Central University of Technology (CUT) Bursaries & loans

Studying at the Central University of Technology (CUT) can be financially challenging for many students. To ease this burden, CUT offers a variety of bursaries, scholarships, and loan options for both undergraduate and postgraduate students. Understanding these funding opportunities is essential for planning your studies and ensuring you can complete your programme without financial stress.

What Are CUT Bursaries?

A bursary is a form of financial support that helps students cover tuition fees, accommodation, or other academic expenses. The key feature of bursaries is that they do not need to be repaid, unlike loans.

CUT bursaries are awarded based on:

Academic merit
Financial need
Specific fields of study or faculties
Special achievements or talents

Types of Bursaries at CUT

1. Merit-Based Bursaries

Awarded to students with excellent academic performance.
Usually cover tuition fees partially or fully.
Open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students.

2. Need-Based Bursaries

Designed for students who demonstrate financial need.
Covers tuition, study materials, and sometimes accommodation.
Applicants must submit proof of family income or financial documents.

3. Faculty-Specific Bursaries

Certain faculties such as Engineering, Health Sciences, or IT may offer bursaries for students enrolled in high-demand programmes.
Focus on students pursuing careers in areas that contribute to national development.

4. External Sponsored Bursaries

CUT partners with private companies, government agencies, and NGOs to offer bursaries.
Examples include bursaries from the Department of Higher Education, corporate foundations, and professional associations.

Tips: How to apply for a Bursary/Scholarship

Read the Bursary Brochure and find the bursaries that suit your needs.
Check the closing dates for applications.
Apply directly to the person/company specified.
Apply for more than one bursary and make sure that you meet the requirements.
Explore other ways of financing your studies in the event of the bursary application being unsuccessful.

Find Bursaries in South Africa (portals)

Specific bursaries at CUT

CUT ACADEMIC MERIT BURSARIES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

Such bursaries are for candidates who are pursuing further studies for the first time after Grade 12 and who are enrolled as full-time students for a diploma or degree course/ at CUT. The amount allocated is calculated on the basis of the six highest symbols achieved by the candidate in the final Grade 12 examination. The criteria and amounts of these awards are reviewed on an annual basis.

ACADEMIC RECRUITMENT BURSARIES (FOR FIRST-TIME ENTRANTS)

These bursaries are additional to the normal academic bursaries. First-year students who qualify will automatically be considered for such a bursary. The following categories are available:

CATEGORY A

Each A symbol on HG – R1 000.00 Each A symbol on SG – R600.00

CATEGORY B

A bursary of R1 000.00 will be awarded to a student who achieved an A symbol (HG or SG) in the final Grade 12 examination and who is enrolled for a course in Engineering or Health and Environmental Sciences.

CATEGORY C

Top-ten bursaries (awarded to the ten best first-year entrants). To be considered for such a bursary, a minimum of 42 points on the CUT scoring scale, calculated on the basis of the candidate’s six best subjects, is required.

CUT LEADERSHIP BURSARIES FOR FIRST-YEAR STUDENTS

At least 27 points on the CUT scoring scale in the final Grade 12 examination is an additional requirement. The following applicants may qualify for such bursaries:

Head boy / girl of a high school
Chairperson of the representative council of learners of a high school
Deputy head boy / girl of a high school
Vice-chairperson of the representative council of learners of a high school
Head boy / girl of a high-school hostel
Winner of a national subject Olympiad
Winner of a national expo
Member of the “Presidentverkenners” or Springbok Scouts

SPORT RECRUITMENT BURSARIES

Sport bursaries are awarded to promising sportsmen and sportswomen according to merit. Such bursaries are only awarded to individuals who participate in a league sport in the name of CUT (refer to the list of sports along with the names of the sport managers). Only achievements at the provincial level and higher are taken into account. Application forms are available from Operational Sport and the closing date is 31 October each year. Development bursaries are also available, and a maximum of three candidates may be nominated by the respective sports trainers / club managers. Please note: Candidates must apply on an annual basis. For more information on sport recruitment bursaries (first-year students only) and sport bursaries (all students), please contact Operational Sport.

FUNZA LUSHAKA – MERIT BURSARY

This is a merit bursary awarded by the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET) to deserving Teacher Education students registered for the following BEd (FET) Specialisation programmes:

BEd Languages, majoring in African Languages, namely Setswana, Sesotho and Xhosa, with English as a compulsory major;
BEd Natural Sciences;
BEd Computer Science, majoring in Computer Studies (IT) and Computer Applications Technology;
BEd Technology, majoring in Technology (Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Technology), Accounting, Economics
PGCE;
BSc, BCom, BA, BTech

Students are expected to apply online at the DHET website. The bursary is presently worth R48 000.00 per annum, and allocations are subject to the availability of funds http://www.funzalushaka.doe.gov.za/

Study Loans

A study loan is money borrowed, which must be repaid upon completion of studies. Loans are available from banks and institutions like Eduloan.

Feenix Student Fundraising Platform

Feenix is an online fundraising platform that connects students to their communities to fundraise towards their outstanding debt.

If a student would like to use the platform, they must make sure they:

are a South African citizen/asylum seeker/permanent resident/refugee
have a combined annual household income under R600 000
are a registered student or have historical debt.

Visit www.feenix.org to start your fundraising journey.

Eduloan

For more information on EDULOAN, visit https://www.eduloan.co.za.

Financial Aid

Financial aid assist students with educational expenses and may include tuition and fees, accommodation, books and/or supplies, and transportation. There are different types of financial aid including grants, scholarships, work study and loans. Some aid may be repaid and some may not have the expectation.

National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS)

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a public entity reporting to the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). It provides financial assistance in the form of study bursaries to qualifying students who plan to study at Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) colleges and public universities. Visit our NSFAS webpage for information.

Available on CUT’s Student Portal, the transport allowance form