Sasseta Funding Opportunities For Students offers various funding opportunities to support students pursuing qualifications in the safety and security sectors.
🎓 SASSETA Bursary Programmes
SASSETA collaborates with public higher education institutions to provide full bursaries to eligible learners. These bursaries cover tuition fees and may include allowances for textbooks and accommodation.
Eligibility Criteria:
- South African citizen
- Aged between 18 and 35 years
- Possess a Grade 12 certificate or higher qualification
- Enrolled or accepted at a public higher education institution
- Preference is given to students pursuing programmes aligned with SASSETA’s identified scarce and critical skills
- Additional preference for previously disadvantaged individuals, those from rural areas, unemployed youth, and people with disabilities
Application Process:
- Bursaries are advertised annually on the SASSETA website during the application period.
- Application forms are available for download during this time.
- Completed applications must be submitted as per the instructions provided in the advertisement.
📚 Heribert Nasch Bursary Programme
This programme is designed to support undergraduate students, including those pursuing master’s degrees or second degrees.
Eligibility Criteria:
- Family income of less than R90,000 per year
- Minimum Grade 12 final examination average of 70%
- Enrolled at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) or Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Commitment to residing in accommodation provided by the foundation, which facilitates close mentoring and evaluation
Benefits:
- Full coverage of tuition fees, accommodation, and meals
- Provision of textbooks and laptops
- Monthly allowance of R1,000 to assist with personal expenses
Application Process:
- Submit certified copies of qualifications and detailed financial documentation
- Provide a letter of recommendation from a principal, priest, or community leader
- Contact the foundation via WhatsApp at 082-344-3165 or email at for application details.
📝 Application Tips:
- Regularly check the SASSETA website for bursary advertisements and application periods.
- Ensure all required documents are prepared and submitted as per the application guidelines.
- Highlight your academic achievements, community involvement, and alignment with SASSETA’s focus areas in your application.
🎓 Participating Institutions
SASSETA partners with several public universities and universities of technology, including:
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
- University of Pretoria
- University of Cape Town (UCT)
- University of the Free State (UFS)
- University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN)
- University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- Vaal University of Technology (VUT)
- University of Western Cape (UWC)
- University of Johannesburg (UJ)
- University of Fort Hare (UFH)
- Nelson Mandela University (NMU)
- Rhodes University
- Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT)
- Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Mangosuthu University of Technology (MUT)
- Stellenbosch University
- University of Venda (UNIVEN)
- WITS University
- Namibia University of Science and Technology (NUST)
📘 Eligible Fields of Study
SASSETA provides bursary funding for qualifications in the following fields:
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- Paralegal Studies
- Security Management
- Clinical Social Work
- Nursing
- Pharmacy
- Psychology
- Information Technology (IT) Related Programmes
- Criminology
- Investigative Studies
- Veterinary Science
The benefits of SASSETA bursary funding are designed to support students both financially and academically, especially those pursuing careers in the safety and security sector in South Africa.
Here’s a breakdown of what you can gain:
🎓 1. Full or Partial Tuition Coverage
SASSETA often covers tuition fees fully, which means you won’t have to pay for your academic courses at your college or university.
📚 2. Textbooks and Study Materials
The bursary can also include funding for:
- Prescribed textbooks
- Learning materials
- Stationery
🏠 3. Accommodation and Meals
For students studying away from home, SASSETA may provide:
- Accommodation funding
- Meal allowances
This is especially helpful if you are staying in university residence or private student housing.
💻 4. Laptop Allowance
In some cases, students receive a laptop or funding to purchase one. This helps with online learning, research, and assignments.
💸 5. Monthly Allowance
Some bursary recipients get a monthly stipend for personal expenses like transport, data, and toiletries.
🧠 6. Access to Quality Education
You get the opportunity to:
- Study at a reputable public college or university
- Focus on a career-aligned course (like law, security, criminology, etc.)
🚀 7. Better Career Opportunities
SASSETA bursaries are designed to prepare you for:
- Jobs in law enforcement, legal services, private security, and public safety
- Employment in government departments or private sector roles
- Possible internships or learnerships linked to your field of study
🤝 8. Empowerment & Development
If you’re from a previously disadvantaged background, rural area, or have a disability, this bursary is a life-changing opportunity to gain access to higher education and break financial barriers.
what are the advertages and disadvertages of this funding?
Great question! Let’s break down the advantages and disadvantages of the SASSETA bursary funding so you can get a clear picture before applying.
✅ Advantages (Pros)
1. 🎓 Covers Major Study Costs
- Tuition fees, textbooks, accommodation, and sometimes meals and transport are covered, which takes a big financial burden off you and your family.
2. 💻 Support for Learning Tools
- In some cases, bursary recipients get a laptop allowance, making it easier to study, especially for online classes or research.
3. 🚀 Career-Aligned Studies
- Funding is targeted toward in-demand fields in the safety and security sector (like Law, Forensics, Policing, IT, Criminology), which increases your job chances after graduation.
4. 🤝 Empowers Disadvantaged Students
- Prioritizes youth, unemployed individuals, people with disabilities, and those from rural or previously disadvantaged backgrounds.
5. 📘 Access to Reputable Institutions
- Supports students studying at public universities and TVET colleges, ensuring quality education.
6. 🛠️ Builds Skills for SA’s Development
- Encourages students to contribute to public safety and justice, strengthening South Africa’s future workforce.
❌ Disadvantages (Cons)
1. 📋 Limited Availability
- Funding is competitive and limited. Not everyone who applies will get approved, even if they meet the criteria.
2. ⏳ Application Deadlines
- You must apply during specific windows each year. If you miss the deadline, you may have to wait another year.
3. 📑 Strict Requirements
- You need to maintain good academic performance to keep your funding.
- It may not fund all fields of study, only those related to safety, security, law, and justice.
4. ⚖️ No Double Funding
- If you’re already receiving support from NSFAS or another bursary, you can’t qualify for SASSETA funding.
5. 💼 Employment Obligation (in some cases)
- Depending on the bursary terms, you might be required to work in a specific sector or organization after graduation for a certain period (not always, but sometimes).
🎯 Summary
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Covers major costs | Limited slots and funding |
| Helps disadvantaged students | Strict academic and eligibility criteria |
| Improves career prospects | May not cover all fields or private colleges |
| Provides study materials/tools | Time-bound application process |
