ASSET Bursary Application Form for New & Renewal Applicants

Nothing is more heartbreaking for a hard-working student to give up on his dream of higher education because of their financial conditions. In such times, bursaries provide a ray of hope by which deserving students can live their dream of being a highly-qualified person without stressing about educational expenses. ASSET bursary is one of the leading bursary programs functioning in South Africa to empower students who come from financially unstable backgrounds by assisting them financially and bearing the cost of their education.

There is no need to worry if you cannot apply for higher degree programs because of your financial conditions. You can get financial help from the ASSET bursary and achieve your dream degree. However, not everyone can get this bursary, which is why we are here today.

In this blog, we will share all the details about the ASSET bursary, from its introduction to eligibility criteria and application process to help deserving students apply for the bursar effortlessly. Continue reading if you are interested in learning about this bursary.

Let’s start today’s journey with a short introduction to this bursary. The Association of Educational Transformation (ASSET) is a non-profit organization formed in January 2003 in Western Cape, South Africa. It is not a new organization; ASSET has previously worked with the wing of SAIRR (South African Institute of Race Relations), which financially supports needy students.

This might surprise you, but ASSET is now working as an independent organization, and according to some reports, it assists approximately 500 students each year. It only selects students with poor financial conditions who can not pay their tuition fees. However, not everyone who can’t afford higher education can get this bursary as it has standard criteria, and to receive the bursary amount, one should fulfill that criterion.

Bursary Amount

The bursary amount may vary depending on the degree program, institute, etc., but usually covers the portion of tuition fees and books. Moreover, the grant is not handed over to the students. Instead, it is directly sent to the university where the student is enrolled.

This organization aims to support Western Cape students who can not pay their academic expenditures. ASSET receives funds from local and national organizations and even from international organizations.

The ASSET recipient receives funds for the undergraduate program, but a student must maintain excellent academic progress to keep receiving the educational funding and reapply each year. Those who wish to get the bursary must fulfill the eligibility criteria yearly and are selected only on merit and financial needs.

Only selected candidates receive the funds from all the bursary applications ASSET receives. The selection committee meeting is held in January each year, and after carefully evaluating each application, the committee selects the best candidates for the bursary.

Mind that the selected student will be contacted at the end of February, and if you do not get any update regarding the bursary by the end of February, there is a high chance that your application will not be approved. Here is the good news for the selected candidates: they can study at any university or university of technology in the Western Cape.

Furthermore, you do not have to repay the organization for the bursary, meaning students can continue their higher studies without worrying about earning and returning the educational funds they get from ASSET. The only condition one has to fulfill by receiving this educational grant is to join the ASSET Alumni Association and give back as a volunteer during one’s studies or after graduation. Additionally, every selected ASSET bursary candidate must complete at least 100 voluntary hours.

Eligibility Criteria

Are you interested in applying for this bursary? If yes, then you must meet the eligibility criteria for the approval of the ASSET bursary, as no application is approved if anyone fails to satisfy the eligibility criteria set by the organization.

I applied for the bursary program last year, and here are the criteria one should fulfill to receive the grant. Read the points below carefully before applying for this bursary.

• An applicant must be a South African citizen.
• You must be a resident of the Western Cape.
• One should meet the requirements of the university for the field of your choice.
• You must study at any university in the Western Cape because this bursary program is only for the Western Cape’s underprivileged, deserving students.
• You must be studying full-time in the undergraduate program.
• An applicant must not have lost NSFAS financial support due to a poor academic record because maintaining an impressive academic background is the key to this bursary.
• You must maintain an excellent academic record.

Bursary Preferences

As I mentioned earlier, this bursary focuses on fostering deserving students with excellent academics. Still, from all deserving applicants, ASSET prefers students who are in dire need of financial funding to support education. Here is a list of priority conditions that apply to ASSET bursary applications.

• Preference will be given to students with financial problems.
• Students from rural areas with restricted access to education will be given priority.
• Students with excellent attendance records are preferred over those with mediocre or poor academic performance.
• Furthermore, preference will be given to those students who have been part of the ASSET Learner Development Programme.

Application Process

The application process for new or first-time users differs from the renewal applicant. Do not worry; we will guide you. Try to submit clear, certified copies of all the required documents, as any missing document can lead to the failure of the application and your application will be rejected immediately.

Process for First-Time Applicants

Those who have never applied for the bursary before should follow the steps below to submit their application. Here you go.

• Download the new applicant application form.
• Fill out your information to complete the form.

After filling out the application form, you need to submit it. Ensure you provide the following documents with it, as your application will be rejected if you fail to provide them.

• A certified copy of your ID Card.
• Certified copy of the mid-year result. Try to submit the final result as soon as it is available to get the bursary benefits.
• Certified copy of full academic transmission (if you are a 2nd /3rd or final year student).
• A certified copy of household income will help the organization analyze your financial conditions.
• Certified copy of proof of SASSA grant if receiving any social grant.
• A motivational letter stating why you will be considered for this grant.
• Any contactable reference who knows you well (Not your school Principal).

Process for Renewal Applicant

• Download the application form (Renewal) .
• Fill in all the required information to complete the form.
• Provide the supporting documents with your application and submit them.

For those who have no idea what documents you need to provide along with the application, the following information is for you. You must bring certified copies of your ID card, mid-year results from your institute, household income, proof of SASSA grant if receiving any social grant, and a motivational letter stating why you will be considered for this grant.

You can also provide any contactable reference who knows you well. Once your application form is complete and you have all the supporting documents, you must submit the bursary application form.

You must be wondering what the application submission process is, right? You can submit the application applications using one of the following methods. Keep in mind that applications sent by fax will not be considered.

Send an email to [email protected] to submit your bursary application. Don’t forget to write “ASSET Bursary Application 2024” in the email subject line.

If you want to send your bursary application via mail, you need to take out the prints of the application and the required document. For post or by-hand delivery, send it to the below-mentioned address.

Bursary Department

Association for Educational Transformation (ASSET)

5 Long Street

Mowbray

7700

Western Cape

Contact Details

You can contact them directly if you have any queries or need any information. I am providing you with the contact details below. It’s better to give them a call before visiting the office.

• Phone number: +27 (0)21 685 1025
• Email: [email protected]
• Website: https://www.asset.org.za/programmes/bursary-programme/
• Address:

Bursary Department

Association for Educational Transformation (ASSET)

5 Long Street

Mowbray

7700

Western Cape

FAQs

What is an ASSET bursary?

It is an educational funding program provided to students who can not afford higher education.

How can I get a bursary?

Anyone who wishes to get a bursary should maintain an excellent academic record and need financial help to accomplish a degree. Besides financial conditions, those good at extra-curricular activities and residents of a particular area can also get the bursary.

Do bursaries pay?

Bursaries pay for the educational expenses of a deserving student. Also, anyone who receives bursary amounts does not have to return the received amounts, unlike student loans.

Conclusion

Who doesn’t love achieving their academic goals and accomplishing a degree that gets them a step closer to their dream career? But sometimes, our financial conditions get in our way of becoming educated. ASSET bursary breaks the financial constriction chains of such individuals and helps them achieve their dream degrees.

In this article, we have covered everything about this bursary in detail. Follow the instructions mentioned in this article to apply for the bursary smoothly and avail this incredible opportunity to gain higher education and achieve your academic goals.