Rand Water, a South African water utility company which supplies Gauteng (and various other areas of South Africa) with potable water, was founded in 1903. The company, previously known as the Rand Water Board, is Africa’s biggest water utility.
Rand Water provides purified water which has been extracted from various sources, to metropolitan municipalities; local municipalities; industries and mines. The company is also involved in waste water sanitation.
The distribution network includes over 3000 km of pipeline, which supplies 58 service reservoirs. The average supply of water is over 3500 million litres of water per day.
ABOUT THE RAND WATER BURSARY PROGRAMME – FIELDS COVERED & SELECTION
Rand Water is inviting students to apply for their bursary programme, for the 2024 academic year.
Bursaries will be awarded for undergraduate studies, within these Water Sector-related fields:
- Applied Sciences (Masters) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Bachelor in Commerce (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Chemical Engineering (BEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Chemistry (BSc) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Civil Engineering (BEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Computer Engineering (BEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Computer Science (BSc) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Data Science (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Electrical Engineering (BEng) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Environmental Health (B Tech) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Environmental Sciences (BSc) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Geomatics (BSc) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Human Resources (B Com, BA, BAdmin) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Industrial Psychology (BTech/ BCom) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Informatics (BCom/ B) (2 bursaries will be awarded)
- Informatics Information Systems (BCom) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Information Technology (BSc) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Material Science/ Nano (Masters) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Mechanical Engineering (BEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Microbiology (BSc) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Physics Metallurgy (BEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Risk Management (Diploma) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Safety Management (Diploma) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Statistics and Data Science (BSc) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Utilization (MEng) (1 bursary will be awarded)
- Water Care (Advanced Diploma) (1 bursary will be awarded)
We are committed to keeping you up to date with the latest bursary opportunities, and this article covers all details about the Rand Water Bursary.
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE RAND WATER BURSARY
Applicants must satisfy the following minimum entry criteria before applying (please note that failure to satisfy all the requirements will lead to your application not being considered):
- You must be a South African citizen
- You must be under 35 years old
- You must have completed Matric or equivalent
- You must be studying full-time towards one of the qualifications listed above
- You must be studying at a recognised and accredited tertiary institution in South Africa
- You must have achieved a minimum overall average of 65% and academic performance in major subject
- You must be interested in working within the water sector
- You must be from a previously disadvantaged background
- You must NOT be receiving any other bursary awards or funding
- You must be self-motivated
- You must be results-driven
- You must have good written and verbal communication skills
- You must intend on completing your qualification within the specified amount of time, per the bursary agreement
- Preference will be given to female students, as well as students with disabilities (in line with Rand Water’s Employment Equity objectives)
HOW TO APPLY FOR THE RAND WATER BURSARY
Applications must be submitted online at: Rand Water Bursary Application 2024
(Reference number: RAN231110-3)
Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your application (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):
- ID document (certified copy)
- Matric certificate (certified copy)
- Most recent academic record (on institutions letterhead)
- Proof of Registration/ Acceptance letter (on institutions letterhead)
CLOSING DATE FOR THE RAND WATER BURSARY
23 November 2024.
(Applications submitted after this date will not be accepted – please apply before the closing date to ensure your application is considered.)
CONTACT THE BURSARY PROVIDER
For any queries related to this bursary programme, please contact Rand Water directly:
Head Office
Tel: 011 682 0911
Need Information or Confused about Something ?
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Complete Guide to NSFAS Online Loan Application for South African Students (2025)
If you are a South African student looking to pursue higher education but are facing financial difficulties, the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is one of the most accessible funding options available. NSFAS provides financial aid in the form of bursaries and loans to qualifying students at public universities and TVET colleges in South Africa.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about the NSFAS loan application process, from eligibility requirements to application steps and frequently asked questions.
📌 What is NSFAS?
The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is a government-funded financial aid scheme aimed at helping students from low- and middle-income households to access tertiary education without the burden of upfront fees.
NSFAS offers both bursaries and income-contingent loans:
- Bursaries: For eligible students who meet academic and household income criteria (especially for TVET and university students).
- Loans: For students who do not meet all bursary criteria or who are pursuing postgraduate qualifications not funded under bursary schemes.
✅ Who Qualifies for an NSFAS Loan?
To qualify for an NSFAS loan (especially for postgraduate students or programs not funded under the bursary system), you must:
- Be a South African citizen.
- Be financially needy, with a household income of less than R350,000 per year.
- Have a valid South African ID.
- Be enrolled or accepted to study at a public university or TVET college.
- Not be funded through another bursary program that covers all expenses.
- Maintain satisfactory academic progress (returning students).
📚 Courses Funded by NSFAS
NSFAS primarily funds undergraduate qualifications, but certain postgraduate programs (e.g., PGCE, postgraduate diplomas in education, and professional courses like LLB) may be considered under the NSFAS loan scheme, not bursaries.
If you’re studying:
- Undergraduate degree or diploma: You are likely eligible for a full NSFAS bursary.
- Postgraduate study: You may qualify for a loan, depending on the course and funding availability.
📄 Required Documents for NSFAS Application
When applying, make sure you have the following documents scanned and ready:
- Certified copy of your South African ID or Smart Card.
- Parent(s) or guardian(s) ID documents.
- Proof of income (latest payslips, UIF, or affidavit if unemployed).
- Consent Form signed by your parent(s)/guardian(s) to allow NSFAS to verify income.
- Proof of registration or acceptance at a public institution.
- Academic transcripts (for continuing or postgraduate students).
🖥️ How to Apply for an NSFAS Loan Online
Step-by-Step NSFAS Online Application Process (2025)
-
Visit the NSFAS Website
Go to: https://www.nsfas.org.za
-
Create an Account
- Click on “MyNSFAS” and register your profile.
- You’ll need a valid email address and South African cellphone number.
- Choose a strong password and verify your account via email or SMS.
-
Login and Start the Application
- After registration, log in to your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Apply” to begin a new application.
-
Fill in Your Personal Details
- Input your ID number, name, surname, and other details exactly as they appear on your ID.
- Provide household income information and living arrangements.
-
Upload Required Documents
- Upload all supporting documents in PDF or JPEG format.
- Each document must be clear and under the size limit specified.
-
Submit Your Application
- Review your application for accuracy.
- Click “Submit” and wait for a confirmation message.
-
Track Your Application
- Log in regularly to check your application status.
- You will be notified via SMS and email at each stage of the process.
🗓️ Important NSFAS Dates (2025)
- Application Opening Date: September 1, 2025
- Application Deadline: January 31, 2026
- Appeals Period: February 2026 (if rejected)
- Disbursement: After registration and approval
Note: Dates are subject to change; always confirm on the official NSFAS website.
💸 What Does the NSFAS Loan Cover?
NSFAS funding typically includes:
- Tuition fees
- Registration fees
- Accommodation (if living away from home)
- Meals and transport
- Learning materials (e.g., textbooks)
For loans, repayment is only required once you start working and earn above a threshold (around R30,000 annually, but subject to change).
🔄 NSFAS Loan Repayment
Repayments are:
- Income-contingent – you only repay when you can afford to.
- Administered by DHET (Department of Higher Education and Training).
- Interest-bearing, but interest rates are low and favorable.
You can also apply for a partial loan conversion to a bursary if you perform well academically.
🔁 How to Appeal a Rejected NSFAS Application
If your application is rejected, you may submit an appeal via your MyNSFAS portal:
- Log into your MyNSFAS account.
- Click on “Track Funding Progress”.
- If rejected, click on “Submit Appeal”.
- Upload any missing or corrected documents.
- Provide a clear explanation or motivation.
📱 NSFAS Contact Information
- Website: https://www.nsfas.org.za
- Email: info@nsfas.org.za
- Toll-Free Number: 08000 67327 (Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM)
- Twitter: @myNSFAS
- Facebook: NSFAS
📝 Final Tips Before Applying
- Apply early to avoid system overload near the deadline.
- Use your own email and cellphone number (do not use someone else’s).
- Double-check that all your documents are certified and legible.
- Keep a copy of your submission confirmation for reference.
By following this guide, you can confidently apply for NSFAS funding and move one step closer to achieving your academic and career dreams—without the burden of immediate financial pressure.