Busary FAQs
Students falling within the R0 – R350 000 income band are mostly covered by NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme) but students in the R351 000 – R600 000 income band are the most vulnerable at this stage because their income levels are too high to qualify for NSFAS, but they cannot afford the cost of studying
As South Africa nears the end of a second year in the clutches of COVID-19, the sober reality of a “new normality” can increasingly befelt by all, especially our postgraduate cohort and students from the rest of Africa. Lesser funding sources are available for our postgraduates. This is also the unfortunatereality for many of our African students.
- Individuals wanting to give philanthropically can give us guidelines on where and how they want to support students.
- Corporates can generally support students via:
- Contract bursaries – bursaries with a work-back clause attached
- BEE scorecard points – companies support the University with bursaries to gain BEE points.
- General programme – companies allocate bursary support by means of an existing programme at the company.
Criteria for selection are provided by our funders and the University provides the funder with a list of nominations from where they can select students. The University can also do the selections on behalf of the funder.
Funds are paid over into a specific account with an allocated reference number. Proof of payment is shared with the Development Office and funds are allocated to a cost centre from where it is paid out to the student via their student fee account. No exchange of cash takes place.
There is the possibility for funders to receive an 18A tax certificate. There is the also the possibility for funders to gain BEE scorecard points.
Contact with students is arranged and facilitated by the University.
Cost of study vary per faculty, per degree and differ on whether the student lives privately or in residence. See breakdown of costings on our Types of Bursary Support page.
The University provides funders with bi-annual progress reports on the students they are supporting.
Donations are accepted at any time during the year.
Local or international donations can be done via our giving page, Ways to Give (sun.ac.za)
Yes, we do allow input into research topics but it will also depend on what the intention of the funder is in using the output of the research. If the output is sellable, we will need to consult the University’s intellectual property guidelines.
