Nedbank has announced that it’s bursary programme for 2015 applications will be open from 3rd of February until 30th April 2015. It will be open to Grade 12 learners; first year students registering in 2015; and students who have already registered with a recognised public South African university for either under-graduate or post-graduate studies.
Nedbank is one of the country’s oldest financial institutions, having been founded way back in 1845. Today Nedbank provides a wealth of services including savings, investments, asset management, banking, life assurance, property and casualty insurance in various parts of the world (Africa, Asia, the Americas and Europe), and of course banking.
The company, which has several international and local brands including Nedbank, Old Mutual, and Mutual & Federal, has been listed on both the Johannesburg and London Stock Exchanges since 1999.
Degrees and Diplomas Covered by the Nedbank Bursary Programme
Nedbank bursaries may be used to fund students in a wide variety of studies including:
• Bachelor of Science in mathematics and statistics; actuarial science; computer science; quantity surveying; agriculture; engineering; or property and construction studies.
• Bachelor of Commerce in accounting; banking; economics; business finance; business science; business management; marketing, human resources (HR); mathematics and statistics; or risk management.
• An LLB or other law degree.
• National Diploma in property-relat4ed studies; IT or B Tech IT; quantity surveying.
• Some arts qualifications.
This means that the interests of various Sector Education Training Authorities (SETAs) are covered, including the Agricultural SETA (AgriSETA), Banking SETA (BankSETA), Construction SETA (CetaSETA), Financial, Accounting, Management, Consulting and other Financial Services SETA (FassetSETA), and the Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services SETA (MerSETA).
Requirements for Acceptance to the Bursary Programme
All applicants must have achieved an average academic record of at least 65 percent, and the university entrance criteria set by the tertiary institution must be met. If applicants did not initially study for a degree after they matriculated, they will only be considered for a bursary if they matriculated at least two years prior to the year to be funded – for instance in 2014 if the bursary is granted for 2016.
Institutions that may be funded are either:
• Public South African universities that are registered with the Council of Higher Education, or
• Universities of Technology that offer courses in IT and property-related subjects.
Additional requirements specified by Nedbank are that students must have a “financial need”; they should be “smart with heart” and should show potential for leadership; they should want to study fulltime; and they must be South African citizens. No part-time studies or bridging programmes will be considered.
Nedbank’s Bursary Application Process
The process you need to follow to apply for a bursary is simple but specific:
1. The first step is to apply for a bursary. Your application may be faxed, posted, delivered to a Nedbank office by hand, or you can apply online.
2. Once you have applied, you will be notified that the application has been received and that it is “under review”.
3. Nedbank has a selection and screening process that it uses to shortlist successful applicants.
4. All applicants who have been shortlisted have to undergo a special means test to assess their need for financial assistance.
5. All applicants who have been shortlisted, and who pass the means test, will be invited to be interviewed by a Nedbank member of staff.
6. Applicants who get this far are shortlisted again and then assessed in Johannesburg, Cape Town or Durban.
7. Successful applicants are offered bursaries, conditional on certain requirements including:
a. Proof of final Grade 12 results
b. Proof that they have been accepted at a registered institution for an under-graduate degree
Bursaries cover costs of registration, tuition fees, textbooks prescribed for various courses, examination and other compulsory charges, as well as accommodation and meals at the university residence.
Information about Application Forms are Available from the Nedbank Website
Information about the bursary programme for 2015 is available on its website.