“NSFAS Isn’t Only an Option”: UCT Graduate Shares 5 Bursaries Closing on 30 September
- An AI engineer and UCT graduate shared five bursaries closing on 30 September 2026 for students planning to study in 2027
- The bursaries include funding from Amazon, Toyota, National Treasury and the South African Reserve Bank across tech, commerce and science fields
- South African students flooded the comments with questions about funding options beyond NSFAS
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Source: TikTok
A UCT computer science graduate is urging South African students not to rely solely on NSFAS for funding in 2027. Akhil, an AI engineer and founder known on TikTok as @africantechbro.ai, shared a video on 26 September 2026 from inside his car, listing five bursaries all closing on 30 September 2026.
With nearly 100,000 followers on TikTok, Akhil has built a following by sharing career and academic opportunities for young South Africans.
5 bursaries closing 30 September
The first is the Amazon Recruitment Bursary, aimed at South African citizens entering their final year of study in 2027 in fields like Computer Science, Software Engineering, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning. Applicants need a minimum 65% tertiary average and must be available for a paid summer internship.
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The second is the Toyota South Africa Motors Bursary, open to matriculants and current tertiary students with at least a 65% average. It covers Commerce, Engineering, and Science fields, including Computer Science, and offers vacation work experience and possible access to Toyota's graduate programme.
Third is the Tomorrow Trust Bursary, available to full-time undergraduate students aged 18 to 35 at public universities with a household income under R350,000 per year. It requires a 60% average and covers tuition, books, accommodation, and living allowances, alongside mentorship and career support.
The National Treasury External Bursary targets students in their third year of undergraduate studies or pursuing Honours and Master's degrees in Accounting, Economics, Finance, and Law. First- and second-year students do not qualify.
Rounding out the list is the South African Reserve Bank Bursary, designed for full-time undergraduate students under 30 studying Economics, Econometrics, Mathematical Statistics, Finance, Accounting, or Law. It requires a minimum 70% average in Matric or the current university year and comes with a post-graduation agreement with the bank.
Watch the full breakdown here:
Mzansi students react to the bursary list
The comments section on the TikTok page filled up quickly, with students sharing their frustrations and asking follow-up questions:
@Ms.Ramokadi👩🏽🏫 wrote:
"There are never education bursaries 😖👎🏽"
@Sean.Musa joked:
"😂 If you're in humanities, forget."
@Nontando said:
"They want an acceptance letter 😭"
@𝔐𝔬𝔱𝔰𝔬🌸 shared:
"I'm really struggling to find a bursary 😭💔"
@MpumelelO🫧 asked:
"Guys, which bursaries fund private institutions?"
@azzy added:
"I'm glad you're telling them that NSFAS isn't the only option. I'm so glad my daughter took a leap of faith and has been granted a bursary from undergrad through to postgrad. They pay all the fees, accommodation, and stipend without hassles."
More on bursaries and studying in South Africa
- Briefly News recently reported on how to apply online at Motheo TVET College, including the courses, fees and requirements.
- Applications for the Funza Lushaka bursary for 2027 open on 1 October 2026 for South African teaching students.
- A new study warns that bursaries of up to R130,000 are being used to recruit teenage rugby players, raising concerns about exploitation.
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Source: Briefly News
