The HCI Foundation's bursary applications have opened for the 2023 academic year.
The HCI Foundation awards bursaries to new candidates at the Honours and Post-graduate Diploma levels at the institutions mentioned below, as well as to current bursary recipients who will be returning to school in 2023.
When does it open?
The application period is from August 1, 2022, through September 30, 2022.
Who qualifies?
South African nationals, refugees, and asylum seekers who meet the requirements can apply:
- The 2023 continuation of their undergraduate studies at a public university or university of technology in South Africa by current HCI Foundation bursary holders.
- Less than R38 000 should be the monthly gross family income.
- Age 35 or younger on September 30, 2022.
Applicable institutions
- University of Cape Town
- University of the Western Cape
- University of Stellenbosch
- University of KwaZulu-Natal
- University of Pretoria
- University of Witwatersrand
- University of Johannesburg
- Rhodes University
- Nelson Mandela University
- University of the Free State
- North-West University
How to apply
There won't be any paper application forms accessible. You are urged to allow enough time to finish the application online because the application form cannot be downloaded. Nevertheless, you have the option to start, stop, save, and continue your application at any point in the process.
You can apply by clicking here or the button below.
What you need to apply
- You must have a working email address
- You must have an active cell phone number
- You must have a student number if you are applying for your second year of study or higher
- You must have proof of the exact amount of your parents’ or guardians’ monthly income
What does the bursary cover?
The HCI Foundation bursary is a partial bursary that covers 75% of a student’s tuition fees up to R38 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 receiving 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 got an NSFAS loan, other loans or another bursary?
You may still be eligible for an HCI Foundation bursary even if you are a recipient of a loan or a partial bursary from elsewhere.
However, we will withdraw our bursary if a student receives a full-cost bursary 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 masters' or PhD studies?
No. The Foundation does not fund Masters' or PhD studies.
The Foundation funding is limited at the 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 potential employers require. Only the HCI Foundation bursary recipients qualify to participate in this programme by sending their CVs and motivational letter 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.