If you are a high school student in South Africa or the parent of one, you may be worried about how you will pay for school fees, uniforms, books, and transport in 2026.
The good news is, there are bursaries available to help students in Grade 8 to Grade 12. These bursaries are for students who show academic strengths but come from families that cannot afford private or quality public education.
We have compiled a list of 20 bursaries secondary students can apply for to get educational support in 2026.
Many of these are open to South African students, while some focus on specific areas or schools.
Most of them offer full or partial financial support, and some include extra benefits like tutoring, mentoring, and leadership development.
Bursaries for High School Students In South Africa
1. Investec High School Bursary
Investec offers bursaries to high school students in Grades 10 to 12 who excel in Math, Science, and Accounting. Applicants must prove financial need and have strong academic results. The bursary covers tuition fees, stationery, transport, and extra academic support.
2. Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Scholarship
The Allan Gray Orbis Foundation Scholarship is for Grade 6 students applying for Grade 8. The foundation looks for future leaders and entrepreneurs. It covers school costs, uniforms, books, and leadership development camps.
3. SANRAL High School Scholarship
The South African National Roads Agency offers scholarships to Students from Grade 8 to 12. Applicants must have good results and come from families that struggle to pay school fees. The scholarship includes tuition, boarding, uniforms, transport, and learning materials.
4. Spirit Education Foundation Scholarship
The foundation provides full high school scholarships to Students entering Grade 8 in partner schools in Cape Town. Students are selected based on academic ability and financial need. The scholarship includes school fees and personal development support.
5. African Scholars Fund (ASF) Bursary
ASF supports students in grades 8 and 9 who attend public high schools. To qualify, students must show potential, be well-disciplined, and come from families with a combined income of under R10,000 per month. The bursary offers financial support of up to R1000 a year.
6. Barberton Mines Scholarship
Barberton Mines Scholarship is available to Students in Mpumalanga who want to attend Hoërskool Barberton. It targets Grade 8 and 9 Students with strong academic records. The bursary covers tuition and certain school-related costs.
7. SBF High School Scholarship
The Scholarship and Bursary Foundation offers high school bursaries for Students entering Grade 8. It’s mainly for Students from the Cape Town area. Students receive full funding to attend top schools and also get mentorship.
8. UCT Online High School Scholarship
The University of Cape Town runs an online high school for Grades 8 to 11. They offer bursaries to students from disadvantaged backgrounds who want to study online. Students need a stable internet connection and a quiet home study place.
9. MAD Leadership Foundation Bursary
MAD Leadership Foundation helps students from poor communities who show leadership and academic promise. They support students throughout high school and beyond. The bursary includes school fees, mentorship, and personal development.
10. Nova Pioneer Bursary
Nova Pioneer offers partial bursaries to students from Grade 1 to Grade 10. These bursaries are for families who need help covering school fees at Nova Pioneer private schools. Financial support ranges from 25% to 50% of tuition.
11. Tomorrow Trust Bursary
Tomorrow Trust supports orphans and vulnerable children through education and life skills training. The bursary includes school fees, holiday programmes, tutoring, and support for emotional and personal growth.
12. Ekapa High School Scholarship
Ekapa Mining offers this bursary to students in the Frances Baard District, Northern Cape. It supports students in Grades 10 to 12. Funding includes school costs, uniforms, and transport assistance.
13. Elsen Academy Legacy Trust Bursary
Elsen Academy Legacy Trust Bursary is for Students with barriers to learning, such as ADHD, dyslexia, or autism. It supports students from Grade 8 to Grade 10 who want to attend Elsen Academy in the Eastern Cape.
14. Enel Bursary
Enel Green Power funds high school Students who live near their operations in the Northern Cape, Western Cape, and Free State. The bursary covers tuition and basic school needs for Grades 8 to 12 students.
15. Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls
Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy gives full scholarships to girls entering Grade 8. The school is based in Gauteng and accepts top-performing girls nationwide. The scholarship covers everything, including accommodation, school fees, books, and more.
16. Toughees Bursary Competition
Toughees, the school shoe brand, runs a yearly bursary competition for Students in Grades 1 to 12. Winners receive money to pay their school fees. It’s a competitive bursary based on entry criteria set by the company.
17. Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship
The Siyandisa Foundation Scholarship is for Grade 12 students who have performed well academically and show leadership potential. It provides support for school costs and helps prepare students for life after Matric.
18. SAILI High School Scholarship
SAILI offers scholarships to Students entering Grade 8 in top public high schools in Cape Town. The programme supports academically strong students from low-income homes and provides extra support through high school.
19. Student Sponsorship Programme (SSP)
SSP places Students in top schools in Gauteng and Eastern Cape. It is for students entering Grade 8 and offers full bursaries, mentoring, and leadership camps. Applicants must apply in Grade 6.
20. Eastern Cape Department of Education Bursaries
Eastern Cape Department of Education offers bursaries for Students with high academic performance or special needs. Availability depends on yearly funding, so it’s best to check with local schools or district offices.
What to do When Applying for Bursaries
Apply early, most bursary applications open in the middle of the year and close by October or November. Start looking around June 2025 for 2026 bursaries.
Keep your academic marks up. Many bursaries want Students who try hard and do well in Maths, English, and Science.
Ensure you provide correct and honest information; this includes your parents’ income, school reports, and home address.
Ask your teachers or principal to help with the forms or references. They often know how to support you with your application.
Keep copies of all your documents. Most bursaries ask for the same things: your birth certificate, school report, and proof of household income.
Why These Bursaries Matter
Many families in South Africa cannot afford the full cost of high school, especially if they want their children to go to quality schools. These bursaries make it possible for bright and motivated students to succeed, even if their families struggle financially.
Some bursaries go beyond just paying for school. They also provide mentorship, extra lessons, leadership training, and career guidance. This kind of support can change a learner’s future.
There are many bursary options for high school students in South Africa. Whether you are in Grade 6 preparing for Grade 8, or already in high school, now is the time to start planning for 2026.
Look at the list above, visit each bursary website, and start applying. These opportunities can help you get the education you deserve. If you know someone else who needs this, share the information with them too.
If you want help preparing bursary applications or need guidance with deadlines and documents, please search through our FAQs. You can also seek guidance from our WhatsApp community group.