Application tools
Free application templates
Download, open in Word or Google Docs, and replace the prompts with your own details. Free, no sign-up.
Student CV Template
A one-page CV structure built for bursary panels, with prompts for every section.
Preview
FULL NAME City, Province | 0XX XXX XXXX | yourname@email.com PERSONAL SUMMARY A brief two-line summary: who you are, what you are studying (or intend to study), and your career goal. EDUCATION [School / Institution], [City] [Year - Year] National Senior Certificate / [Qualification] Best results: [Subject] XX%, [Subject] XX%, [Subject] XX% ACHIEVEMENTS - [Academic award, top of class, olympiad, competition] - [Certificate or course completed] LEADERSHIP & ACTIVITIES - [Role, organisation, years] - what you did and the result - [Sport / club / community or church role] SKILLS Languages: [e.g. English, isiZulu, Afrikaans] Computer: [e.g. Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint] Other: [technical, laboratory or practical skills] WORK / VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE [Role], [Organisation] [Dates] - [What you did and the outcome] REFERENCES [Name], [Position], [Organisation] - [phone] - [email] [Name], [Position], [Organisation] - [phone] - [email]
Motivational Letter Template
A formal bursary motivation letter with the five paragraphs funders expect.
Preview
[Your full name] [Your address] [City, Postal code] [Phone] | [Email] [Date] The Bursary Selection Committee [Organisation name] Dear Sir / Madam RE: APPLICATION FOR THE [BURSARY NAME] BURSARY - [YEAR] My name is [full name], a [Grade 12 learner at / first-year student at] [institution], applying to study [programme]. I am writing to apply for the [bursary name] bursary. Academically, I have [state your results: average, best subjects, awards]. [Add one concrete example of your academic commitment.] My family's financial position makes it difficult to fund my studies. [State the facts plainly: household income, number of dependants, who supports you.] Without financial assistance I will not be able to [register / continue]. I am applying to [organisation] specifically because [link their focus area or industry to your field of study and your interest in it]. After qualifying, I intend to [career goal], and to [how you will contribute - work-back obligation, mentoring, community contribution]. Thank you for considering my application. I am available for an interview at any time and can be reached on [phone] or [email]. Yours faithfully [Signature] [Full name] [ID number]
Personal Statement Template
A guided personal statement for applications that ask for your story.
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PERSONAL STATEMENT [Your full name] | [Programme] | [Institution] WHO I AM Two or three sentences about your background, where you grew up and what shaped your interest in this field. WHY THIS FIELD Describe the moment, subject or experience that pointed you towards [field of study]. Be specific - name the subject, project or person. WHAT I HAVE DONE ABOUT IT Evidence that this is more than an interest: results in related subjects, projects you built, books or courses you completed, people you helped. CHALLENGES I HAVE OVERCOME Describe one real challenge and what you did about it. Focus on your action and what you learned, not on hardship alone. MY GOALS Where you want to be in five years, and the first concrete step you will take towards it during your studies. WHY I DESERVE THIS SUPPORT Close by tying your record, your need and your goal together in three or four sentences.
Application Checklist
Every document and step, so nothing gets your application rejected.
Preview
BURSARY APPLICATION CHECKLIST BEFORE YOU START [ ] Confirm the closing date and diarise it a week early [ ] Read the full eligibility criteria [ ] Confirm your field of study is funded [ ] Confirm the minimum academic average required [ ] Confirm citizenship and province requirements DOCUMENTS TO PREPARE (scan as clear PDFs) [ ] Certified copy of your ID [ ] Certified copies of parents' / guardians' IDs [ ] Latest academic results / Grade 11 and 12 reports [ ] Matric certificate or statement of results (if available) [ ] Proof of household income (payslips, affidavit, pension, UIF, SASSA) [ ] Proof of registration or acceptance letter [ ] Proof of residence [ ] Updated CV (one page) [ ] Motivational letter (tailored to this funder) [ ] Two contactable references WHEN SUBMITTING [ ] Apply on the official funder website only [ ] Check every field before submitting [ ] Upload documents in the required format and size [ ] Save your reference number [ ] Save a copy of the full submission AFTER SUBMITTING [ ] Diarise the feedback date [ ] Follow up politely by email if the date passes [ ] Keep applying to other bursaries in parallel