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 Baccalaureus 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 the basic tuition fees (excluding module costs). 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 in April.
The following scale is applicable to first-year merit bursaries
| Matric average | % rebate on basic tuition fees (excluding module cost and/or programme cost)* |
| 90% or higher | up to 40% |
*Module cost and/or programme cost, which may include the following: materials fees, laboratory fees, travelling expenses, running costs, programme levy and the membership dues for any faculty-bound, academic societies, as applicable to a programme or module.
Important: Only students who completed their exam two or more years prior to the year in which they plan to join the University, as well as candidates who completed their exam outside the provincial education departments, are required to apply for these merit bursaries by submitting a certified copy of their matric certificate to the Undergraduate Bursary Office. The onus rests on the student to verify by June of the specific academic year in which they are entitled to a merit bursary to ensure that it reflects in their student fee account. The student will forfeit their claim to a merit bursary if it does not reflect in their account, and the student failed to notify the Centre by the end of August.
Senior Merit Bursaries
In respect of Senior Merit Bursaries, the criterion used is the weighted average of the exam results for the previous year of study. Senior Merit Bursaries are calculated as a percentage of basic tuition fees (excluding module costs and/or programme cost)*. As the allocation of these bursaries is an automatic, computerised process, students do not need to submit an application.
*Module cost and/or programme cost, which may include the following: materials fees, laboratory fees, travelling expenses, running costs, programme levy and the membership dues for any faculty-bound, academic societies, as applicable to a programme or module.
Senior merit bursaries are awarded to the top 5% per faculty. Qualifying students will receive a rebate of 20% on basic tuition fees (excluding module costs).
Criteria for merit bursaries:
Candidates for senior merit awards shall:
Important: The onus rests on the student to verify by June of the specific academic year in which they are entitled to a merit bursary to ensure that it reflects in their student fee account. The student will forfeit their claim to a merit bursary if it does not reflect in their account, and the student failed to notify the Centre by the end of August.
Cancellation or reduction of merit bursaries
US merit bursaries may not be kept in conjunction with a other bursary. The University reserves the right to decrease or cancel the offer accordingly.
The merit bursaries of students who discontinues their studies in the first semester, will be cancelled.
Merit bursaries to students that studied at other institutions
Students who studied at other institutions, do not qualify for First-year Merit Bursaries, but can be considered for Senior Merit Bursaries if their weighted average was 75% or higher. These students should submit their results to the Centre for Bursaries and Loans.
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 offers tuition loans for students from the missing middle household.
- Loans for the income group between R350 000 - R600 000 (subject to availability of funds)
- Households with income between R600 000 - R1 million with two / more children at a tertiary institution are also considered
- Interest-free loans repayable at the prime interest rate
- Only the tuition fee is covered by the US Loan (includes registration fee)
2. NSFAS BURSARY LOAN
Follow the NSFAS link: http://www.nsfas.org.za
- “Fully subsidized free higher education and training for poor and working class South Africans" - up to R350 000 household income per year
- Bursaries are available only for new first-time admitted students to undergraduate studies at public higher education institutions
- The bursary includes the following study costs: tuition, accommodation and books, cost allowance
- All bursary and loan applications administered by the University: 31 August
- Last
day to submit all documents: 11 September. 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
