FINANCIAL AID

#ItsAllAboutTheStudent

Financial Aid sits at the heart of the University as our key role is to support students by coordinating funding between themselves, the University and Funders. We provide administrative and advisory support to students.

SPU does not offer loans, students apply directly to Funders.

Part of our role is to encourage prospective and current students to apply for as many funding opportunities as possible.

Although we do not actively seek funding for students, we do ensure that the administration process is seamless once a student is awarded a bursary.

Application submissions are assessed and evaluated by Funders based on their own criteria and the information provided by the student. An application for funding does not guarantee funding to students, Funders will communicate with successful recipients.

Explanation of funding terminology

Bursaries are the awarding of funding to academically and financially deserving students.
Loans are money borrowed to cover educational fees.
Scholarships are usually offered to students who excel academically in their studies.
Sponsorship is a recipient of financial support.

What documents are required to apply for funding

Below is a checklist with standard documents which are usually required for any funding opportunity:

Identity document
Matric certificate
Latest academic transcript
Household income of both parents/legal guardian e.g. payslips; affadavits; confirmation letter from SASSA; court order as supporting document of legal guardianship.
Identity documents of parents/guardian
Death certificate of parents
Proof of all household members (ID documents, birth certificates)
Testimonial or motivational letter

Available Bursaries

POSTGRADUATE MERIT BURSARY AWARD FOR 2026

Eligibility Requirements:

• Minimum average of 65% in the relevant previous degree

• Full-time, unemployed student status

• Commitment to faculty service requirements (6-8 hours per week)

Closing Date: 28 February 2026

Full eligibility criteria, award conditions, and the application form are available here: https://bit.ly/48P7qi6

For queries, contact pga@spu.ac.za

SA BURSARIES

SA Bursaries is South Africa’s largest bursary site.

Their goal is to find as many bursary opportunities as possible throughout South Africa, and publish these all in one place so that students can have access to funding opportunities, which they may not have known about.

Click here to visit their website.

Funza Lushaka Bursary

Bursary applications are now open for the 2026 Academic year.

New applications close on 24 January 2026.

Re-applications for Existing/Returning Bursars close on 30 November 2025.

To access, register and apply for the Funza Lushaka Bursary, click here.

NB: Please ensure that you familiarise yourself with the bursary terms and conditions.

Valuable Bursary Information

NSFAS (National Student Financial Aid Scheme)

NSFAS provides funding to students from disadvantaged families and it funds studies from most academic programmes.

For general enquiries, contact:

Tel: 0860 067 327

Email: info@nsfas.org.za

FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY

Funza Lushaka is only applicable to those students that intend to enrol for the Bachelor of Education degrees. This Funder enables eligible students to complete a teaching qualification in an area of national priority.

For a full description of the Funza Lushaka Priorities offered by the Department of Basic Education and for further application information, visit the Funza Lushaka website here.