The words bursary and scholarship are often used interchangeably in South Africa, but there are useful differences. Knowing them helps you search more effectively and understand what you are signing up for.
Bursary
A bursary is funding for your studies that you do not repay in cash. It is usually offered by a company, government department, municipality, SETA or trust to build skills in a particular field. Bursaries are often based on a mix of academic merit and financial need. Many come with conditions, such as maintaining minimum marks, doing vacation work, or working for the funder after you graduate (a work-back bursary).
Scholarship
A scholarship is usually awarded mainly for excellence, whether academic, sporting, artistic or in leadership. Scholarships are less likely to carry a work-back obligation, but they can be very competitive. Many international and postgraduate awards are called scholarships, such as Chevening, Fulbright and the Mandela Rhodes Scholarship.
NSFAS
NSFAS is government funding for students from households earning R350,000 or less a year (R600,000 or less for students with disabilities) who study at public universities and TVET colleges. NSFAS funding is a bursary, so you do not repay it, as long as you meet its academic progression rules.
Side-by-side comparison
| Bursary | Scholarship | NSFAS | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main basis | Field of study, merit and often need | Excellence | Household income |
| Who funds it | Companies, government, SETAs, trusts | Foundations, universities, governments | National government |
| Repay in cash? | No | No | No |
| Work-back obligation | Common | Rare | No |
| Study level | Mostly undergraduate | Often postgraduate or international | Undergraduate and TVET |
Can I hold more than one?
Many bursaries do not allow you to receive other bursary funding at the same time, while others allow top-ups (for example, a bursary that covers costs NSFAS does not). Always declare other funding honestly, because failing to do so can lead to the bursary being cancelled and having to repay it.
Which should I apply for?
Apply for all three where you qualify. If your household income is within the NSFAS limit, apply for NSFAS as a safety net, and apply for company bursaries and scholarships in your field at the same time.