Can You Get More Than One Bursary? What South African Students Should Know
Can you get more than one bursary in South Africa? In some cases, yes—but receiving multiple bursary offers does not automatically mean you can accept and keep all of them.
The answer depends on the terms and conditions of each bursary, what expenses the funding covers, whether the awards overlap, and whether the funders allow their funding to be combined.
Some bursaries can be held alongside other sources of financial support, particularly where one award is only a partial contribution. Other programmes require students to choose between two awards or disclose other funding before a bursary can be confirmed.
This is particularly important for students applying for NSFAS, university funding, government bursaries, corporate bursaries, scholarships and other forms of student financial assistance.
The short answer
You can apply for multiple bursaries at the same time, but you should not assume that you can accept multiple bursary awards simultaneously.
Applying to several bursaries is generally a sensible way to increase your chances of finding funding. However, once you receive an offer, you need to read the specific funding agreement before accepting it.
For example, NSFAS rules state that a student who receives a full bursary from another funder must inform NSFAS in writing within 10 business days of receiving confirmation from the other funder, with the NSFAS funding then withdrawn.
This means there is an important difference between:
- Applying for several bursaries
- Receiving several bursary offers
- Accepting several bursaries
- Actually receiving overlapping funding
These situations are not necessarily treated the same way.
Useful Links:
Can you apply for more than one bursary?
Yes.
Students can search for and apply to different bursaries that match their academic programme, financial circumstances, citizenship requirements and other eligibility criteria.
There is no reason to limit yourself to a single application simply because you have already applied for another bursary.
In fact, universities publish information about multiple funding sources because students often need to explore different options. The University of Cape Town, for example, provides information about NSFAS, university funding, corporate funding, NGOs, sponsors, loans and other sources of student financial assistance.
The important point is what happens after an award is offered.
Can you accept two bursaries at the same time?
Sometimes, but it depends entirely on the conditions attached to the awards.
There is no single rule that applies to every bursary in South Africa.
One funder may allow its bursary to supplement another award, while another may prohibit recipients from receiving any other bursary.
Some funders may also allow another bursary but reduce their own contribution so that the student does not receive funding above the permitted amount.
This is why students should never assume that receiving two offers means they can automatically keep both.
Example: full funding
Imagine a student receives:
- Bursary A: full tuition, accommodation, books and allowances
- Bursary B: full tuition, accommodation, books and allowances
If both funders prohibit double funding, the student may have to choose one.
Example: partial funding
A different situation may arise when:
- Bursary A pays part of tuition
- Bursary B covers a specific remaining cost
If both agreements permit the combination, the student may potentially hold both awards.
The exact treatment depends on the agreements.
What does NSFAS say about receiving another bursary?
NSFAS provides an important example of why students need to understand double-funding rules.
The published NSFAS bursary guidelines state that if a student receives a full bursary from another funder, the student must notify NSFAS in writing within the specified period. The NSFAS award is then withdrawn.
The older DHET bursary guidelines also stated that a student receiving a full DHET bursary could not receive another full-cost bursary at the same time. Where another bursary was partial, the NSFAS allocation could be reduced so that funding did not pay for costs already covered by another funder.
The practical lesson is simple:
If you receive NSFAS and another bursary, disclose the other funding rather than keeping quiet about it.
The current NSFAS website publishes its funding criteria and conditions for the relevant academic year, so students should check the latest policy rather than relying on old social-media posts or screenshots.
What if you receive two bursary offers?
Don’t panic and don’t immediately accept both.
Instead, take the following steps.
1. Read both bursary agreements
Look specifically for sections dealing with:
- Other bursaries
- Other financial assistance
- Double funding
- External funding
- Scholarships
- Grants
- Sponsorships
- Disclosure requirements
- Maximum funding limits
The wording can be different from one funder to another.
2. Check what each bursary covers
One bursary may cover tuition only.
Another might cover:
- Tuition
- Registration
- Accommodation
- Books
- Meals
- Transport
- A living allowance
- Other approved study expenses
Knowing exactly what each award pays for helps you understand whether the funding overlaps.
3. Contact the funder if you’re unsure
If the agreement is unclear, contact the bursary provider or your university’s financial-aid office.
Do not rely on a WhatsApp message from another student as proof that two bursaries can be combined.
4. Disclose other funding
If a bursary application asks whether you have applied for or received other funding, answer truthfully.
Some institutions specifically require students to disclose other sources of financial support.
For example, a University of Cape Town bursary agreement requires recipients to disclose other bursaries, grants or financial assistance relating to the same period of study. The fund may then reduce or revoke its award depending on the circumstances.
Can you apply for NSFAS and other bursaries?
Yes, students can explore multiple funding options.
However, applying for another bursary does not mean that the student can necessarily receive both awards.
NSFAS is designed to provide financial assistance to eligible students at public universities and TVET colleges, subject to the applicable funding requirements.
If you subsequently receive another full bursary, you should check the NSFAS rules and notify NSFAS as required.
The same principle applies in reverse: if a private or institutional bursary asks whether you receive NSFAS, provide accurate information.
What about university bursaries?
University funding can have its own rules.
For example, Stellenbosch University documentation states that where a student receives another bursary, the university’s bursary or bursary loan may be reduced or cancelled depending on the circumstances.
However, not every university award works in exactly the same way.
Some awards are designed as supplementary funding and can potentially be held with other awards up to a defined limit.
UCT’s current postgraduate funding information, for example, explains that some merit and GAP awards can be held with other awards subject to specified limits and cost-of-attendance rules.
This demonstrates why students should check the specific bursary policy, rather than assuming that all university bursaries follow the same rules.
What about Funza Lushaka and another bursary?
Funza Lushaka provides another useful example.
Its official FAQ says that recipients of other bursaries can apply, but a student offered both a Funza Lushaka bursary and another bursary must choose to decline the other bursary.
This is why reading the conditions is so important.
A rule that applies to one bursary cannot automatically be transferred to another.
Can you apply for 10 or 20 bursaries?
There is generally no benefit in restricting yourself to one application simply because you are waiting for the outcome.
If you meet the requirements, you can search for multiple legitimate funding opportunities and submit applications before their deadlines.
However, quality matters more than the number of applications.
Before applying, check:
- Whether the bursary is legitimate.
- Whether your qualification is eligible.
- Whether your university or college is recognised by the funder.
- Whether you meet the academic requirements.
- Whether you meet citizenship or residency requirements.
- Whether you meet the financial criteria.
- Whether the application deadline has passed.
- Whether the bursary requires community service, work-back or another obligation.
- Whether the funder permits other financial assistance.
- Whether the application is free.
What happens if you don’t disclose another bursary?
This can create serious problems.
A student who deliberately fails to disclose other funding may breach the bursary agreement.
NSFAS’s published guidelines state that students are responsible for informing NSFAS about other funding and warn that failure to do so can result in termination of the bursary and recovery of funding received improperly.
Other funders can have their own consequences, including:
- Reduction of the bursary
- Cancellation of the award
- Repayment requirements
- Loss of eligibility
- Disciplinary or contractual consequences
The exact consequence depends on the agreement.
Never hide another bursary simply because you are worried about losing funding. Ask the funder what you are allowed to keep.
Can a bursary pay for expenses another bursary doesn’t cover?
Sometimes.
This is one of the areas where students need to read the details carefully.
For example, one award could cover tuition while another might provide a smaller contribution toward books or research expenses.
Some funding programmes expressly allow supplementary awards, while others calculate their contribution after taking other funding into account.
UCT’s current postgraduate funding FAQ explains that certain awards are calculated with consideration of other awards received and the student’s cost of attendance.
Therefore, the fact that two bursaries have different purposes does not automatically mean they can be combined.
What if one bursary is a scholarship?
A scholarship may have different rules from a traditional needs-based bursary.
For example, a scholarship could be awarded based primarily on:
- Academic performance
- Leadership
- Sport
- Research
- Community involvement
- A particular field of study
Even so, students should check whether the scholarship permits other financial support.
The name of the award—whether it is called a bursary, scholarship, grant or fellowship—does not by itself determine whether it can be combined with another award.
The terms and conditions do.
What if you have a bursary and a student loan?
This can also depend on the funding agreement.
A student may be able to use different sources of funding to address a genuine funding gap, but students should first check the rules of both providers.
Before taking a student loan, understand:
- The interest rate
- Fees and charges
- Repayment requirements
- When repayment begins
- What happens if you do not graduate
- Whether a parent, guardian or surety is required
- Whether the loan covers tuition, accommodation or other expenses
Government guidance identifies bursaries, NSFAS and loans among the different ways students may finance tertiary education.
A loan should therefore be treated differently from a bursary because it normally creates a repayment obligation.
How to avoid bursary scams
Students searching for multiple bursaries should also be careful about fraudulent applications.
Legitimate bursaries normally provide clear information about:
- The organisation offering the funding
- Eligibility requirements
- Closing date
- Application process
- Contact details
- Funding conditions
Be cautious if someone claims they can “guarantee” a bursary in exchange for payment.
NSFAS specifically states that its application is free and warns that anyone asking for money to apply or speed up an application is committing fraud.
Do not send your banking password, PIN or one-time password to someone claiming to process your bursary.
A simple strategy for applying for multiple bursaries
Students can use a simple tracking system.
Create a spreadsheet or notebook with these columns:
| Bursary | Closing Date | Field of Study | Requirements | Amount | Application Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bursary 1 | Date | Qualification | Requirements | Amount | Applied |
| Bursary 2 | Date | Qualification | Requirements | Amount | Documents needed |
| Bursary 3 | Date | Qualification | Requirements | Amount | Submitted |
Keep copies of:
- Your ID
- Matric certificate or latest results
- Academic transcript
- Proof of registration
- Proof of household income where required
- Proof of residence where required
- Acceptance letter where required
- Motivation letter
- Other supporting documents
This makes it easier to respond when a funder asks for additional information.
What students should do after receiving an offer
Receiving a bursary offer is exciting, but don’t stop reading at the amount.
Before accepting, ask:
Does the bursary cover the full cost of study or only part of it?
Can I receive another bursary at the same time?
Must I disclose other funding?
Will the bursary be reduced if I receive another award?
Does the bursary require me to work for the funder after graduation?
What happens if I change my qualification or institution?
What happens if I fail a subject?
Do I have to repay the funding under certain circumstances?
These questions can prevent unpleasant surprises later.
The biggest mistake students make
One of the biggest mistakes is treating every bursary as if it follows the same rules.
It doesn’t.
A corporate bursary can have different conditions from NSFAS. A university bursary can have different conditions from a government programme. A research scholarship can have different rules from an undergraduate bursary.
Even two bursaries offered by companies in the same industry can have completely different policies.
Always read the agreement for the specific bursary you are accepting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I apply for multiple bursaries?
Yes. Students can apply for multiple bursaries where they meet the eligibility requirements and submit applications before the relevant deadlines.
Can I receive two bursaries?
Possibly. It depends on the terms of the two funding programmes. Some allow supplementary funding, while others require the student to choose one.
Can I have NSFAS and another bursary?
It depends on the other bursary and whether it is full or partial funding. NSFAS rules require students receiving a full bursary from another funder to notify NSFAS within the specified period.
Can I apply for a bursary if I already have NSFAS?
You can explore other funding opportunities, but check the conditions of the other bursary before accepting it.
What happens if two bursaries both pay my tuition?
You should disclose the awards to the relevant funders. The funders may reduce or cancel one award depending on their policies.
Can I keep a bursary and a scholarship?
Sometimes. It depends on the terms of both awards and whether the funding is allowed to overlap.
Should I tell a bursary provider about other applications?
If the application asks about other funding applications or awards, provide accurate information. Some funders require disclosure of other financial support.
What if I already accepted two bursaries?
Contact both funders or your institution’s financial-aid office as soon as possible. Do not assume that the funding can be kept simply because both applications were approved.
Final Thoughts
Getting more than one bursary offer can be a valuable opportunity, but multiple offers do not automatically mean multiple awards can be combined.
The safest approach is to apply widely, keep accurate records, read every funding agreement and disclose other financial assistance when required.
For students, the goal should not simply be to collect as many bursary offers as possible. The goal is to build a legal, sustainable funding package that covers eligible study costs without creating problems later.
If you receive two or more offers, compare what each one covers, check the restrictions, and ask the funders or your university’s financial-aid office before accepting overlapping funding.
Publishing and Accuracy Note
This article is intended as general educational information for students in South Africa. Bursary rules, funding limits, eligibility criteria and application requirements can change between academic years and between funders.
Last reviewed: 28 September 2026.
Readers should verify the latest requirements directly with the relevant bursary provider, university or government funding body before submitting an application or accepting an award.
Sources and References
- NSFAS — 2026 Eligibility Criteria and Conditions for Financial Aid: official funding rules and conditions.
- NSFAS — Bursary Guidelines: conditions relating to full funding from another funder.
- South African Government — NSFAS: government information on student financial assistance.
- Funza Lushaka — Official FAQ: guidance concerning applicants who have other bursaries.
- University of Cape Town — Student Financial Aid: information on bursaries, loans and other funding sources.
- University of Cape Town — Merit and Need Awards FAQ: examples of how some postgraduate awards interact with other funding.
- Stellenbosch University — Bursaries and Loans: example of university rules concerning other bursaries.
- University of Pretoria — Student Funding: information on external and other bursary funding.
