There is no single Fundi bursary with one fixed set of requirements. Fundi runs a Bursary Support Programme (BSP): companies and other funders use Fundi to advertise and manage their bursaries, and each funder sets its own eligibility criteria. So the Fundi bursary requirements you must meet are the ones listed on the specific opportunity you apply for.
What stays the same across these bursaries is the process. You find open opportunities on Fundi’s BSP portal, apply through a MyFundi account, and, if selected, Fundi administers the award for the funder, including paying your institution and loading allowances onto a FundiCard.
Eligibility Requirements at a Glance
Fundi describes its bursary fund management service as covering the whole process for the funder, from recruiting students to paying allowances. Funders design their own application forms, eligibility criteria and prescreening questions on the platform. In practice, that means:
- The funder’s criteria decide who qualifies. Field of study, year of study, academic results, citizenship and financial need are set per bursary, not by Fundi.
- You must apply to a listed opportunity. Fundi does not accept general bursary applications. If the BSP portal shows no open bursaries, there is nothing to apply for until a funder advertises one.
- Prescreening may come first. Funders can set screening questions, so expect to confirm the key criteria before the full application.
- A MyFundi account is needed to log in and apply on the portal.
- Age: the BSP site’s terms say users must be at least 18. Younger applicants should contact Fundi or the funder about how to apply.
Meeting a listing’s criteria makes you eligible to be considered. The funder, not Fundi, decides who is awarded, and competitive bursaries usually receive more eligible applicants than they can fund.
Income and Affordability Requirements
Fundi does not publish an income threshold for BSP bursaries. Where a bursary is aimed at students in financial need, the household income limit and the proof required are set by the funder and stated on the listing. Merit-based bursaries may have no income test at all.
Because you do not repay a bursary, Fundi does not run an affordability assessment on you. That assessment applies to Fundi’s loans. If you need to borrow instead, the rules are different and are set out in our Fundi student loan requirements guide.
Credit and Financial Requirements
Fundi lists no credit-record requirement for BSP bursaries, and applying for one does not create a debt. What you should look at instead is how the money is paid and what the funder expects in return:
- Payments go through Fundi’s closed-loop system. According to Fundi, tuition is paid directly to the institution, and allowances are loaded into separate “pockets” on a FundiCard for spending on food, textbooks and accommodation. Expect a card rather than cash.
- Funders can see how the money is used. The platform lets funders track spending and your academic progress, so keeping results up is part of keeping the bursary.
- Check for conditions. Some corporate bursaries come with a work-back or service commitment, or require you to repay the award if you drop out. Read the bursary agreement before you sign it.
Documents and Verification Required
Each listing states its own document list, so upload exactly what that bursary asks for. Bursaries in South Africa commonly request:
- A copy of your ID (certified, if the listing says so)
- Your latest academic results: Grade 11 or matric results for school leavers, or an academic record for current students
- Proof of acceptance, application or registration at your institution
- Proof of household income, where the bursary is means-tested
- A motivation letter or answers to the funder’s questions
Funders on the platform can verify applicants and connect with institutions’ systems to confirm registration, so information that does not match your institution’s records can delay or end your application.
How to Apply and Improve Approval Readiness
- Go to the bursaries list on Fundi’s BSP portal and check which opportunities are open. The same portal also lists internships and learnerships.
- Open the listing and check every criterion, the closing date and the document list before you start.
- Sign up for, or log in to, your MyFundi account and complete the application and screening questions.
- Upload clear, current documents and submit before the closing date.
- If you are selected, read and sign the bursary agreement, and set up the FundiCard for your allowances.
To give yourself the best chance, apply only to bursaries whose criteria you meet exactly, and check the portal regularly, because listings depend on funders advertising. Apply to other funding at the same time: NSFAS if your household income qualifies, and other bursaries in your field. Selected students also get Fundi’s wrap-around support, which Fundi says includes psychosocial support, tutoring, mentorship and soft skills training for the workplace.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fundi bursary?
It is not one bursary. “Fundi bursary” usually refers to bursaries advertised and managed through Fundi’s Bursary Support Programme on behalf of corporate and other funders. Each has its own criteria and value.
Where do I apply for a Fundi bursary?
On the Fundi BSP portal, under Bursaries. You need a MyFundi account to apply.
Why are there no bursaries on the Fundi portal?
The portal only shows bursaries that funders are currently advertising. When none are open, the list is empty. Check back regularly and apply to other funding in the meantime.
Does Fundi check my credit record for a bursary?
Fundi lists no credit check for its bursaries. Credit and affordability checks apply to Fundi’s student loans, which are a separate product that must be repaid.
How will I receive my bursary money?
According to Fundi, tuition is paid to your institution and allowances go into spending pockets on a FundiCard for food, textbooks and accommodation.
My company wants to offer a bursary through Fundi. Who do I contact?
Fundi asks corporates interested in its bursary support programme to email [email protected].
Bursary listings and criteria change with every intake, so confirm the details on the listing itself and with Fundi on 0860 55 55 44 or [email protected] before you apply. See loan requirements for repayable options and browse all finance and funding requirements.