Over the last 15 years as a recruiter and a talent strategy consultant, I’ve come to realise that the best candidates, those with exceptional abilities and experience, usually exist in areas where others typically don’t look. The same thing goes for bursaries, especially South African hidden bursaries. Most students will target the most well-publicised and well-funded bursaries, creating a funnel of extreme competition.
However, the smart applicant is aware of the potential of market inefficiencies and therefore looks for opportunities that provide the greatest value while being least visible. From a recruiter’s standpoint, a candidate who successfully secures a niche bursary demonstrates resourcefulness, specialisation, and the ability to perform extensive research, three qualities that recruiters believe to be among the top professional competencies.
“Hidden” bursaries, as described above, are not unknown; rather, they are under-targeted, mis-marketed, or require a level of proactivity that most students are not willing to undertake. Therefore, the next logical steps would be to explain where we can locate these “hidden” bursaries and how we can position ourselves as ideal candidates for these types of bursaries.
Strategic Reasoning — Why These South African Hidden Bursaries Remain Under-Tapped
Before we go searching for these types of bursaries, we need to understand why they remain overlooked by so many other students.
Specificity of Focus — Bursaries are created for individuals pursuing degrees in specific disciplines such as textile manufacturing or waste management. In order to effectively compete for these bursaries, students must demonstrate that their area of focus matches that of the bursary sponsor.
If a student is studying in an area that is aligned with the bursary sponsor’s goals, then they have likely reduced their competition to hundreds rather than thousands of other applicants.
Limited Marketing Budget — National campaigns like the NSFAS are funded with large amounts of money. Smaller organisations, such as a professional association or a municipality, do not have the resources to fund expensive marketing efforts. Therefore, they rely on word-of-mouth, social media, and direct mail marketing efforts, none of which are as effective at reaching large numbers of students.
A student must put in some effort to discover these bursaries, which will inherently eliminate many of the less motivated students from competing for these bursaries.
Common Misconceptions — A large number of students will self-select themselves out of consideration for bursaries due to preconceived notions regarding the qualifications required for a particular bursary.
Many times, however, the qualifications for these bursaries are much more flexible and considerate of students’ unique circumstances than what the student initially assumed. Therefore, there is potential for many more students to receive bursary support than they currently assume.
Underutilised Bursary Options — The Recruiters’ Perspective
Below are five examples of bursary options that represent the largest amount of strategic opportunity for applicants.
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Bursaries and Opportunities Offered by the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETAs) Can Be a Gamechanger
Recruiter’s Viewpoint: Although SETAs are primarily known for offering learnership opportunities, they also offer individual bursaries to students. A bursary from the Fibre Processing and Manufacturing (FP&M) SETA or the Energy and Water SETA (EWSETA), for example, provides more than just funding to the recipient; it also serves as certification that the recipient is a skilled professional in a specialised, high-demand field.
To a recruiter, this represents a higher level of industry-specific commitment than the generalist can provide.
Why they are under-tapped: Students tend to focus on the major SETA portals and assume that these portals include links to all SETA bursary funding.
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Bursaries Offered by Professional Associations
Recruiter’s Viewpoint: Membership in a professional association provides a student with access to a network of peers, mentors, and potential employers.
Additionally, a bursary from the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) or the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), for example, sends a message to both current and future employers that the student is committed to becoming a member of their professional association and adhering to its standards. This type of early networking is essential.
Why they are under-tapped: One of the main reasons that students fail to apply for these bursaries is that they believe that membership in the association is limited to qualified professionals and not to students.
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Bursaries Offered by Municipalities and Local Governments
Recruiter’s Viewpoint: A bursary offered by a municipality such as Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality or uMgungundlovu District Municipality demonstrates that the student is not only interested in pursuing a career in the public service sector but is also committed to developing the economy of their home district.
Employers who work for companies that operate in a variety of different geographic locations will view a student who receives a bursary from a municipality as having roots and connections in that region.
Why they are under-tapped: These bursaries are often posted on bulletin boards at city halls, libraries, and community centres, which are places that students rarely visit.
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Bursaries for Agricultural and Environmental Studies
Recruiter’s Viewpoint: The agri-tech and environmental sustainability industries are growing rapidly. A bursary from the South African Sugar Association (SASA) or the WWF Nedbank Green Trust demonstrates that a student understands the importance of food security and conservation, and is interested in working in a sector that is increasingly important to society. This type of interest and expertise is viewed positively by employers.
Why they are under-tapped: Many students assume that bursaries for agricultural and environmental studies are only available to students from rural communities, when in fact many of these bursaries are open to students from all walks of life.
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Bursaries for Non-Traditional Students
Recruiter’s Viewpoint: As someone who has hired people before, I have always looked for candidates who have taken non-traditional routes. Often, these candidates bring a lot of life experience to the table, including the ability to manage their time, be resilient, and understand the value of hard work and determination.
Organisations like the Rural Education Access Program (REAP) and bursaries for mature students actively recruit candidates who fit this profile. When applying for these bursaries, a student should highlight his/her non-traditional path as an asset, emphasising the personal strengths, work ethic, and sense of purpose that their non-traditional path has instilled in them.
Why they are under-tapped: Most bursary marketing focuses on the 18-year-old student who is finishing high school, leaving non-traditional students without a fair shot.
Developing a Process to Find Bursaries That Are Not Well Known to Other Students
Finding bursaries that are under-tapped is not a matter of luck. Rather, finding bursaries that are under-tapped requires a systematic and methodical approach to researching opportunities.
Using Advanced Search Techniques: Once you begin to research bursaries, you should use advanced search techniques to find bursaries that are not listed on major bursary websites.
Some ways to use advanced search techniques include using multiple keywords in your searches, using quotes to ensure that the exact words are included in the results, and using a combination of general and specific terms.
Here are a few examples of advanced search strategies you can use:
- Use a string of keywords that includes the name of the professional association, the student’s field of study, and the word “bursary”.
Example: “professional association” + “[your field of study]” + “bursary”
- Use a string of keywords that includes the name of the municipality, the student’s district, and the word “student funding”.
Example: “municipality” + “[your district]” + “student funding”
- Use a string of keywords that includes the name of the industry, the phrase “skills development”, and the word “bursary”.
Example: “industry” + “skills development” + “bursary South Africa”
Engaging Directly With Professional Organisations: There are many professional organisations that provide bursaries to students. While browsing their websites may yield information about their bursaries, contacting them directly via e-mail may provide information that is not publicly available. Consider sending a brief, professional e-mail to the organisation stating that you are a student affiliate and asking whether they provide any bursaries or financial assistance to students in your field of study.
An example of such an email follows:
“Dear [Name], I am a second-year [your field of study] student at [your university]. I am also a student affiliate of your organisation. I was wondering if you have any bursaries or financial assistance programs available to students in my field of study.”
Engaging Physically with Community Resources: There are still many resources available in our communities that students may not utilise regularly.
Examples include visiting the local municipal office and checking the bursary postings on the bulletin board, and visiting the local library and checking the postings in the community section of the newspaper. These sources of information may lead to bursaries that are not advertised online.
Real Life Examples of Success: Applying a Strategic Mindset to Obtain a Bursary
Case Study #1: The Sugar Industry Surprise — Sipho did not merely read about the bursary; he made a follow-up phone call to ask additional questions. This follow-up effort demonstrated initiative. The bursary award he received covered his tuition and provided him with an internship, all of which he was able to secure through a single phone call.
Case Study #2: The Municipal Lifeline — Despite receiving only a 58% grade point average, Thandi was awarded a bursary from the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality. This example illustrates an important point: local governments often prioritise community development and commitment to their district over academic achievement.
Thandi’s story is an example of her willingness to learn about the bursary sponsor’s values and priorities.
Conclusion: The Competitive Advantage of a Student Who Pursues Undervalued Bursaries
There are many opportunities for funding that remain unexploited by students who are not willing to pursue bursaries that are not widely known or publicised. Most students will only apply for bursaries that are heavily promoted through national campaigns or through bursary search engines. As a result, many bursaries remain unfunded.
A student who is willing to pursue these undervalued bursaries creates a competitive advantage for himself/herself by providing evidence to potential employers that he/she is proactive, resourceful, and willing to think strategically.
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