2025 HCI Foundation Bursary Programme

HCI Foundation bursaries are primarily for our current bursary recipients who will be returning to university in 2025, and new applicants at Honours and Post-graduate Diploma level at the institutions listed below.

Institutions we support

1. University of Cape Town
2. University of the Western Cape
3. University of Stellenbosch
4. University of KwaZulu-Natal
5. University of Pretoria
6. University of Witwatersrand
7. University of Johannesburg
8. Rhodes University
9. Nelson Mandela University
10. University of the Free State
11. North-West University

What does the bursary cover?

The HCI Foundation bursary is a partial bursary that covers the student’s tuition fees up to R40 000 per annum. We do not give allowances for living expenses, books, residence, meals or transport (except in special circumstances).

**Please note that we do not pay for repeat years of study or repeat modules.

How and when do we pay?

Payments happen around July of each year. We pay directly into the student’s fee account at institutions of study. We do not pay students directly.

What are the conditions of our bursary?

The HCI Foundation bursary is free, and we do not require bursary recipients to repay their bursaries EXCEPT in special circumstances where

• The student failed their studies due to a proven lack of commitment and did not inform the Foundation in advance about their circumstances.
• The student is intentionally unwilling to participate in the bursary programme activities during and after they have completed their studies.
• The student provided false/inaccurate information to unduly receive the bursary.

The Foundation does expect bursary recipients to give back by engaging with community projects, reporting back to the HCI Foundation through tutoring and mentoring programmes and volunteering in their communities.

In addition, bursary recipients are required to attend workshops and complete surveys during their academic year and after completing their studies.

Can the student apply if he/she has an NSFAS loan, other loans or another bursary?

You may still be eligible for an HCI Foundation bursary even if you are the recipient of a loan or a partial bursary from elsewhere.

However, we will withdraw our bursary if a student receives a full-cost or a significantly large partial bursary from another donor. The withdrawn bursary will be allocated to another deserving student.

Students with large partial bursaries and those with full-cost bursaries are required to inform the HCI Foundation of their status or to decline our bursary by sending an email to bp@hcifoundation.co.za

Does the Foundation cover master’s or PhD studies?

No. The Foundation does not fund Master’s or PhD studies.

The Foundation funding is limited to Honours and Postgraduate Diploma levels of studies.

Does the Foundation assist with internships or employment?

The foundation runs a Graduate Development Programme that seeks to close the work experience gap that is required by potential employers. Only the HCI Foundation bursary recipients qualify to participate in this programme by sending their CVs and motivational letters to alumni@hcifoundation.co.za for consideration when there are opportunities available. It must be noted that this programme does not guarantee graduates employment or internship opportunities. However, opportunities are shared with graduates once they become available. Graduates are encouraged to stay in touch with the Foundation and inform us of their employment or studies progress regularly.