In the vibrant landscape of higher education in South Africa, private colleges stand out as dynamic alternatives to public universities and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges.
Although students attending private institutions may not qualify for state-funded bursaries, a range of alternative funding options exists to support their academic journeys.
Private colleges in South Africa serve as appealing alternatives for students seeking diverse educational experiences beyond the offerings of public institutions. With over 300 registered private colleges in the country, these institutions respond to the demand for specialized courses not commonly found in public higher education.
Private colleges play a crucial role by providing courses that often go beyond the conventional offerings of public institutions. Students can explore unique fields such as sound engineering, fashion, sports and fitness, movie making, and various other specialized courses tailored to meet the demands of a dynamic job market.
Courses at private colleges may come with a higher price tag compared to public institutions. This is primarily because private colleges do not receive government subsidies, necessitating the recovery of potential shortfalls through student fees. While students at private colleges are not eligible for bursaries from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (Nsfas), alternative bursaries help bridge the financial gap.
Bursaries for Private College Students:
- ADvTECH Student Teacher Bursary: This program offers third and fourth-year teaching students the opportunity to enroll in their bursary program, specializing in African Languages First Additional Language, Early Childhood Development, Foundation Phase, Mathematics, or Science.
- Transport Education Training Authority (TETA): TETA provides bursaries to students in various disciplines related to the transport sector, emphasizing attendance at registered tertiary education institutions.
- Khulisa Academy Bursary: Available for students enrolled in the High-Performance Computing (HPC) program.
- Cape BOD Bursary Foundation: Offers financial assistance to students in the 2023 academic year.
- Boston City Campus Bursary: Aiming to increase the number of black Chartered Accountants in South Africa.
- Red and Yellow Creative School of Business: Provides bursaries to full-time students pursuing creative business programs.
- Fundi Loans: As South Africa’s leading Education Finance specialist, Fundi offers study loans covering tuition and other necessities, including device loans. Loan repayments may be deducted from a student’s working salary or through debit orders.