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The FNB Fund Bursary Programme provides tertiary education access for learners who are academically capable but financially disadvantaged. An FNB Fund sponsored bursary administered by Studietrust is a partial bursary. The value of the bursary in 2013 is R39,425 per annum.
 
Eligibility 
Although it is an open bursary programme, the following selection criteria apply:
1.       Bursars must demonstrate academic potential;
2.       Bursars must demonstrate financial need;
3.       Applicants may not be excluded on the basis of race, gender or disability;
4.       Applicants who have completed their matric / NSC more than two years prior to application will not be considered;
5.       Bursars must be South African citizens;
6.       There is a bias towards selecting female bursars;
7.       There is a bias towards rural students and historically disadvantaged communities;
8.       Funding may only be awarded for full time study;
9.       It is the intention of the Fund to include people with a disability on the Programme; and
10.     The Fund will consider support for students who are registered for undergraduate studies only, with the exception of Honours in Accounting which must include courses to enable the bursar to qualify as a Chartered Accountant.
 
Approved fields of study
1.       Students must fall into one of the following fields of study: Commerce, Science[1] or Engineering. Students majoring in the following fields are eligible for bursary support: 
 

Academic selection criteria:
Only applicants who have obtained the following marks in the June / final examination of their Grade 12 year will be considered:

◊ B Com / B Business Science:
·         A minimum of 60% in Mathematics
·         A minimum of 60% in English
◊ Engineering:
·         A minimum of 60% in Mathematics
·         A minimum of 60% in English
·         A minimum of 60% in Physical Science
◊ BSc:
·         A minimum of 60% in Mathematics
·         A minimum of 60% in English
·         A minimum of 60% in Physical Science

Instructions for submission of application forms
Applications will only be considered if completed in full and if all the supporting documents have been included and signed by the applicant. Documents that accompany the application form must be certified:

1.    A copy of your mid-year/June examination results.  If you are not studying this year, send a copy of your latest exam results, together with an explanation of what you are doing this year. This is essential as the exam results play an important role in the selection process.
2.    Matric/NSC results: If you have already completed matric/NSC, include your results, together with your latest tertiary (June) results. This is compulsory for all tertiary students.
3.    Two testimonials: One testimonial from a responsible educational official, e. g. your principal or lecturer and the other by a community, political or spiritual leader. Use the testimonial forms in the application form or attach suitable testimonials.
4.    Write an essay on your life on the page included. Use additional pages if necessary. This must be written by you. Your parent, guardian or friend may write a letter of recommendation.
5.    Proof of salaries* of parent(s), guardian or spouse (*e.g. payslip, letter from employer, sworn statement or tax return statement).
6.    A copy of your South African ID.

NB: Please apply timeously for admission to the university of technology of your choice. Consult the website of the relevant universities of technology for their application deadlines. Career advice is available from SAQA Career Advice Services: Helpline Number: 0860 111 673; or sms / email your question to 0722045056 /  This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

When completing the application form, please clearly specify the exact degree programme for which you need a bursary, the name of the educational institution where you plan to study (University of Cape Town) and the year of study.
Changing your degree programme after submitting your application form may lead to a cancellation of the bursary, if granted.
No bursaries are available for private tertiary institutions.

Application procedure
Applicants could either complete the online application form or request a hardcopy application form to be sent by e-mail or surface mail. 
·         For applying online, please this link. Indicate in the relevant space that you are applying for a Peregrine bursary. 
·         For receiving an application form by e-mail, please request one in one of two ways: 
o   sms the word STUDY and your surname, initials and e-mail address to 31022. Standard rates apply. 
o   send an e-mail message (“Please send me a bursary application form”) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 
·         download an application form from the Studietrust website. 
·         For requesting a hardcopy application form to be sent to you by surface mail, you may select any of the following methods: 
o   sms the word STUDY and your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to 31022. Standard rates apply. 
o   send an e-mail message with your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . 
o   send a letter with your surname, initials, postal address and postal code to: The National Director, Studietrust, PO Box 29192, Melville, 2109. 

Closing dates:
·    The closing date for requesting an application form is 31 August. 
·    The closing date for submitting your completed application form with all supporting documents is 30 September. This deadline applies to all modes of application. 

Acknowledgment of receipt
Studietrust (the FNB Fund’s bursary administrator) receives thousands of application forms each year and it is therefore not possible for us to acknowledge receipt of all completed forms. All applications will be considered and selection will take place from September to December. All applicants will be notified of the outcome not later than 31 December.

Contact Studietrust if you need more information: 
e-mail: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

[1] The natural sciences are not included.