Education is often seen as the key to unlocking opportunities and building a brighter future. However, for many talented students in South Africa, the challenge lies not in their potential but in securing the financial means to pursue further studies. The Promaths Bursary Programme offers a lifeline to exceptional students who have excelled in Maths and Science through the Promaths initiative, a project powered by Investec and Kutlwanong Maths, Science, and Technology Centre.
This article delves into the objectives, structure, and how individuals and corporations can contribute to ensuring that promising learners can access tertiary education.
Overview of the Promaths Bursary Programme
The Promaths Bursary Programme is designed to support South African students who have completed the Promaths programme but lack the financial resources to pursue a tertiary education. Since its inception, Promaths has been dedicated to offering extra lessons in Maths and Science to high school learners in underserved communities. Over the past 17 years, the programme has achieved significant success, producing students who are not only academically proficient but also driven and ambitious.
Despite the high academic achievement of many Promaths students, a significant number face barriers in securing the funding necessary to continue their studies at a tertiary level. The Promaths Bursary Fund was created to address this challenge by providing bursaries to deserving Promaths alumni who are currently enrolled in South African tertiary institutions.
The Promaths Bursary Fund’s Objectives
The key objectives of the Promaths Bursary Fund are:
- Supporting Promaths Alumni: The fund aims to provide bursaries to academically deserving Promaths alumni who are currently enrolled at a South African tertiary institution. These students are typically in need of financial assistance to complete their studies.
- Improving Completion Rates: One of the core goals of the fund is to increase the likelihood of these students completing their tertiary education. By alleviating financial stress, the bursaries allow students to focus on their studies and graduate successfully.
- Decreasing the Drop-Out Rate: Every year, many Promaths students graduate high school with excellent marks in Maths and Science but are unable to pursue further education due to financial constraints. The bursary fund aims to reduce this number by offering financial aid to those who have the potential but lack the means.
- Fostering Role Models: By helping these students complete their tertiary education, the fund not only ensures that these individuals benefit personally but also strengthens the community as a whole. Graduates of the programme often become role models and contribute positively to their communities.
The Fund’s Administration
The Promaths Bursary Fund is a collaborative initiative involving corporate donors, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other entities that offer bursaries for rare skills courses. These collaborations aim to ensure the fund is able to provide support for students across various fields of study.
The fund is administered by StudyTrust, an independent bursary management organization that has been in operation since 1974. Investec has partnered with StudyTrust since 2007 to oversee the distribution of the bursaries. This partnership ensures that the bursary process is managed efficiently and transparently, providing students with the necessary support to pursue their academic and professional dreams.
Selection Criteria for the Bursary
Applications for the Promaths Bursary Programme are open to:
- South African Citizens: Applicants must be South African citizens, ensuring that the bursary reaches local students who are most in need.
- Promaths Alumni: The bursary is specifically targeted at students who have attended a Promaths or Kutlwanong Centre across the country. These centres are part of the Promaths initiative, which has been instrumental in providing high-quality Maths and Science education to learners in various communities.
- Tertiary Enrollment: The bursary is only available to students who have been accepted to study at a reputable South African tertiary institution. Furthermore, the programme focuses on rare skills degrees or national diplomas. These may include fields like medicine, engineering, aviation, commerce, and other specialized fields that are in high demand in the country.
The application process is straightforward but requires careful attention to detail. Students must ensure they meet the criteria and submit all required documents through StudyTrust’s online application platform.
How to Get Involved: Contribution Opportunities
Individuals and corporates alike are encouraged to support the Promaths Bursary Fund. Contributions can be made in several ways:
- Corporate Sponsorship: Corporates can contribute by sponsoring a specific number of bursaries for students pursuing degrees in specialized fields such as medicine, engineering, commerce, or aviation. These contributions can be tailored to the needs of the business or industry.
- Individual Sponsorship: Individuals who wish to make a difference can sponsor one or more students for the duration of their university degree. These sponsorships provide financial relief to students and enable them to complete their studies.
- General Contributions: Both corporates and individuals can also contribute what they can to the bursary fund. Every donation, no matter the size, helps to make a difference in the life of a deserving student.
- Pledge Commitment: For those who want to make a long-term impact, corporates and individuals can pledge to sponsor a set number of bursaries for multiple years. This kind of support ensures that the bursary programme continues to thrive and support future generations of students.
Career Guidance for Students
If you are uncertain about your career direction or the qualification you want to pursue, the CareerXplora platform can provide valuable insights. This Investec CSI initiative helps learners explore career options and gain personalized guidance on how to choose a qualification that aligns with their interests and strengths.
To get started, students can visit the CareerXplora website or chat live with facilitators via WhatsApp. Career guidance is an essential part of preparing for a successful career and can assist students in making informed decisions about their future.
Application Timeline and How to Apply
The Promaths Bursary Programme opens for applications on 1 May and closes on 30 September each year. Students who wish to apply must carefully read the instructions on the Bursary Applications page before starting their application.
Applications are processed via StudyTrust’s online platform, and all documents must be submitted before the deadline. Late applications will not be considered. The bursary is intended to support students who are starting their tertiary education in the following academic year.
Apply Now!
The Promaths Bursary Programme plays a crucial role in ensuring that talented students who have excelled in Maths and Science through the Promaths initiative can continue their studies at a tertiary level. By providing financial assistance to students who are academically deserving but financially disadvantaged, the fund contributes to building a brighter future for South Africa’s youth.
Whether you are a student seeking financial support or an individual or corporate entity looking to make a difference, the Promaths Bursary Programme offers opportunities to contribute to the education of South Africa’s future leaders and professionals.
With the support of the community, this programme will continue to empower students, improve their educational outcomes, and foster a generation of well-rounded, ambitious individuals who are ready to contribute positively to society.
Check also: Standard Bank Group Bursary Programme 2026