Top 10 Scholarship Databases and Eligibility Checkers for South African Students — Career Guidance South Africa

Access to the right scholarship and bursary databases can be the difference between paying fees and graduating debt-free. Below is an expert, actionable guide to the top 10 South African scholarship databases and eligibility checkers, how to use them, and how to prioritise opportunities that match your profile. This article forms part of the Funding, Bursaries & Financial Aid in South Africa pillar for Career Guidance South Africa.

Why these resources matter

• They centralise applications from universities, corporates, trusts and government programmes.
• Many include eligibility checkers or filters (study level, field, citizenship, income thresholds) so you don’t waste time applying to ineligible awards.
• Using multiple portals increases your hit-rate — apply broadly and early. For trusted government funding and eligibility checks use NSFAS first. (nsfas.org.za)

How to use this list

1. Start with NSFAS (if you meet means-test criteria) then move to institutional / corporate searches. (nsfas.org.za)
2. Use filters (level, field, closing date) and set alerts where available.
3. Keep a funding tracker (deadline, documents, contact) — see the internal Funding Checklist and Deadline Calendar linked below.
4. Verify each listing on the original provider’s page to avoid scams. Several portals explicitly warn students not to pay to apply. (zabursaries.co.za)

Top 10 scholarship databases & eligibility checkers (quick summary)

1. NSFAS — myNSFAS eligibility & status checker (official).

   • Best for: South African students qualifying for government funding.
   • Why: Official means-tested bursary; online myNSFAS portal, USSD and WhatsApp status checks. (nsfas.org.za)

2. Bursaries.co.za

   • Best for: Large searchable directory of corporate and trust bursaries across fields.
   • Why: Detailed listings plus direct links to provider websites; often includes closing dates and application steps. (bursaries.co.za)

3. SA Bursaries (ZABursaries)

   • Best for: Month-by-month closing lists and national coverage.
   • Why: Frequent updates and categorized lists by field and study level. Also provides legitimacy guidance. (zabursaries.co.za)

4. CareersPortal (CareersPortal.co.za) — Scholarships & bursaries section

   • Best for: Students planning courses and searching bursaries in tandem.
   • Why: Integrated study/career guidance and bursary listings for South Africa. (careersportal.co.za)

5. SAStudy (SAstudy.co.za) — bursary & institution profiles

   • Best for: Students comparing institutions and funding options together.
   • Why: Institution profiles and a bursary section that links to providers. (sastudy.co.za)

6. CareerHelp / Khetha (DHET) — bursary & funding resources

   • Best for: Government-led career/funding information and referrals.
   • Why: DHET’s career support service points learners to public funding channels and advice. (careerhelp.org.za)

7. FreshTalent (Freshtalent.co.za) — bursary aggregator

   • Best for: Filterable listings by field, funding type and nationality.
   • Why: Search & filter UX designed for active bursaries and closing soon alerts. (freshtalent.co.za)

8. AllBursaries (Allbursaries.co.za)

   • Best for: Broad marketing of corporate and NGO bursaries; quick scanning of available awards.
   • Why: Widely referenced by institutions and local media; large archive of calls. (webrate.org)

9. Opportunities for Africans (Opportunitiesforafricans.com)

   • Best for: Continental opportunities with strong South African listings (scholarships, fellowships, internships).
   • Why: Good for cross-border scholarships and international awards open to South Africans. (ahrefs.com)

10. Graduates24 / Grads24 (Graduates24.com) — bursary & graduate opportunity portal

    • Best for: Graduates and final-year students looking for bursaries, learnerships and internships.
    • Why: High-traffic site with learnerships, internships and bursary calls; useful for work-back bursaries tied to employment. (ahrefs.com)

Side-by-side comparison (at-a-glance)

Database / Checker	Best for	Key eligibility/filter	Fee
NSFAS (myNSFAS)	Means-tested national bursary	Household income thresholds, registered at public HEI	Free. (nsfas.org.za)
Bursaries.co.za	Corporate / trust bursaries	Field, study level, closing dates	Free. (bursaries.co.za)
SA Bursaries (ZABursaries)	Monthly closing lists	Field, institution	Free. (zabursaries.co.za)
CareersPortal	Course + bursary matching	Course & institution filters	Free. (careersportal.co.za)
SAStudy	Institution + bursary info	Institution profiles	Free. (sastudy.co.za)
CareerHelp (DHET)	Government referrals	National programmes & advice	Free. (careerhelp.org.za)
FreshTalent	Filtered bursary search	Field, nationality, funding type	Free. (freshtalent.co.za)
AllBursaries	Broad corporate listings	Field & closing dates	Free. (webrate.org)
Opportunities for Africans	International & SA listings	International scholarships, fellowships	Free. (ahrefs.com)
Graduates24	Graduate bursaries & learnerships	Graduate-level opportunities	Free. (ahrefs.com)

How to check eligibility quickly (practical steps)

• For NSFAS: register / log in to myNSFAS and check your dashboard; use the USSD code or official WhatsApp for fast status checks. Keep supporting documents ready (IDs, proof of income). (nsfas.org.za)
• For aggregator sites: use filters (study level, field, citizenship). Bookmark and subscribe to alerts for closing dates. (bursaries.co.za)
• For corporate bursaries: read the provider’s T&Cs on their official site — many require work-back or internship commitments; confirm the employment obligation before accepting. (bursaries.co.za)

Application checklist (fast)

• Valid South African ID or passport (if required)
• Certified academic transcripts and latest results
• Proof of household income (payslips / affidavit)
• Motivation letter tailored to the bursary (field-specific) — see the bursary application templates guide linked below
• CV and letters of reference (where requested)
• Submit before closing date and keep confirmation screenshots/emails

Quick tips from an admissions/funding perspective

• Prioritise applications with narrower eligibility — fewer applicants can mean better odds.
• Reuse supporting documents but customise the motivation letter for each application.
• Watch for scams: legitimate bursaries do not ask for application fees. If asked to pay, stop and verify. (zabursaries.co.za)

Useful next reads from Career Guidance South Africa

• Career Guidance South Africa: How NSFAS Works and Who Qualifies — Step-by-Step Application
• How to Build a Bursary Application That Wins: Templates and Examples for South African Students
• Top Institutional and Corporate Bursaries in South Africa: Deadlines, Requirements and Tips
• Complete Guide to Funding Your Studies in South Africa: Loans, Scholarships and Tax Incentives
• Bursary vs Loan: Choosing the Best Financial Aid for South African Students
• NSFAS Appeals and Problems: What South African Students Need to Know
• Corporate Bursary Schemes in South Africa: How to Find and Apply for Employer-Funded Grants
• Funding Checklist and Deadline Calendar for South African University Applicants
• SETAs Funding and Learnership Support: How to Access Skills Development Grants in South Africa

Final word

Use NSFAS first if you meet the means test, then run a parallel search across the aggregators above. Track deadlines carefully, tailor your motivation letters, and verify every award on the provider’s official page before applying. If you need a personalised shortlist (by course, year of study and household income), tell me your study level and field and I’ll prepare a ranked list of scholarships to apply to next.