WITS UNIVERSITY FUNDING OPTIONS:
Undergraduate funding
- University Entrance Scholarship
- These scolarships are awarded to students on the basis of the NSC admission point score (APS), these are all calculated excluding Life Orientation:
If you have an APS of 51 or above - R42000.
If you have an APS between 48 and 50 - R30000
If you have an APS between 45 and 47 - R15000
If you have an APS between 43 and 44 - R10000
- Vice-Chancellor's Scholarship
- This scholarship of approximately R50 000, is offered to the top 10 most outstanding matriculants
- The scholarship can be renewed for the duration of the undergrad degree, depending on the academic performance of the student
- The scholarship is automatically offered after registration, no application is required
- The main subjects that are considered are: English, Mathematics and Physical Science. The next best subjects are then chosen.
- Equality Scholarships
- This is awarded to the top 10 students in Quintile 1 and Quintile 2 schools
- This scholarship covers: tuition, accommodation and a monthly stipend.
- In order to qualify, you must be: a South African citizen, writing National Senior Certificate (NSC) and you must accept your offer to study at Wits.
Postgraduate funding
Postgraduate Merit Award
- Honours: 70% Average in 3rd year of an Undergraduate Degree
- Masters: 75% Average in Honours, 4th Year of a professional degree or PG Diploma
- PhD: Masters submission must be done within 2 years full time and 3 years part time
These scholarships are awarded to eligible students, it is not necessary to apply for this funding.
EXTERNAL FUNDING OPTIONS
ISFAP Funding: The Ikusasa Student Financial Aid Programme (ISFAP) is government initiative to provide financial assistance to very poor, poor and “missing middle" students. Read our article on ISFAP here.
ISFAP will only cover the following qualifications:
- BCom in Accounting
- Bachelor of Economic Science in Actuarial Science
- BCom General
- BCom Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE)
- Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
- Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering
- Bachelor of Medicine
- Bachelor of Arts in Speech and Hearing
- BSC (Maths of Finance)
- BSc (Statistics and Actuarial Science)
Department of Labour Bursaries: Students with disabilities qualify for (apart from any other bursaries) for bursaries from the Department of Labour and are required to apply directly at the Department for these bursaries.
Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme: Bursaries are available to enable eligible students to complete a teaching qualification in an area of national priority. Read more on the Funza Lushaka Bursary Scheme here.
NSFAS: NSFAS offers fully subsidized free higher education and training for poor and working class South Africans where there is up to R350,000 household income per year. This bursary includes tuition fees, learning materials allowances, transport allowances and living allowances. More information can be found here.
Fundi: Fundi offers students loans to fund their studies. Visit their website here for more information.
Feenix: This is a student programme that uses the process of fundraising in order to help students fund their studies. Read our article on Feenix here.
Banks: Many South African banks offer loans for students looking to fund their studies. Read our article to find out which banks offer student loans.
For further financial assistance, go visit the Financial Aid office at your campus.
For funding separate from your university and their Financial Aid office, you can visit the Bursaries Portal to see which bursaries are available to you as a student.
