The SACBW Foundation invites academically deserving South African female Matric learners to apply for the SACBW Foundation Bursary Programme for the 2027 academic year.
Bursary Application Closing Date: 31 August 2026
Bursary Location: Accredited tertiary institutions in South Africa
SACBW Foundation Bursary Programme 2027
The SACBW Foundation NPC is offering financial assistance to female Matric learners who plan to begin tertiary studies during the 2027 academic year.
The programme is intended to support academically strong young women who cannot afford the cost of higher education.
Through the bursary, the Foundation aims to develop future female professionals, business leaders and entrepreneurs who can contribute to South Africa’s economic development.
Successful recipients will also receive the Youth Leader Award from the South African Council for Business Women.
Bursary Programme Overview
Bursary provider: SACBW Foundation NPC
Programme: SACBW Foundation Bursary 2027
Target group: Female Matric learners
Age requirement: Younger than 20 years
Minimum academic average: 70%
Academic year: 2027
Closing date: 31 August 2026
Application method: Email
Application email: info@sacbwfoundation.co.za
Fields of Study Covered
Preference will be given to applicants who intend to study in the following fields:
- Accounting and Bookkeeping
- Business Development Management
- Digital Marketing
- Marketing Management
- Practical Entrepreneurship
Other fields of study may be considered by the SACBW Foundation NPC Board of Directors.
However, applicants pursuing the listed business, accounting, marketing and entrepreneurship programmes are expected to receive preference.
Purpose of the Bursary
The SACBW Foundation Bursary aims to provide financial support to young women who:
- Demonstrate strong academic ability.
- Are currently completing Matric.
- Want to pursue tertiary education.
- Cannot afford the cost of their studies.
- Show leadership potential.
- Are interested in business or entrepreneurship.
- Want to contribute to South Africa’s future economic development.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must meet all the following requirements:
- Be South African citizens.
- Be female.
- Be younger than 20 years old.
- Be currently registered in Matric.
- Have achieved a minimum overall average of 70%.
- Intend to study towards an eligible qualification in 2027.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Be unable to afford their tertiary studies.
- Submit a complete application before the closing date.
Applicants who do not meet all the requirements may not be considered.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have achieved at least:
70% overall average
The applicant’s certified June Matric results must be submitted as part of the application.
The academic record should clearly show:
- The learner’s full name.
- School name.
- Subjects completed.
- Marks achieved.
- Overall performance.
- School stamp or official verification, where applicable.
Age Requirement
Applicants must be younger than 20 years old.
Candidates should ensure that their certified identity document clearly confirms their date of birth.
Financial Need Requirement
The bursary is intended for learners who cannot afford to fund their studies independently.
Applicants should explain their financial circumstances honestly in the application form and motivational essay.
The Foundation may consider factors such as:
- Household income.
- Number of dependants.
- Employment status of parents or guardians.
- Existing financial responsibilities.
- Other bursaries or funding received.
- Expected tertiary education expenses.
What the SACBW Foundation Bursary Covers
The information provided does not specify the exact bursary value or all expenses covered.
Bursary funding will be paid directly to the successful student’s tertiary institution.
Applicants should not assume that the bursary automatically covers:
- Full tuition fees
- Accommodation
- Textbooks
- Meals
- Transport
- Devices
- Personal allowances
The final funding amount and covered expenses should be confirmed with the SACBW Foundation.
Youth Leader Award
Successful bursary recipients will also receive the Youth Leader Award from the South African Council for Business Women.
The award may provide recognition of the recipient’s:
- Academic achievement.
- Leadership potential.
- Commitment to personal development.
- Interest in entrepreneurship.
- Potential contribution to business and society.
Required Supporting Documents
Applicants must submit:
- A completed SACBW Foundation Bursary Application Form.
- A certified copy of their identity document.
- A certified copy of their June Matric results.
- A 250-word motivational essay.
- A three-minute video covering the information included in the essay.
Missing compulsory documents may result in disqualification.
Motivational Essay Requirements
Applicants must write a motivational essay of approximately 250 words.
The application form should be consulted for the exact essay instructions.
The essay may address:
- The applicant’s background.
- Academic achievements.
- Financial circumstances.
- Chosen field of study.
- Career ambitions.
- Leadership potential.
- Interest in business or entrepreneurship.
- How the bursary will support future goals.
- How the applicant hopes to contribute to society.
The essay should be personal, clear and written in the applicant’s own words.
Three-Minute Video Requirement
Applicants must submit a short video of approximately three minutes.
The video should cover the main information contained in the motivational essay.
Applicants should:
- Introduce themselves clearly.
- Speak confidently.
- Explain their academic and career goals.
- Describe why they need financial assistance.
- Explain why they selected their field of study.
- Discuss their leadership or entrepreneurial ambitions.
- Record in a quiet and well-lit environment.
- Ensure the audio is clear.
- Keep the video within the required time.
The video may be submitted through:
- Dropbox
- WeTransfer
Application Document Format
All written application documents must be combined into one PDF file.
The single PDF should include:
- Completed application form.
- Certified identity document.
- Certified June Matric results.
- Motivational essay.
- Any other required written documents.
The file should use the applicant’s name and surname as the reference or filename.
An example filename is:
Thandi_Mokoena_SACBW_Bursary_2027.pdf
Applicants should confirm that the file:
- Opens correctly.
- Is readable.
- Is not password-protected.
- Includes every required page.
- Is attached before the email is sent.
Registration Fee Notice
The application form reportedly refers to a registration fee of R199.
The SACBW Foundation has indicated that applicants may still submit their applications, after which the Foundation will assess whether the registration fee can be waived.
Applicants who cannot afford the fee should contact the Foundation directly for guidance.
Applicants should not make assumptions about the waiver and should retain proof of any official communication received.
How to Apply for the SACBW Foundation Bursary 2027
Applicants must download and complete the official application form.
Click here to download the SACBW Foundation Bursary Application Form
Completed applications must be submitted by email.
Click here to apply for the SACBW Foundation Bursary 2027
Submit applications to:
Email: info@sacbwfoundation.co.za
Use the following email subject line:
SACBW Foundation Bursary
The email should include:
- The single combined PDF application document.
- The three-minute video or a link to the uploaded video.
- The applicant’s full name and contact details.
Bursary Application Closing Date
Applications close on 31 August 2026.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
Applicants should submit early to allow time to resolve missing documents, video upload problems or email attachment issues.
Selection Process
Applications will be assessed according to factors such as:
- Eligibility.
- Academic performance.
- Financial need.
- Quality of the motivational essay.
- Quality and content of the video.
- Leadership potential.
- Career goals.
- Completeness of the application.
- Availability of bursary funding.
Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
The supplied information states that applicants who have not received feedback by “31 September 2026” should regard their applications as unsuccessful. September has only 30 days, so applicants should contact the Foundation to confirm the correct feedback date.
Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You are female.
- You are younger than 20.
- You are currently in Matric.
- Your overall average is at least 70%.
- You intend to study in 2027.
- Your field of study is eligible.
- You demonstrate financial need.
- The application form is complete.
- Your ID copy is certified.
- Your June Matric results are certified.
- Your motivational essay is approximately 250 words.
- Your three-minute video is ready.
- All written documents are combined into one PDF.
- The PDF uses your name and surname as a reference.
- The correct email subject line is used.
- Your application is submitted by 31 August 2026.
Bursary Enquiries
Questions about the bursary programme may be directed to:
Email: info@sacbwfoundation.co.za
Applicants may use this email to enquire about:
- Eligible fields of study.
- Application-form requirements.
- Video submission.
- The R199 registration fee.
- Possible fee waivers.
- Funding coverage.
- Selection dates.
- Application outcomes.