Campaigns like #feesmustfall demonstrate that higher education remains prohibitively expensive for the majority of South African students. We have many examples of young women who are academically competent but forced to stay at home while they apply for funding or entry-level jobs, in a country with stubbornly high youth unemployment, in order to earn an income to pay for their education. This causes frustration and unnecessary delays for their educational attainment and personal development.
Through fundraising we have paid the undergraduate and postgraduate costs of young women in a range of disciplines at accredited higher education institutions across South Africa.
Read their stories on Our Graduates page. We are passionate about supporting young women to make uninterrupted transitions from high school to university and ultimately the world of work. We share various bursary and work opportunities on Facebook, LinkedIN and Twitter.
apply for funding for your studies
Who is eligible for support?
Our Financial Assistance Programme is for South African-born, female students only. They must be strictly between the ages of 18 and 28. We don’t cover students who are from other countries and studying in South Africa (SA). This includes students born outside of SA but are naturalised citizens.
What does the Financial Assistance Programme cover?
Depending on fundraising and donations, we may pay for tuition fees, textbooks, a laptop, a monthly living allowance, stationery and accommodation for one year of study. The award is not renewed automatically each year so students must maintain an above-average academic standing throughout the year in order to be considered for further support. We do not pay for graduation and/or job hunting costs.
When do applications close?
Applications are open all-year round and there is no closing date.
Which study programmes and universities are approved?
We fund any year of study, for any qualification, at accredited higher education institutions in SA. This includes all postgraduate and advanced qualifications. We do not fund any qualifications at higher education institutions outside of SA.
How do I apply?
Applicants must submit their applications, with all supporting documents, on our Financial Assistance Programme portal. If you are unable to submit on our portal, please email the following to info@18twenty8.org:
- Latest proof of registration
- 2 page CV
- Latest certified copy of ID (not older than 3 months)
- Latest academic transcript
- Latest fees statement
- Profile photo
- Student loan account statement, if any
- 1 minute video explaining who you are, what degree you are studying, how the funding will help you, how you will use your qualification to help others, why you approached 18twenty8 to assist and the full costs of your qualification.
- Textbooks quote
- Accommodation statement or lease agreement
I applied for other bursaries but am waiting to hear if I was successful, can I also apply to 18twenty8®?
No. We don't consider students who are under consideration for other bursaries.
I have a NSFAS bursary but it does not cover all of my needs, can I also apply to 18twenty8®?
No. We don't consider any NSFAS-funded students.
When will I know about the outcome of my application?
Our Financial Assistance Programme is highly-competitive and dependent on funding from our donors. We will endeavour to notify you about the outcome of your application within six months of your submission. If you don't receive a response from us within this time, you may consider your application unsuccessful. Please do not contact us before the six months has elapsed.