Umthombo Youth Development Foundation (UYDF) invites South African students to apply for Bursary Programme 2025.
Bursary Application Closing date is 31 December 2024 (at 16:30).
The UYDF Bursary Programme provides financial support for students from the uMkhanyakude, Zululand, and King Cetshwayo districts in KwaZulu-Natal, who are pursuing health science degrees and need additional top-up funding from NSFAS.
Health Science Degrees Supported:
The bursary is available for students studying the following qualifications:
- Audiology
- Dentistry
- Dental Therapy
- Medicine
- Nursing
- Occupational Therapy
- Optometry
- Physiotherapy
- Radiography (Ultrasonography)
- Speech and Language Therapy
Bursary Support and Benefits:
The bursary provides the following:
- Top-up funding for NSFAS allowances, covering costs not covered by NSFAS.
- Academic and social mentoring to help students with challenges.
- Work exposure opportunities at rural hospitals to gain practical experience.
- Student Lifeskills Workshops to develop life and work skills.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for a Zoom interview between January and February 2025.
Eligibility Requirements:
Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Residency: Must be from the uMkhanyakude, Zululand, or King Cetshwayo districts (KwaZulu-Natal) and the surrounding hospital catchment areas (listed below).Hospitals in the catchment areas:
- Umkhanyakude District: Bethesda, Hlabisa, Manguzi, Mosvold, Mseleni
- Zululand District: Benedictine, Ceza, Itshelejuba, Nkonjeni, Vryheid
- King Cetshwayo District: Catherine Booth, Ekombe, KwaMagwaza, Mbongolwane, Nkandla
- Academic Status:
- Must be currently in Matric or have already completed Matric.
- Must be studying or planning to study one of the health science qualifications listed above.
- Must have been accepted to study at a recognized public university in South Africa (excluding UNISA).
- Must be entering the 1st or 2nd year of study in 2025 for a 4-year degree or entering the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd year of study for a medical degree.
- Must be pursuing your first degree (no previous degrees or diplomas).
- NSFAS Funding:
- Must have NSFAS funding or have applied for NSFAS funding for 2025.
- Work Commitment:
- Must be willing to work at one of the listed hospitals for at least two years after graduation.
- Preference: Preference will be given to Matriculants.
How to Apply:
- Download and complete the UYDF Bursary Application Form 2025 (available as a PDF).
- Supporting Documents: Submit clear copies of the following:
- Certified copy of your ID document or passport.
- Certified copy of your Matric June results or Matric certificate.
- Full academic record and a letter from your department stating the year you are in (if currently studying).
- Proof of application or acceptance at a tertiary institution.
- Latest fee statement (if currently studying).
- Proof of NSFAS acceptance.
- Completed Declaration form (last page of the application form).
- Submit your application:
- Email: Send to Cebile@umthomboyouth.org.za (Subject: “UYDF Bursary Application 2025”).
- Fax: Send to 086 554 1565.
Note: In your application, be sure to mention which hospital is nearest to you so UYDF can inform them about your application.