The AVI Bursary Programme 2016:
AVI Limited is a company that owns some of South Africa’s most familiar and well-loved brands. From Koffiehuis to House of Coffees, Baker’s Biscuits to Willard Chips, the company is part of the lives of most South Africans. AVI’s CSI programme represents its support of initiatives that fall outside of its day-to-day enterprise, which are intended to bring about positive social and economic changes to historically disadvantaged communities and to enhance the environment in which the company operates. The company’s primary focus areas are education and skills development, arts and culture, and the environment. The annual AVI CSI Budget is determined by allocating 1% of company pre-tax profits in the preceding year. The AVI Bursary Programme is one of the company’s major initiatives. This Programme distinguishes itself by the commitment of the company to its bursary beneficiaries. Not only do they arrange vacation work opportunities for all their bursars, but they also provide graduate development positions to students who completed their studies. The company also runs a volunteer industry mentor programme for its bursars and Studietrust employees are regularly benefitting from the mentor training offered by AVI’s Learning and Development department. The company also offers vacation work opportunities to non-AVI sponsored students through its Spitz and Kurt Gaigher stores. Studietrust works with some of the company’s other beneficiary programmes, e.g. the Kliptown project and Star Schools, providing bursaries for alumni of these programmes who do qualify for further and tertiary education.
AVI currently sponsors three categories of bursaries:
1. Degree studies in Commerce and Engineering.
Who can apply:
1. SA citizens interested in full-time undergraduate Commerce studies at the University of Johannesburg, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria University and Wits University in the fields of Marketing and Finance . Only applicants with an NSC with degree endorsement and at least a level 5 rating (60%) for Mathematics and English First Additional Language, or Matric Exemption and a minimum “C” symbol (Higher Grade) for Maths and English or an NSC will be considered.
2. SA citizens interested in Mechanical Engineering degree studies at the University of Johannesburg, the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Pretoria University and Wits University. Only applicants with an NSC with degree endorsement and at least a level 5 rating (60%) for Mathematics, Physical Science and English First Additional Language, or Matric Exemption and a minimum “C” symbol (Higher Grade) for Maths, Science and English will be considered.
Preference is given to:
- current Grade 12 learners
- matriculated applicants waiting for a study opportunity
- Full-time students in their first year studying towards degrees specified above.
Bursary type: Partial
Applicants are thus advised to also apply through the Financial Aid Office of their university of choice for a study loan from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover the shortfall. Terms and conditions apply.
Main selection criteria: Academic merit and financial need.
2. Diploma stdies in Engineering and Food Technology.
Who can apply:
1. SA citizens interested in full-time National Diploma / B Tech studies in Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or Food Technology studies at the Durban University of Technology, University of Johannesburg, Tshwane University of Technology and Vaal University of Technology.
2. Only applicants with an NSC with diploma endorsement and at least a level 4 rating (50%) for Mathematics, Physical Science and English First Additional Language, or matric exemption and a minimum “D” symbol (Higher Grade) for Maths, Science and English will be considered.
Preference is given to:
- current Grade 12 learners
- matriculated applicants waiting for a study opportunity
- Full-time students in their first year studying towards the qualifications specified above.
Bursary type: Partial
Applicants are thus advised to also apply through the Financial Aid Office of their university of choice for a study loan from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover the shortfall. Terms and conditions apply.
Main selection criteria: Academic merit and financial need.
3. Study Programmes at TVET Colleges (formely known as FET Colleges).
Who can apply:
1. SA citizens interested in full-time National Certificate (Vocational), Diploma or N4-N6 studies in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Millwrights, etc.) at South African TVET Colleges.
Preference is given to:
- current Grade 12 learners
- matriculated applicants waiting for a study opportunity
- full-time students in their first year studying towards the qualifications specified above.
Bursary type: Partial
Applicants are thus advised to also apply through the Financial Aid Office of their university of choice for a study loan from the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) to cover the shortfall. Terms and conditions apply.
Main selection criteria: Academic merit and financial need.
Application procedure
– Due to a possible postal strike and the likelihood of your application not reaching us before the closing date, we encourage applicants to make use of the Online Application Feature
– Alternatively, application forms can be downloaded from our website.
– Write your ID on every page of your supporting documents
– Email your completed form and supporting documents in PDF format (not exceeding 1megabyte) to apply@studietrust.org.za or fax 086 538 1537
– If you require an application form to be posted to you, please sms the word STUDY, your name, surname, postal address & postal code to 31022. (Standard sms rates apply)
– Completed application forms may still be submitted to the postal address, Studietrust, Private bag X16, Braamfontein, 2017.
– For applying online, please indicate in the relevant space that you are applying for an AVI bursary. We will, however, consider your application for other bursaries too, so you only have to apply ONCE.
Closing dates:
– The closing date for requesting an application form is 31 August.
– The closing date for submitting your completed application form with all supporting documents is 30 September. This deadline applies to all modes of application.
Acknowledgement of receipt
– Studietrust (the AVI bursary administrator) receives thousands of application forms each year and it is therefore not possible for us to acknowledge receipt of all completed forms. All applications will be considered and selection will take place from September to December. All applicants will be notified of the outcome not later than 31 December.
