Financial Aid
Your investment towards your child’s future career is one of the most important decisions you will ever make. Further Education and Training was not something that was always affordable in the past to all. However, with the financial options that are available today studying has become accessible to everyone. The aim of this section of the website is to illustrate various options that are available to you to assist to finance your child’s studies and also to demonstrate just how manageable it is to pay towards their studies.
Application Requirements
- Application for financial assistance from funds administered by Boland College must be made on a bursary application form.
- Application forms and further information are available from the Financial Aid Offices or the Student Support Officer at the campus of your choice.
- Completed application forms, along with supporting documents, must be submitted to the Financial Aid Office or the Campus Student Support Officer. Ensure that the application is correctly completed in order to avoid delays in processing.
- The College will acknowledge receipt of completed applications only. Students are advised to retain the letter of acknowledgement.
- For applications posted, students should keep a copy of the form and supporting documents and ensure that they receive a letter of acknowledgement. If you do not receive such a letter, we have not receive your application and you will therefore not be considered for the bursary.
- Faxed application forms will NOT be accepted.
- Receipt of the letter of acknowledgement from Boland College does NOT imply that you will qualify or receive a bursary.
Closing Date
- Applications must be made in the year prior to the one for which the bursary is required and must be received by the closing date. This date is 31 October of each year.
Submission one applications
- Applications can also be made in the year of studies for which the bursary is required and have to be received by the closing date mentioned. This date will normally be around the end of January each year, but students need to read the notice-boards or other media notices.
Required documents
- Certified copy of your Identity Document
- Certified copy of your latest original Pay Advice (grant, pension, etc.) OR
- Affidavit if parents/sponsor/guardian is unemployed
- Latest academic results
- Motivational letter by Applicant (not parent/guardian)
Criteria
- You must be between the ages of 16 and 35
- You need a minimum academic qualification of Grade Nine
- Your family’s gross income must NOT BE MORE THAN R 100 000 per annum
- You must have an acceptable academic record and display an ability to successfully complete the programme
- You need to agree to ongoing counseling and academic assessment
- The Bursary will cover registration, class and course fees, as well as the cost of the necessary test books, course material and equipment UP to a maximum of R15,000 per registration period.
- In order for an approved bursary to be fully effective, the student will need to sign a “bursary agreement” before any funds will be disbursed.
What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is an organization established by the government in order to administer state funded loans and bursaries on their behalf.
Who may apply?
All students enrolled in vocational programme (NCV) and NATED (N4-N6) programmes at a FET college may apply. Bursary applications considered under this scheme will be subjected to the NSFAS “means test” which is based on the income of the family group. The parent’s/family’s contribution towards the student’s study costs is called the Expected Family Contribution (EFC)
Value of Bursary Award
The amount of the annual bursary grant per student is determined annually and is based on the approved fee tariff per individual programme plus a nominal contribution towards the cost of college hostel accommodation. Application forms may be obtained from the Financial Aid Office at all of our campuses.
Opening and closing dates will appear on campus notice-boards or you can contact any campus Student Support Officer or the Financial Aid Office.
Merit Awards
The merit Awards scheme rewards top performing students for the marks/assessment achieved in their field of study. No applications are necessary – the bursary is awarded automatically by the College for performance in a subject during the previous academic period. The criteria will be determined annually by the respective Campus. The Merit Award scheme is available to all students.
Other Financial Options
Student Loans
- All Major Bank’s
- Student loans are available at competitive rates from all the major South-African banking institutions
- Apply to the Student bureau of the institution of your choice
Other institutions
- Certain reputable micro financiers provide loans for study purposes with affordable/reasonable payment plans, should you not meet the normal lending kriteria of the major banks.
Bursaries for Further Education & Training Colleges via external Organisations
- Access Trust at www.accesstrust.org.za
- African Scholars’ Fund at www.asf.org.za
- Elaine Forsyth Memorial Trust (PO Box 86, Cape Town, 8000)
- SA Institute of Electrical Engineers Bursary Scheme (PO Box 93541, Yeoville, 2143)
- Study Trust (PO Box 29192, Melville, 2109)
- Edu-Loan
- Provincial District and Local Municipal Bursaries (Cape Winelands District)
If you require more information, please contact our Financial Aid Office at:
t: 021 886 7111
e: elmoa@bolandcollege.com
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