The Women’s Empowerment Network of South Africa invites academically deserving female students to apply for the WENOSA Scholarship Programme 2026.
Scholarship Application Closing Date: 31 August 2026 at 23:59
Scholarship Location: Recognised public universities across South Africa
WENOSA Scholarship Programme 2026
The Women’s Empowerment Network of South Africa is offering 25 scholarships to final-year undergraduate and postgraduate students during the 2026 academic year.
The programme aims to help academically deserving women complete qualifications in fields linked to South Africa’s critical-skills economy.
Successful applicants may receive up to R50 000 toward outstanding tuition fees. The funding will be paid directly to the student’s university and will not be paid to the recipient in cash.
Scholarship Programme Overview
Organisation: Women’s Empowerment Network of South Africa
Programme: WENOSA Scholarship Programme 2026
Applications opened: 01 August 2026
Closing date: 31 August 2026 at 23:59
Maximum scholarship value: R50 000
Undergraduate scholarships: 10
Postgraduate scholarships: 15
Study level: Final-year undergraduate, Honours, Master’s or doctoral studies
Application method: Online
Expected outcome notification: By 01 October 2026
Number of Scholarships Available
WENOSA plans to award:
- 10 scholarships to final-year undergraduate students.
- 15 scholarships to final-year postgraduate students.
Postgraduate applicants may be completing:
- Honours qualifications.
- Master’s qualifications.
- Doctoral qualifications.
A total of 25 scholarships are available under the programme.
Who Can Apply?
Applicants must:
- Be South African citizens.
- Identify as female.
- Be registered at a recognised South African public university.
- Be in the final year of their qualification during 2026.
- Have achieved and maintained a minimum academic average of 65%.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Be studying in an eligible or priority field.
Priority Fields of Study
Preference will be given to applicants studying in fields connected to South Africa’s critical-skills economy.
Priority fields include:
- Engineering
- Architecture
- Information Technology
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Artificial Intelligence
- Mathematics
- Statistics
- Physical Sciences
- Environmental Sciences
- Accounting
- Chartered Accountancy
- Economics
- Financial Sciences
- Agriculture
- Mining
- Energy
- Logistics
- Research and Innovation
Applicants in related disciplines should review the application platform to determine whether their qualification is eligible.
Undergraduate Scholarship Requirements
Undergraduate applicants must:
- Be in the final year of an undergraduate qualification during 2026.
- Be enrolled at a recognised South African public university.
- Maintain an academic average of at least 65%.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Demonstrate leadership potential.
- Be studying in a priority critical-skills field.
There are 10 undergraduate scholarships available.
Postgraduate Scholarship Requirements
Postgraduate applicants must:
- Be completing the final year of an Honours, Master’s or doctoral qualification during 2026.
- Be registered at a recognised South African public university.
- Maintain an average of at least 65%.
- Demonstrate financial need.
- Show evidence of leadership potential.
- Be studying in an eligible critical-skills field.
There are 15 postgraduate scholarships available.
Scholarship Value
Successful applicants may receive funding of up to:
R50 000
The final amount awarded may depend on the student’s outstanding tuition balance and the programme’s funding decisions.
The scholarship is intended specifically for outstanding tuition fees.
What the WENOSA Scholarship Covers
The scholarship funding may be used for:
- Outstanding university tuition fees.
The funding will be paid directly to the university.
No cash payment will be made directly to successful applicants.
Expenses Not Confirmed as Covered
The supplied programme information does not state that the scholarship covers:
- Accommodation.
- Textbooks.
- Meals.
- Transport.
- Data or internet costs.
- Study equipment.
- Living allowances.
- Research expenses.
- Registration fees, unless included in the outstanding tuition account.
Applicants should not assume these costs are covered unless confirmed through the official application platform.
How the Funding Is Paid
WENOSA will pay approved scholarship funding directly to the successful applicant’s university.
Applicants should note that:
- The student will not receive the money personally.
- Funding may only be used toward qualifying outstanding tuition fees.
- The maximum scholarship value is R50 000.
- The payment amount may be limited to the outstanding balance.
- Any unused portion may be allocated to another eligible student.
Students Owing Less Than R50 000
Where a successful applicant’s outstanding tuition fees are less than R50 000, WENOSA will pay only the qualifying outstanding amount.
The remaining scholarship funding may then be used to assist another eligible student.
Successful applicants should therefore not expect to receive the difference as a cash payment.
Students Owing More Than R50 000
Applicants whose outstanding tuition fees exceed R50 000 must provide proof that they have additional funding available to cover the remaining balance.
For example, a student owing R65 000 may be required to demonstrate how the remaining R15 000 will be paid.
The supplied information does not specify which forms of additional funding will be accepted.
Academic Performance Requirement
Applicants must have achieved and maintained a minimum aggregate of:
65%
Successful scholarship recipients must continue to:
- Maintain an average of at least 65%.
- Pass all registered modules.
- Remain academically eligible.
- Meet any progress requirements communicated by WENOSA.
Students whose academic performance falls below the required standard may risk losing continued support.
Financial Need Requirement
Applicants must demonstrate genuine financial need.
The scholarship is intended to assist students whose outstanding tuition fees may prevent them from completing their qualifications or graduating.
Applicants should provide accurate information about:
- Outstanding tuition fees.
- Existing funding.
- Financial circumstances.
- The impact of unpaid fees on graduation.
- Any additional funding available.
The official information does not provide a specific household-income limit.
Leadership Potential
Applicants must demonstrate leadership potential.
Leadership evidence may include:
- Serving in student leadership.
- Tutoring or mentoring other students.
- Volunteering in community programmes.
- Participating in academic societies.
- Leading group projects.
- Organising university activities.
- Supporting youth initiatives.
- Taking responsibility in research or professional programmes.
Applicants should provide clear examples rather than simply stating that they possess leadership qualities.
About WENOSA
The Women’s Empowerment Network of South Africa aims to increase the participation of women in professional and technical fields where female representation remains limited.
The scholarship supports the development of:
- Engineers.
- Researchers.
- Scientists.
- Innovators.
- Technical professionals.
- Financial professionals.
- Future industry leaders.
Its focus is on helping final-year students overcome financial barriers and complete qualifications that contribute to South Africa’s future workforce.
Information Not Specified
The supplied scholarship information does not state:
- An age limit.
- A household-income threshold.
- Whether NSFAS-funded students may apply.
- Whether recipients of other bursaries may apply.
- A complete list of supporting documents.
- Whether interviews will be conducted.
- Whether specific universities receive preference.
- Whether part-time students qualify.
- Whether distance-learning students qualify.
Applicants should follow the instructions displayed on the official application platform.
Required Application Documents
The source information does not provide a confirmed list of compulsory documents.
Applicants should prepare documents that may be requested through the application form, such as:
- South African identity document.
- Latest academic transcript.
- Proof of university registration.
- University fee statement.
- Proof of outstanding tuition fees.
- Curriculum Vitae.
- Motivational letter.
- Proof of financial need.
- Evidence of leadership activities.
- Proof of additional funding where tuition debt exceeds R50 000.
Applicants should upload only the documents requested on the official application platform.
Preparing a Strong Application
Applicants should clearly explain:
- Their academic achievements.
- Their current qualification and final-year status.
- Their career goals.
- Why their field is important to South Africa.
- Their financial circumstances.
- Their outstanding tuition balance.
- How the scholarship will help them graduate.
- Their leadership activities.
- Their contribution to their university or community.
- Their plans after completing the qualification.
All information must be truthful and supported where required.
Common Application Mistakes
Applicants should avoid:
- Applying after the closing date.
- Submitting incomplete information.
- Uploading an outdated transcript.
- Providing an incorrect email address or telephone number.
- Uploading blurry documents.
- Failing to explain financial need.
- Giving vague leadership examples.
- Ignoring instructions on the application form.
- Waiting until the final day to apply.
- Submitting information that cannot be verified.
How to Apply for the WENOSA Scholarship Programme 2026
Applications must be submitted through the official WENOSA online application platform.
Click here to apply for the WENOSA Scholarship Programme 2026
Applicants should:
- Open the official application form.
- Confirm that they meet the eligibility requirements.
- Complete all compulsory sections.
- Provide accurate academic information.
- Explain their financial need.
- Provide evidence of leadership potential.
- Upload all documents requested by the platform.
- Review the application carefully.
- Submit it before 31 August 2026 at 23:59.
Only completed applications submitted through the official platform will be considered.
Scholarship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
31 August 2026 at 23:59
Late applications will not be accepted.
Applicants are encouraged to apply early so that they have enough time to correct errors, obtain outstanding documents and resolve technical problems.
Selection and Notification
Successful applicants are expected to be notified by:
01 October 2026
The supplied information does not specify whether unsuccessful applicants will receive individual feedback.
Submitting an application does not guarantee that funding will be awarded.
Important Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- You are a South African citizen.
- You identify as female.
- You are registered at a recognised South African public university.
- You are in your final year during 2026.
- Your academic average is at least 65%.
- Your field of study falls within an eligible critical-skills area.
- You can demonstrate financial need.
- You can provide evidence of leadership potential.
- Your latest academic transcript is ready.
- Your university fee statement is available.
- Your documents are clear and current.
- You have proof of additional funding if your outstanding fees exceed R50 000.
- You submit the online application by 23:59 on 31 August 2026.