Students For A Better Future invites qualifying Cape Town learners to apply for the SBF High School Scholarship Programme for the 2028 academic year.
Scholarship Application Closing Date: 12 August 2026 at 17:00
Scholarship Location: SBF Partner High Schools in Cape Town, Western Cape, South Africa
SBF High School Scholarship Programme 2028
Students For A Better Future is offering 60 high school scholarships to learners who will enter Grade 8 in 2028.
The programme is aimed at learners who are currently in Grade 6 in 2026, demonstrate strong academic performance and come from financially deserving households.
Successful learners will be placed at one of SBF’s partner high schools in the Cape Town Metropole and receive support from Grade 8 through to Matric.
Scholarship Programme Overview
Organisation: Students For A Better Future
Programme: SBF High School Scholarship 2028
Number of scholarships: 60
Current grade: Grade 6 in 2026
Entry grade: Grade 8 in 2028
Location: Cape Town, Western Cape
Residence requirement: Within 30 km of the SBF Newlands office
Applications opened: 26 June 2026
Closing date: 12 August 2026 at 17:00
Application method: Online
SBF Partner High Schools
Successful learners may be placed at one of the following partner schools:
- Bergvliet High School
- Camps Bay High School
- Claremont High School
- Groote Schuur High School
- Herschel Girls High School
- Pinelands High School
- Rondebosch Boys High School
- Rustenberg Girls High School
- South African College High School
- Springfield Convent Senior School
- St. George’s Grammar School
- Westerford High School
- Wynberg Boys High School
- Wynberg Girls High School
The supplied information refers to 13 partner schools, although 14 school names are listed. Applicants should rely on the final partner-school options shown on the official SBF application form.
What the SBF Scholarship Covers
The scholarship provides comprehensive support, including:
- School fees
- School uniform
- Textbooks
- Travel allowance
- Sports kit
- Meal allowance
- Camps
- Workshops
- Access to additional development opportunities
The scholarship is intended to support learners throughout their high school journey from Grade 8 to Matric.
Additional Development Support
Scholars will also take part in SBF’s development curriculum.
This is intended to help learners build:
- Self-management skills.
- Critical thinking.
- Resilience.
- Goal-setting ability.
- Growth mindset.
- Future-focused skills.
- Personal confidence.
- Teamwork.
- Problem-solving ability.
Minimum Eligibility Requirements
Applicants must:
- Reside in Cape Town.
- Live within 30 km of the SBF Newlands office.
- Be interested in attending one of the SBF partner schools.
- Be in Grade 6 in 2026.
- Be entering Grade 8 in 2028.
- Meet the academic requirements.
- Meet the household-income requirements.
- Demonstrate the required personal characteristics.
Academic Requirements
Applicants must have achieved:
Overall average:
- At least 65% in Grade 5 Term 4.
- At least 65% in Grade 6 Term 2.
Mathematics:
- At least 60% in Grade 5 Term 4.
- At least 60% in Grade 6 Term 2.
English:
- At least 65% in Grade 5 Term 4.
- At least 65% in Grade 6 Term 2.
Learners who do not meet these minimum results may not be considered.
Household Income Requirements
Applicants must demonstrate financial need.
The maximum household income depends on the number of children in the household:
- One child: not more than R18 000.
- Two children: not more than R21 000.
- Three or more children: not more than R24 000.
The supplied information does not explicitly state whether these income limits are monthly or annual figures. Applicants should confirm the income period on the official SBF application form before applying.
Personal Characteristics
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Self-management ability.
- Growth mindset.
- Critical thinking.
- Goal orientation.
- Resilience.
These qualities will also be assessed during later stages of the selection process.
Required Application Documents
Applicants must submit clear copies of:
- A recent head-and-shoulders photograph of the learner.
- An unabridged birth certificate for South African citizens.
- Birth certificate and proof of study visa for non-South African residents.
- Grade 5 final report.
- Grade 6 Term 2 report.
- Parents’ or guardians’ identity documents.
- Parent or guardian visa or proof of residence where applicable.
- Proof of household income.
- The required essay.
Shortlisted applicants may later be asked to provide additional documents.
Proof of Household Income
Depending on the household circumstances, applicants must submit:
If employed:
- Three most recent salary slips.
- Three months of bank statements.
If self-employed:
- Six months of bank statements.
If receiving a SASSA grant:
- Proof of the SASSA grant.
If unemployed:
- An affidavit confirming how long the person has been unemployed and why.
If a parent is absent or uninvolved:
- An affidavit confirming the circumstances.
If a parent is deceased:
- Death certificate.
Scholarship Essay
Applicants must submit an essay of approximately:
350 words
The topic is:
Write about a time in your life that has shaped who you are as a person.
The essay should reflect the learner’s own experience and voice.
Selection Process
The scholarship selection process takes place in several stages.
Stage 1 – Applications:
Applications are submitted between 26 June and 12 August 2026.
Stage 2 – Screening:
Applicants will receive feedback by email during September 2026.
Stage 3 – Online Testing:
Selected learners will complete psychosocial and academic assessments during September 2026.
Stage 4 – Entrance Examination:
Testing will focus on English and Mathematics during October 2026.
Stage 5 – Family Interviews:
Social workers may visit applicants and their families between November and December 2026.
Stage 6 – Practical Selection Experience:
Shortlisted learners will participate in activities assessing creativity, problem-solving, teamwork and resilience in January 2027.
Final Scholarship Offers:
Successful learners are expected to receive scholarship offers around February 2027.
Grade 7 Preparatory Programme
Successful candidates will complete a seven-month preparatory programme during Grade 7.
The programme is designed to help learners:
- Build relationships with other scholars.
- Prepare academically for high school.
- Develop confidence.
- Participate in enrichment activities.
- Adjust to expectations at partner schools.
- Prepare for the transition into Grade 8.
How to Apply for the SBF High School Scholarship 2028
Applications must be submitted online.
Click here to apply for the SBF High School Scholarship 2028
Parents or guardians should complete the application carefully and upload all compulsory supporting documents.
Online Application Steps
Applicants should:
- Open the official SBF scholarship application form.
- Complete the learner’s personal details.
- Enter the household and parent or guardian information.
- Provide accurate academic results.
- Upload the Grade 5 and Grade 6 reports.
- Upload the required identification documents.
- Upload proof of household income.
- Upload the learner’s recent photograph.
- Complete and submit the required essay.
- Review the entire application.
- Submit before 17:00 on 12 August 2026.
Scholarship Application Closing Date
Applications close on:
12 August 2026 at 17:00
Applications submitted after the deadline will not be accepted.
Early Bird Application
Applicants who submitted before 15 July 2026 were eligible for the advertised Early Bird lucky draw.
That Early Bird period has already passed, but applications remain open until 12 August 2026 at 17:00.
Scholarship Enquiries
For enquiries, contact Students For A Better Future:
Telephone: 021 419 3383
Email: info@thesbf.co.za
Office hours: 09:00 to 16:00
Important Application Conditions
Applicants should note that:
- The learner must currently be in Grade 6.
- The learner must enter Grade 8 in 2028.
- Residence within 30 km of the Newlands office is required.
- Academic minimums must be met.
- Financial need is a key selection criterion.
- Supporting documents are compulsory.
- A 350-word essay must be submitted.
- Shortlisted learners will complete testing and interviews.
- Selection involves several stages.
- Meeting the minimum criteria does not guarantee a scholarship.
Application Checklist
Before submitting the application, confirm that:
- The learner is in Grade 6 in 2026.
- The learner will enter Grade 8 in 2028.
- The family resides within 30 km of the SBF Newlands office.
- The learner achieved at least 65% overall.
- Mathematics is at least 60%.
- English is at least 65%.
- Household income falls within the stated limit.
- The birth certificate is ready.
- School reports are ready.
- Parent or guardian documents are ready.
- Proof of income is included.
- The recent photograph is included.
- The 350-word essay is completed.
- The application is submitted by 17:00 on 12 August 2026.