Hey there, future changemakers! If you’re a South African student (or know one), listen up—August 2025 is packed with bursary deadlines that could be your ticket to a degree without the financial headache. Whether you’re heading into university, postgrad studies, or still in high school, this guide has your back. Let’s explore the top opportunities closing this month, packed with friendly advice and insider tips to help your application shine.
Featured Bursaries & Deadlines
Here’s a curated list of standout bursaries with firm deadlines in August 2025—don’t let these slip by!
- At the very start of the month (1 August):
- Rhodes Trust Scholarship – Fully funded postgraduate scholarship to study at Oxford. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- UFS & Media24: Matriculant of the Year Bursary Competition – Great for ambitious Grade 12 students, with a bursary plus internship opportunity. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- Mid-month (by 15–18 August):
- Competition Tribunal Scholarship – For postgraduates in competition law or economics. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- Hortgro Bursary – Tailored for agricultural studies, especially horticulture and fruit production. NASI iSPANInstf.org.za
- IVANPLATS Bursary, LPFF (Legal Practitioners Fidelity Fund) – Focus on engineering/mining and future legal professionals, respectively. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- SANParks Bursary – Great if you’re into environmental science or conservation. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- Late-August (22–31 August):
- SBF High School Scholarship — Helps current high schoolers with tuition support. NASI iSPANIGauteng
- OMT (Oppenheimer Memorial Trust) Scholarship, Bigen Bursary, Liberty Bursary, FSCA Bursary for Students with Disabilities, Masakh’iSizwe, Momentum Group, Nedbank, Old Mutual’s OMET, PwC, Proxa Water, SAICA Thuthuka, SAADP, SACO, SARF, UFS Star of Stars, Vodacom Bursary – A wide range of fields (from finance to engineering to culture), check eligibility and apply by August 31. NASI iSPANIGauteng
Why This Matters—and Why You Should Act Now
Time’s ticking! Many of these bursaries are competitive, so applying early gives you an edge. Plus, as shared by both Nasi Ispani and Gauteng Tourism Authority, acting fast is crucial. NASI iSPANIGauteng Use this guide like your personal roadmap to prioritize the most relevant opportunities.
Pro Tips to Maximize Your Application Game
Let’s get you that funding:
- Prepare your documents early: Have your ID, certified academic results, proof of income, registration letters, and reference letters all prepped and organized. NASI iSPANI
- Craft tailored motivational letters: Go personal. Show who you are, why you’re passionate about the field, and how the bursary will help you grow. Generic won’t cut it. NASI iSPANI
- Avoid last-minute panic: Apply days before deadlines. Websites crash, emails go astray—don’t let technology trip you up. NASI iSPANI
- Apply to multiple bursaries: Cast a wider net without compromising on quality. Your odds go up with more solid applications. NASI iSPANI
Final Thoughts
So, there you have it—a vibrant and humanized look at bursaries closing in August 2025. From Rhodes Scholarships to bursaries in finance, engineering, conservation, and beyond, the opportunities are vast—but time is short.