-year merit bursaries
In respect of First-year Merit Bursaries, the criterion used is the actual average of a prospective student’s final Grade 12 exam results (calculated based on a combination of the six best subjects required to gain admission to Bachelor’s studies at a university, excluding Life Orientation and Mathematics Paper 3), as indicated by the respective education departments.
Merit Bursaries are calculated as a percentage of basic study fees (module costs excluded). Following registration and once results have been announced, an algorithm with a given budget amount and fixed budget parameters is used to calculate the amounts to be allocated. The calculated amounts are then automatically transferred to the beneficiaries’ student accounts.
The following scale is applicable to first-year merit bursaries:
| Matric aggregate | % discount on basic study fees (module costs excluded) |
| 90% and higher | * 40% |
* The % rebate will depend on the number of qualifying candidates and the amount available for merit bursaries.
Please note: First-year students that completed their school end exams outside a provincial education department (excluding IEB examination), must submit a certified copy of their final Grade 12 exam results to the Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans. The onus rests on the student to verify by June of the specific academic year in which they are entitled to a merit bursary whether the bursary is indicated on their student fees account.
If the latter are not reflected, they must notify the Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans before the end of August; otherwise they forfeit their claim to a merit bursary.Senior Merit Bursaries
Senior merit bursaries are awarded to the top 5% achievers per faculty on the condition that candidates obtain a weighted aggregate of at least 75% in their previous academic year. Qualifying students receive a discount of 20% on their basic study fees (excluding module costs). The percentage of top achievers per faculty may be adjusted subject to the available budget for SU bursaries.
Requirements for the Senior Merit Bursaries
Candidates for the Senior Merit Bursaries shall:
- be senior undergraduate students of the University;
- be full-time students of the University;
- take an appropriate degree programme;
- take the full number of modules prescribed for the year of study concerned; and
- students who studied at other institutions should submit their results to the Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans
The following scale is applicable to Senior Merit Bursaries:
| Matric aggregate | % discount on basic study fees (module costs excluded) |
| Top 5% achievers per faculty on condition that candidates obtain a weighted aggregate of at least 75% in their previous academic year | * 20% |
* The % rebate will depend on the number of qualifying candidates and the amount available for Senior Merit Bursaries.
Please note: In June of the specific academic year during which senior students are entitled to a merit bursary, the onus rests on them to verify whether their accounts reflect their bursaries.
If the bursaries are not reflected in their student accounts, students must notify the Centre for Undergraduate Bursaries and Loans before the end of August; otherwise they forfeit their claim to a merit bursary.
Cancellation of merit bursaries
The merit bursaries of students who discontinues their studies in the first semester, will be cancelled.
Continuation of Recruitment Bursaries for current students:
Follow this link to view the continuation criteria for current Recruitment Bursary students.
Bursary loans for financially needy students
1. SU BURSARY LOAN
The University also offers bursary loans for needy students.
2. NSFAS BURSARY LOAN
To ensure that your application for financial assistance is considered by Stellenbosch University and NSFAS, we encourage all students to apply at both institutions. (Please note: NSFAS funding is not guaranteed, thus it is crucial that all students apply at the Stellenbosch University for financial assistance)
Follow the NSFAS link: http://www.nsfas.org.za
Remember:A bursary loan is not the same as a bursary. A bursary refers to money that you do not have to repay, except if you discontinue your studies. A Bursary loan (for example SU or NSFAS bursary loans) is money that you have to repay after completing or upon discontinuation of your studies.
Closing dates for applications:
- All bursary and loan applications administered by the University: 31 August
- Last day to submit all documents: 11 September 2017. No incomplete applications will be considered after this date
- Private companies have different closing dates for their bursaries. See the Calender for the particulars.
- NSFAS Bursary Loan 30 November