Tiso Foundation Bursary 2025 Requirements & Application

The majority of South African students want to get higher education, but are unable to pay their university fees. If you see the statistics, students earn below the average income of a person in South Africa, and that’s why they have a hard time making both ends meet. All these students are looking for a beacon of hope, a source of assistance, or a way to continue their studies.

Tiso Foundation Bursary is that beacon of hope, that source of assistance, and a path that leads to success. It is a financial aid program that will help you throughout your degree, providing all the basic facilities, from tuition fees, transportation, accommodation, and study material. If you are having a hard time paying your university fees, come with me to learn how to apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary, see its eligibility criteria and required documents.

About Tiso Foundation Bursary

The way income and resources flow in our country is different from all the other African nations. Our country has suffered long years of colonialism and imperialism; therefore, our educational system does not function adequately. It supports a bunch of people with high incomes and have a large number of resources, but the majority of poor and lower middle class families are deprived of education.

If you observe the gap between young people and higher education, you will see that it is widening day by day because of rising inflation and unfavorable economic conditions. In such times of crisis, the Tiso Foundation Bursary serves as a bridge between a young education enthusiast and higher education. It provides opportunities for the people of South Africa to get free education and secure a respectable job in the government or private sector.

Tiso Foundation is a public benefit organization that was established in 2001. In the beginning, it helped people directly, but later, it enhanced the assistance programs and launched new bursary and scholarship programs for students to empower the youth of South Africa. All these programs aim to increase the number of educated people in the country in order to compete with our nations in the region.

Therefore, it is providing free education to students from all around South Africa. Tiso Foundation Bursary’s goal is to educate 65 students every year, and currently, 90 students are getting Tiso Foundation Bursary support. You can get financial aid if you fall under the criteria and apply in the right way; let’s see its eligibility criteria.

Eligibility Criteria

When it comes to bursaries and scholarships, people rush to apply and neglect the importance of eligibility criteria. Filtering thousands of applications and providing them with suitable responses is also hard for the department. Therefore, I advise you to apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary if you meet the criteria; otherwise, you are wasting your precious time.

• An applicant must be a citizen of South Africa.
• An applicant must be between 18 and 34 years old.
• An applicant must be from a disadvantaged/ poor background.
• An applicant must be studying or have completed Matric.
• An applicant must have 70% minimum marks in the last academic record.
• An applicant must be studying or planning to study full-time.
• An applicant must be studying or planning to study at a South Africa Higher Education recognized university.
• An applicant must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% if he is currently studying.
• An applicant must be unemployed.
• An applicant must demonstrate financial need.
• An applicant must be dedicated to his studies.
• An applicant must have an excellent academic record in the past.
• An applicant must be willing to give back to the community and participate in uplift programs.
• An applicant must be able to provide references with the application.

What Fields Does Tiso Foundation Bursary Cover?

You have seen that all the other bursaries support a certain number of fields. Additionally, they are related to a few universities, so you need to get admission into those institutes if you are willing to get a bursary. While the Tiso Foundation Bursary is the opposite, it does not function like other bursaries.

The purpose of the Tiso Foundation Bursary is to provide education to all SA students. Therefore, the financial aid program is open to all kinds of students, black or colored, and a student can gain admission to any university. In addition, Tiso Foundation Bursary enrolled students can join any field, from economics to science, math, and technology.

Required Documents

1. You need to submit a certified copy of the ID document.
2. If you are currently in Matric, you need to attach a copy of your certified Matric result card.
3. You need to provide a copy of the Matric certificate if you have completed the Matric.
4. Provide an acceptance letter from the university or institute you intend to study.
5. You need to provide parents or guardians income proof/ if they are unemployed, provide an affidavit/ if they are retired, provide a pension or SASSA grant/ death certificate if they are deceased.
6. You need to provide 2 academic testimonies.
7. You need to send 4 essays based on different topics:
   1. Write an essay on your history and current personal circumstances.
   2. Write an essay on a study course and university and provide reasons why you choose a particular university and a certain course.
   3. Write an essay on leadership skills and describe the moments in which you were a leader to a group, people at the worksite, or in the community.
   4. Write an essay on a social cause close to your heart, mentioning the reasons.

How To Apply?

Step 1: Go to the official website of Tiso Foundation Bursary.

Step 2: You will see a long page of instructions and conditions. Read them carefully to apply them correctly.

Step 3: Scroll down and tap on the “Next” button

Step 4: Provide your ID Number, which will take you to another page.

Step 5: Provide all the relevant details and submit your application.

Step 6: You will receive mail that your application has been received.

Tiso Foundation Bursary Contact Details

Phone Number: 011 784 4111

Email: [email protected]

• Bursary Name: Tiso Foundation Bursary
• Bursary Closing Date: The closing date is according to each province.
• Bursary Application link: https://tiso.devman.co.za/Devman/web/bursary/?source=zabursaries
• Bursary Sponsor: Tiso Foundation
• Funded Items: Tuition fee, accommodation, transportation, and living allowances.

There is a list of bursaries and financial aid programs, but no one helps you throughout the degree except the Tiso Foundation Bursary. It covers all the major expenses of a student, from his tuition fee to accommodation and transportation fare. If you are unable to deal with the education expenses and have scored more than 70% in the last examinations, you should apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary.

The application process is a bit lengthy and challenging for new students, but I have explained it in simple steps. Before you go to apply for the Tiso Foundation Bursary, see its eligibility criteria and required documents. I hope this information will help you in the future; thank you.