Seeking star learners who cannot afford to study

The organizers of this prestigious event thought to combine a fun day of golf with an opportunity to assist learners who are struggling to pay for their tertiary education.

In conjunction with the University of South Africa (Unisa) and the Waterberg District Municipality, funds will be raised during the golf day.

The funds will enable deserving learners to apply and study by providing them with bursaries and learning devices, said Lynette van Niekerk, organizer.

“We started in 2016 with our first event at the Zebula Golf Estate, where 32 teams with four players competed. In 2017 we were back at Zebula with even more players. For the next two years, the golf day was held at Euphorbia. The golfing events raised a substantial income and were added to the bursary fund.”

“The Covid 19-pandemic of 2020/2021 made it impossible to organize sporting events and we were not able to generate funds to contribute to the trust fund,” said Van Niekerk.

Unisa’s Directorate for student funding (DSF) is responsible for allocating financial aid to deserving students. The students from previously disadvantaged backgrounds are first in line but any student may apply.

The DSF currently administers funds from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which covers the cost of under- and post-graduate studies — whether it be private or through government departments.

In addition, they also administer bursaries for post-graduate studies in the form of honors-, master’s- and doctoral studies.

Due to the progression policy of learners in public schools, the DSF does take this factor into account when selecting a worthy recipient who seeks to benefit financially and obtain the opportunity to receive a bursary.

Partnerships and new sponsorships for planned golfing events remain essential to help gifted learners receive a tertiary education.

For further information on the matter, people can call Van Niekerk at tel. 082 599 7266 or via e-mail at Vniekl1@unisa.ac.za(.)

According to Van Niekerk, the criteria for learners who are eligible for a merit bursary are as follows:

• Financially needy students qualify to apply for the bursary. The potential student’s total annual family income, as per the criteria, is capped at R600 000.
• The bursaries shall be allocated for all formal undergraduate qualifications.
• Students must provide proof of application or registration at a tertiary institution for their first year of studies.
• Students must be 18 years and older and must have passed matric the previous year.
• The student must register for a minimum of four modules at the institution which is the equivalent of a year course.
• Funding will be allocated to those previously disadvantaged. Preference will be given to students who are disabled.
• Only South African citizens can apply.
• Should the student deregister for the academic year, they will be liable to pay back the monies owed for the canceled courses.
• Should the student fail their courses over a year, the bursary will be regarded as a student loan and must be repaid.
• The student will be required, should they progress after their first year of studies, to complete their undergraduate qualification within a specific period between three to four years.
• The bursary caters only to tuition and academic essentials. The prescribed books’ funding will depend on the recipient producing a valid quotation from a registered book dealer.\
• Unisa will notify applicants if their application for a bursary was successful.
• The allocation per student for the first year is R100 000.