HCI Foundation Bursary Programme
HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices)
The HCI Foundation Bursary Programme offers partial postgraduate funding to financially needy, academically strong South African students completing Honours degrees or Postgraduate Diplomas at approved universities. The bursary covers up to 75% of tuition fees, capped at R40,000 per year, with no repayment and no work-back obligation. It is administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department together with the Financial Aid and Advancement offices of partner universities including UCT, Wits, UP, Stellenbosch and UKZN.
- Amount
- Partial bursary covering up to 75% of tuition fees, capped at a maximum of R40,000 per annum, paid directly into the student's fee account at their institution (around July each year)
- Deadline
- 10 March 2026
- Renewable
- No
Eligible Fields of Study
HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices) supports students in the following disciplines
Eligibility Requirements
- ✓ South African citizen, refugee or asylum seeker
- ✓ Studying full-time towards an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma at an approved university
- ✓ Gross/combined family income of less than R38,000 per month (demonstrated financial need)
- ✓ Aged 35 or younger on 31 March 2026
- ✓ Strong academic performance
- ✓ Cannot already hold a full-cost bursary from another source
What's Included
- ✓ Up to 75% of tuition fees, capped at R40,000 per year
- ✓ No repayment obligation
- ✓ No work-back obligation under normal circumstances
- ✓ Funds paid directly into the student's institutional fee account (around July each year)
- ✓ Opportunities to engage in community projects, tutoring/mentoring and volunteering
Work Commitment
No work-back obligation under normal circumstances. Recipients are, however, expected to participate in community projects, tutoring or mentoring and volunteering activities.
How to Apply
Steps to complete your HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices) bursary application
- 1
Confirm that applications are open via the HCI Foundation bursaries page (hcifoundation.co.za/bursaries) or the bursary portal at bursary.hcifoundation.co.za
- 2
Check that you meet the eligibility criteria, including the family income threshold and age limit
- 3
Note that the bursary is increasingly facilitated by invitation through each university's Financial Aid / Advancement Office, so confirm the process with your institution
- 4
Complete the HCI Foundation bursary application online and attach all required supporting documents
- 5
Submit your application before the closing date (closing dates vary by university; for 2026 applications ran approximately 1 February to 10 March 2026)
- 6
Wait for the HCI Foundation Bursary Department and your university's Financial Aid office to assess applications and notify successful candidates
Required Documents
- 📄 Certified copy of your South African ID, or refugee / asylum-seeker documentation
- 📄 Latest full academic transcript / results
- 📄 Proof of registration or acceptance for full-time Honours or Postgraduate Diploma study at an approved university
- 📄 Proof of household income (e.g. payslips, pension or social grant statements, or an affidavit) demonstrating combined family income below R38,000 per month
- 📄 Curriculum vitae
- 📄 Motivational letter
Frequently Asked Questions
- How much does the HCI Foundation Bursary cover?
- It is a partial bursary covering up to 75% of tuition fees, capped at a maximum of R40,000 per year. The funds are paid directly into your fee account at your institution, usually around July each year. It does not cover books, residence, transport, living expenses or meals.
- Who qualifies for the HCI Foundation Bursary?
- You must be a South African citizen, refugee or asylum seeker, aged 35 or younger on 31 March 2026, studying full-time towards an Honours degree or Postgraduate Diploma at an approved university, with strong academic results and a combined family income of less than R38,000 per month. You cannot already hold a full-cost bursary from another source.
- Is there a repayment or work-back obligation?
- No. Under normal circumstances the bursary carries no repayment and no work-back obligation. Recipients are, however, expected to give back by participating in community projects, tutoring or mentoring and volunteering.
- When does the HCI Foundation Bursary close?
- For the 2026 academic year applications ran from approximately 1 February to 10 March 2026, with the exact closing date varying by university, and are expected to reopen around February 2027. The programme is increasingly facilitated by invitation through each university's Financial Aid / Advancement Office, so confirm the process and dates with your institution.
Ready to apply?
Applications close on 10 March 2026
Apply on HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices)'s official siteNeed help? Contact HCI Foundation (corporate social investment arm of Hosken Consolidated Investments Ltd, administered by the HCI Foundation Bursary Department in partnership with university Financial Aid / Advancement offices):
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 021 424 6010
Information verified 2026-03-10. Always confirm details on the funder's official website before applying.
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