Is your child is Primary School or entering Primary School? Here are some Scholarships and Bursaries to apply for
Scholarships and bursaries are a great way to kickstart your child’s secondary/ tertiary school career at a private institution. Many prestigious schools aim to attract only the best students, with most offering some form of financial assistance to bright students whose parents can not afford the tuition.
If you are looking for high school bursaries, visit our High School Bursaries and Scholarships South Africa page.
What is a scholarship?
A scholarship is a financial award given to talented and hardworking students. Scholarships are often awarded to individuals who excel in academics or are gifted in sport/ art/ drama or any other creative avenue.
Scholarships are most often funded by donations or legacies from previous pupils and other benefactors. Owing to this, older and established private schools will often have more scholarships to offer than that of public, or newer institutions.
When awarding scholarships, the household income of the student is not considered. This is because a scholarship award is based on the academic excellence/ talent of the student. There are some schools that offer scholarships that cover 100% of fees, but this is not common. Generally, most scholarships are worth 20 to 40% of the students yearly fees.
What is a bursary?
Bursaries are different from scholarships, as bursaries are awarded based on the financial need of the applicant. Bursaries are aimed at academically gifted and talented students who may not have the financial means to study at a private school. Bursaries are often awarded based on the “means-test” and are more valuable than scholarships, as they cover full or partial fees with any surplus of funds covering extras (like uniforms and school outings).
Students may be able to qualify for both forms of funding (scholarships and bursaries.) In this instance, the child will be placed at the chosen private institution and receive financial aid (owing to their ability.) The bursary, however, will enable them to attend their chosen institution.
How to qualify for a school scholarship bursary?
Academic scholarships are awarded every year to the best performing students. Often, schools grant academic scholarships based entrance exam results, with the scholarship being awarded to the students who have obtained top marks. Thereafter, students are not often required to take a separate exam.
However, should a student be applying for a scholarship based on their aptitude in a specific subject, it is expected that they will have to prove their talents. Examples are taking an additional test for a specific subject (such as Mathematics), auditioning for acting/ music, demonstrating their sporting ability, etc.
For bursaries, you will need to submit proof of financial need by submitting evidence of your household income. You might also be required to give details of your assets as well as list other family members that are dependent on the income, and give a description of your monthly expenses. This means that while bursaries are awarded based on a means-test, it is not always straightforward (e.g. a family that has a higher income but more expenses may qualify more a family with a lower income.)
Some schools do, however, automatically grant bursaries to the students most in need, whereas some require the students to apply for them on their own accord.
It’s important to note that many schools award bursary awards not solely on financial need, but also based on the ability and talents of the student. Therefore, if your child is in financial need but their exam marks are not the best, then they may not qualify for any award.
Which schools offer scholarships or bursaries?
SA Bursaries has compiled a list of funding offered for primary school learners (please note that this list is being added to regularly, so please check back here soon):
St Peters School in Johannesburg offers 3 types of bursaries:
1. The General Bursary Fund for previously disadvantaged individuals, to attend St Peter’s Schools from Grade 3 to Grade 7
2. The Old Girls’ Legacy Bursary Fund for daughters or granddaughters of old girls who would like to attend St Peter’s in future years, but may be unable to pay the school fees
3. The Helen Atkinson Bursary Fund, to educate the children of St Peter’s support staff at a school outside of St Peter’s
SACS Junior School in Cape Town, offers a scholarship fund to at least 1 learner per year. The placement goes to a deserving boy from a disadvantaged background, whose family would otherwise be unable to afford a SACS education.
Curro Schools are located in all provinces across South Africa, as well as in Botswana and Namibia. Curro offers a few different school scholarship to help learners gain a high-quality education.
The German International School Cape Town offers a school fee rebate to parents who cannot afford the fees. The bursary is granted based on the academic performance of the learner and the financial situation of the family.
Saheti School in Johannesburg offer funding to students through the George Bizos SAHETI Scholarship and Bursary Fund (GBSSBF). The Scholarship and Bursary was established on the initiative of Advocate George Bizos and his initial financial contribution, to assist and attract learners of outstanding ability who are in financial need.
Highbury Preparatory School in Hillcrest, KwaZulu-Natal, offers a limited number of bursaries for Grades 5, 6 and 7. The bursary award is for a partial tuition fee remission.
The Hout Bay International School (HBIS) offers the CHELO Bursary Support Programme. CHELO is a registered NPO created in 2007 by a group of parents partnered with HBIS. School fees are contributed by HBIS, while CHELO funds all other direct (financial, social & educational) costs of the bursary.
Bishops Diocesan College in Cape Town, offers numerous bursaries, based on financial need and talent, and where possible, in partnership with outside sponsors. Limited funds are also available annually for financial assistance to families who are already at Bishops who are temporarily in need of assistance.
Kainon School in KwaZulu-Natal, offers a limited number of bursaries to all-rounded students who are in need of a financial assistance. The school offers limited and partial bursaries for each phase of schooling, tenable for each phase of the childs school career.
The Michael Mount Waldorf School in Johannesburg offers the Community Bursary Fund, to families with children currently enrolled in the school, who find themselves unable to meet the required school fees.
Rustenburg Girls’ Junior School (RGJS) in Cape Town, grants bursaries to assist and enable learners who are in financial need.
Durban Girls’ School in KwaZulu-Natal, offers scholarships and bursaries to female students at the Grade 8 level and are tenable for a students whole senior school career.
Limited and partial Academic, Sports & Music scholarships are available and are renewed, on the basis that the student maintains good academic results and is a worthy recipient.
Limited and partial bursaries are awarded on financial need and full financial disclosure is required.
New Hanover Preparatory School in KwaZulu-Natal, offers scholarships and bursaries.
Merit based scholarships are awarded to talented student who are not currently attending the school, who display exceptional talent in the Academic, Sporting and/or Cultural arenas. Scholarships are awarded to learners entering Grades 4, 5, 6 and 7.
Limited Bursaries are awarded annually to existing New Hanover Prep families requiring financial assistance with their fees.
Dainfern College in Johannesburg offers scholarships and bursaries.
Academic, Sporting, Cultural and All-rounder scholarships are awarded annually to talented current, or new students on the basis of the value they will bring to the High School.
A limited number of High School bursaries for Grade 8 are available for talented students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
Tips for applying for a school scholarship or bursary
- Apply early: It is vital that you are kept up-to-date on academic scholarships at least 2 years in advance. This allows you to have time to prepare your child to perform their absolute best in the entrance exam.
- Ensure that all your paperwork is correct: You may be required to provide document proof of everything – this can include your annual income to car payments. Ensure that you remain completely honest and transparent with the information you provide with the application.
- Look at how scholarships have been granted in the past: A good example is if your child is applying for a music or art scholarship – ensure that you focus on them passing their relevant exams with a distinction.
- Be realistic about your child’s abilities: Although your child may rank within the top 10% of their class at a public primary school, they will be competing against other students who are just as gifted, or even better. Be sure to approach each assessment with a “let’s try it out” attitude and avoid putting too much pressure on your child.
- Do not give up: If your child does not get a scholarship or bursary, be sure to try a few years later. There will be many opportunities for them to complete their studies at private institutions through an award.
- Always have a backup plan in place: There are numerous charitable trusts that aid families who fall on hard times due to unexpected financial hardships. Be sure to always consider what you could do should your child’s scholarship/ bursary be revoked.
Can my child’s scholarship or bursary be cancelled?
Students that receive bursaries based on family income and means testing are required to periodically prove that they still meet the criteria of the award. Should the families financial situation change for the better, the bursary award may be cancelled or reduced, so that it can be awarded to another financially deserving recipient. The school should give the family ample notice so they can make alternative arrangements.
Likewise, students who receive scholarships based on sporting, musical or academic ability, are required to prove that they are still worthy of the award.
Read our other tips and articles here:
Read our top tips on submitting your bursary application for the best chance of success.
Read our tips on how to write a bursary motivational letter here.
Read about how to prepare for a bursary interview here here.
Read about the various ways to get free education in South Africa.
Read about the National Benchmark Test (NBT) for University Entrance.
Are you following us on social media? We post our latest bursary opportunities and reminders of bursaries closing soon on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
This post was last updated in May 2023.
SA Bursaries wishes you the best of luck with your application! Please remember to SHARE this page with anyone you know who may be in need of bursary funding.