Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa (CCBSA) has opened the application process for its Study Buddy Fund bursary programme.
The Study Buddy Fund was launched in 2021 and has since assisted 55 deserving young people across communities in which CCBSA has operations, to access tertiary education. The Fund pays for full tuition, accommodation fees, as well as textbooks.
To date, CCBSA has invested over R8 million to support students and has now called for applications for the 2023 academic year.
The bursary programme aims to provide financial and holistic support to underprivileged students who meet entry requirements for access to higher education institutions.
For the 2023 academic year, the Fund will pay for the tuition and accommodation fees of deserving students in communities in which CCBSA has operations with a particular focus on the following areas however, not limited to: Mdantsane/Motherwell/Phoenix, Inanda, Ntuzuma, KwaMashu / Greater Eldorado Park Community Forum (including Freedom Park and Motsoaledi) / Tembisa/ Greater Nigel/PTA West Ward 55/Westenburg- Seshego/ Alabama/ Mangaung
The Study Buddy programme also includes support groups, career advice and study hacks to give bursary recipients “every opportunity at a successful academic career”.
The Study Buddy Fund comprises four programme pillars:
Host Community Bursary Programme
The Bursary Program provides scholarship support to underprivileged but academically strong students who meet entry requirements for access to universities. This financial support covers registration, tuition, accommodation, meal allowances and textbooks.To date, CCBSA has spent over R5 million and supported 42 students.
University Partnership
This provides funding to students already at university but who do not have bursaries and/or NFSAS funding and are often regarded as the “missing middle”. CCBSA has invested R3,9 million to support 80 students, of whom half were young women.
TVET College Support
This targets young people in CCBSA host communities who did not meet university entrance requirements. Instead, the scholarship support focuses on technical skills development, specifically geared towards the CCBSA value chain i.e. electrical or mechanical engineering. The company has spent over R150,000 and empowered 20 students, of whom half were women.
Ligbron
This is E-Learning using technology to improve the teaching and learning of mathematics and science. CCBSA has invested over R1 million in supporting over 6,000 students to date.
Study Buddy Fund Host Community Bursary Programme applicants must be:
- Black South African, as per the BBBEE codes of good practice (Black African Learners will be prioritised)
- Must pass Grade 12 with bachelors’ admission and an acceptance from a South African based university
- Residing in one of the host communities will be advantageous
- Must be in Grade 12 in the recruiting year
- Must not be affiliated with Coca-Cola Beverages South Africa and its affiliates
- Must apply at an accredited South African tertiary institution and meet all criteria above
Applications for the 2023 Study Buddy Fund bursary will close on 27 January 2023. Applications must be submitted via studybuddy@klmempowered.com.
