UFS Bursary: Star of Stars Competition South Africa 2024

ABOUT THE BURSARY PROVIDER – UFS

The University of the Free State (UFS) first opened in 1904 as a tertiary section of Grey College, then in 1950 its name was changed to the University of the Orange Free State when it was declared an independent Afrikaans-language university, it wasn’t until 2001 that the name changed to the University of the Free State.

Today, UFS has 3 campuses: South Campus located in Bloemfontein, Main Campus or Bloemfontein Campus located in Bloemfontein and Qwaqwa Campus in the Free State. The University has 9 faculties which offer a range of undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications, including: Business School Faculty, Economic and Management Sciences Faculty, Education Faculty, Health Sciences Faculty, Humanities Faculty, Law Faculty, Natural & Agricultural Sciences Faculty, Open Distance Learning Faculty and Theology & Religion Faculty.

ABOUT THE UFS STAR OF STARS BURSARY COMPETITION

The University of the Free State (UFS) is inviting students from the Free State province to apply for the Star of Stars Competition, for the 2025 academic year.

The bursary competition will cover studies at UFS in 2025, in ANY field of study.

Students will be evaluated and selected based on 3 main categories: academic performance, leadership achievements, and community involvement. Recipients will receive prize money, personal development, and exposure.

MORE ABOUT THE UFS STAR OF STARS BURSARY COMPETITION – SELECTION

The bursary will be awarded based on 3 main criteria: academic performance, leadership achievements, and community involvement.

The top 20 finalists will be announced by 30 September 2024 and prizes will be delivered to eligible candidates at their schools. Top finalists must achieve a minimum APS score of 35 in their Matric final results.

The winners of the competition will be announced during a gala evening in early February 2025. The top 10 finalists must attend the Star of the Stars weekend and the gala event in early February 2025.

Bursary awards will be paid in 2025 after the student has registered at the UFS. The bursary competition will allow for students to excel academically through personal development, counseling, and mentorship.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE UFS STAR OF STARS BURSARY COMPETITION

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 currently in Matric, in the 2024 academic year
• You must be residing in one of these 5 districts in the Free State province: Fezile Dabi, Lejweleputswa, Motheo, Thabo Mofutsanyana and Xhariep
• You must be attending school in the Free State at a Quintile 1, 2 or 3 school (Dinaledi school, township school or rural school) (quintile 1, 2 and 3 have been declared no-fee schools)
• You must have a strong academic record
• You must have applied to studying at the University of the Free State, for the 2025 academic year, before the competition closing date (read how to apply to study at UFS)
• You must read and agree to all the T&C’s of the competition (on the application form)

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE UFS STAR OF STARS BURSARY COMPETITION

Download and complete the UFS Star of Stars Bursary Competition Application Form 2024 (.pdf)

Submit clear copies of the following supporting documentation along with your completed application form (the submission of these documents is compulsory – if any items are missing, your application may be disqualified):

• ID document (certified copy)
• Grade 11 final results (certified copy)
• Matric March results (certified copy)
• Matric June results (certified copy)
• Grade 11 and Matric achievements (letters/ certificates or other documentary proof of provincial and national achievements – distinguish between your achievements in Grade 11 and Matric)
• Motivational letter explaining why you deserve to be chosen for the bursary competition (approximately 500 words)

Note: the application form must be stamped and signed by your school principal to confirm that all information on the application form is correct.
Applications must be submitted in one of the following ways:
– Post:
Star of Stars
Attention: Director
Student Recruitment Services
PO Box 339
Bloemfontein
9300

– Hand delivery:
Student Recruitment Services
Wekkie Saayman Building
c/o Rector and Graduandi Avenue
UFS Campus
Bloemfontein

CLOSING DATE FOR THE UFS STAR OF STARS BURSARY COMPETITION

31 August 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 the University of the Free State (UFS) directly:
Contact person: Teli Mothabeng
Email: mothabengti@ufs.ac.za

Tel: 051 401 3000
Email: info@ufs.ac.za / ufsmarketing@ufs.ac.za
Please do NOT contact the UFS if this bursary has already closed.