FNB Fund Bursary Programme

If you are someone that works hard at your academics but can't afford to study at a tertiary level, you might want to look into the FNB Fund Bursary Programme. It provides tertiary education access for learners who are academically capable but financially disadvantaged. An FNB Fund sponsored bursary administred by Studietrust is a partial bursary. The value of the bursary in 2012 is R39 425 per annum.

Eligility:

Although it is an open bursary programme, the following selection criteria apply:

Bursars must demonstrate academic potential;

Bursars must demonstrate financial need;

Applicants may not be excluded on the basis of race, gender or disability;

Applicants who have completed their matric / NSC more than two years prior to application will not be considered;

Bursars must be South African citizens;

There is a bias towards selecting female bursars;

There is a bias towards rural students and historically disadvantaged communities;

Funding may only be awarded for fulltime study;

It is the intention of the Fund to include people with a disability on the Programme; and

The Fund will consider support for students who are registered for undergraduate studies only, with the exception of Honours in Accounting which must include courses to enable the bursar to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.

Approved fields of study:

Students must fall into one of the following fields of study: Commerce, Science[1] or Engineering.

Students majoring in the following fields are eligible for bursary support:

Commerce:

Accounting;

Actuarial Science;

Auditing;

Economic & Management Sciences;

Economics;

Financial Management;

Investment Management;

Management;

Quantitative Finance;

Computer Science;

Information Systems;

Information Technology;

Statistics;

Finance;

Marketing;

Human Resources;

Law;

Psychology; and

Organisational Psychology.

Engineering:

Aeronautical Engineering;

Agricultural Engineering;

Building Technology;

Chemical Engineering;

Civil Engineering;

Construction Management;

Electrical Engineering;

Industrial Engineering;

Mechanical Engineering;

Mechatronics;

Metallurgical Engineering;

Mining Engineering;

Mining Survey; and

Architecture.

Sciences:

Mathematical Statistics;

Business Information Technology;

Computer Engineering;

Computer Science;

Information Systems;

Information Technology;

Software Development;

Actuarial Science;

Statistics;

Mathematics.

Academic selection criteria:

Only applicants who have obtained the following marks in the June/final examination of their Grade 12 year will be considered:

B Com / B Business Science:

• A minimum of 60% in Mathematics;
• A minimum of 60% in English.

Engineering:

• A minimum of 60% in Mathematics;
• A minimum of 60% in English; and
• A minimum of 60% in Physical Science.

BSc:

• A minimum of 60% in Mathematics;
• A minimum of 60% in English; and
• A minimum of 60% in Physical Science.

Instructions for submission of application forms:

Applications will only be considered if completed in full and if all the supporting documents have been included and signed by the applicant. Documents that accompany the application form must be certified:

• A copy of your mid-year/June examination results. If you are not studying this year, send a copy of your latest exam results, together with an explanation of what you are doing this year. This is essential as the exam results play an important role in the selection process.
• Matric/NSC results: If you have already completed matric/NSC, include your results, together with your latest tertiary (June) results. This is compulsory for all tertiary students.
• Two testimonials: One testimonial from a responsible educational official, e. g. your principal or lecturer and the other by a community, political or spiritual leader. Use the testimonial forms in the application form or attach suitable testimonials.
• Write an essay on your life on the page included. Use additional pages if necessary. This must be written by you. Your parent, guardian or friend may write a letter of recommendation.
• Proof of salaries* of parent(s), guardian or spouse (*e.g. payslip, letter from employer, sworn statement or tax return statement).
• A copy of your South African ID.

NB: Please apply timeously for admission to the university of technology of your choice. Consult the website of the relevant universities of technology for their application deadlines. Career advice is available from SAQA Career Advice Services: Helpline Number: 0860 111 673; or sms / email your question to 0722045056 / help@careerhelp.org.za.

When completing the application form, please clearly specify the exact degree programme for which you need a bursary, the name of the educational institution where you plan to study (University of Cape Town) and the year of study.

Changing your degree programme after submitting your application form may lead to a cancellation of the bursary, if granted.

No bursaries are available for private tertiary institutions.

Application procedure:

Applicants can request a hardcopy application form to be sent by e-mail or surface mail.

For receiving an application form by e-mail, please request one in one of the following ways:

• sms the word STUDY and your surname, initials and e-mail address to 31022. Standard rates apply.
• send an e-mail message (“Please send me a bursary application form”) to apply@studietrust.org.za.
• download an application form from this link.

For requesting a hardcopy application form to be sent to you by surface mail, you may select any of the following methods:

• sms the word STUDY and your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to 31022. Standard rates apply.
• send an e-mail message with your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to apply@studietrust.org.za
• send a letter with your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to:

The National Director
Study Trust
PO Box 29192
Melville
2109.

Closing dates:

The closing date for requesting an application form is 31 August 2012.

The closing date for submitting your completed application form with all supporting documents is 30 September 2012. This deadline applies to all modes of application.

Acknowledgement of receipt:

Studietrust (the FNB Fund’s bursary administrator) receives thousands of application forms each year and it is therefore not possible for us to acknowledge receipt of all completed forms. All applications will be considered and selection will take place from September to December. All applicants will be notified of the outcome not later than 31 December.

Contact Studietrust if you need more information: e-mail: apply@studietrust.org.za

[1] The natural sciences are not included.