Beyond Matric | Bursaries for Grade 12 Graduates

Beyond Matric

A bursary and mentorship programme for Grade 12 graduates who have the ability and deserve the opportunity.

The Reality

Every year, thousands of South African Grade 12 graduates qualify for university — and never get there.

Not because they lack intelligence. Not because they lack ambition. Not because they didn’t study hard enough or dream big enough. Simply because they cannot afford the registration fee.

Tuition. Accommodation. Textbooks. A laptop. A living allowance to survive while they study. These are not luxuries. They are the minimum requirements of a tertiary education but for millions of South African families, they are completely out of reach.

And so another matric graduate, with distinctions in hand and a future full of potential, joins the 5+ million unemployed young South Africans. Not by choice. Not by failure but, by circumstance.

"The difference between a life of potential and a life of poverty is often R30 000 for a registration fee. We refuse to accept thate".

This is the gap Beyond Matric was born to close. One student at a time. One bursary at a time. One future at a time.

The Programme

What is Beyond Matric?

Beyond Matric is Wezizwe Foundation’s bursary and holistic support programme for academically deserving Grade 12 graduates from disadvantaged backgrounds who cannot afford to pursue tertiary education without financial assistance.

We cover what NSFAS doesn’t. We support what families can’t. And we believe in what the system has given up on.

Every Beyond Matric student receives full or partial financial support — covering tuition, registration, accommodation, textbooks, a laptop, and living expenses. But we don’t stop at money. Every student is also paired with a professional mentor in their chosen field, who walks alongside them throughout their academic journey — from orientation week to graduation day.
Academic progress is tracked every semester. Donors receive detailed impact reports on their student’s performance, challenges, and achievements. No one gets lost. No one gets left behind.

Full or partial bursaries covering all core study costs

Professional mentorship throughout the student’s qualification

Semester-by-semester academic progress tracking

Detailed impact reports to all donors and programme partners

Priority given to black students from previously disadvantaged communities

The process

How Beyond Matric works - step by step.

1. Apply

Students submit an application with their academic records, proof of financial need and a brief personal motivation. Applications open annually.

2. Selection

A panel of educators and Wezizwe Foundation representatives reviews all applications. Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.

3. Fund & Support

The bursary is disbursed and the student enrolls at their chosen accredited institution. A professional mentor is assigned to student.

4. Track & Report

Academic results are tracked every semester. Donors receive a detailed impact report with the student’s progress, challenges and achievements.

ELIGIBILITY

You are a Grade 12 learner or recent matriculant

You are from a disadvantaged or low-income household

You are a South African citizen

You have worked hard and it shows in your result

You have been accepted at or intend to apply to an accredited South African university or college

You cannot afford to fund your own tertiary education without assistance

Priority is given to:

Black students from previously disadvantaged communities

Young women

First-generation university students

If you are not sure whether you qualify, apply anyway and let us make that determination together. We would rather hear from you than have you talk yourself out of applying.

SPONSOR A STUDENT

Mentorship for one student for a year.

R6 000

SPONSOR

Living allowance & transport for one semester.

R10 000

SPONSOR

Textbooks, laptop & study materials for a full year.

R30 000

SPONSOR

Accommodation for a full year.

R60 000

SPONSOR

Full tuition & registration fees for one academic year

R150 000

SPONSOR

"Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world" - Nelson Mandela

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CORPORATE INVESTMENT

A measurable, impactful CSI that delivers real results and real change. 100% previously disadvantaged beneficiaries.

Measurable outcomes and annual reporting

Naming rights available for programme cohorts

Employees as mentors in the Beyond Matric mentorship programme

Featured partner recognition across all communications and events

Download Our
Beyond Matric Proposal

Think you qualify? We want to hear from you.

Beyond Matric applications open annually. If you are a Grade 12 learner or recent matriculant who believes you qualify, complete the expression of interest form below and we will contact you with full application details when the next intake opens.

registering your interest

Prefer to apply by email?

Send your details and a brief motivation to admin@wezizwefoundation.org with the subject line ‘Beyond Matric Application — [Your Name]’. Include your most recent academic results and your ID number.

FAQs

Questions about Beyond Matric? We have answers.

Does having NSFAS affect my eligibility for Beyond Matric?

No. Beyond Matric is specifically designed to complement NSFAS or support students who do not qualify for NSFAS funding. If you have received NSFAS but it does not cover all your costs, you may still be eligible for a partial Beyond Matric bursary. If you have not received NSFAS, Beyond Matric can provide full support. Contact us to discuss your specific situation.

Which institutions are eligible?

Beyond Matric supports students enrolling at any accredited South African public university, university of technology, or TVET college. The institution must be registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training (DHET). If you are unsure whether your institution qualifies, email us at admin@wezizwefoundation.org.

Can I apply before I receive my matric results?

Yes. You can submit an expression of interest before your matric results are released. We will hold your application and complete the assessment once results are available. We encourage you to register your interest as early as possible so you are first in line when the formal application window opens.

What fields of study are supported?

Beyond Matric supports students across all fields of study — from medicine and engineering to education, law, commerce, social work, and the arts. Your field of study does not affect your eligibility. What matters is your academic potential, your financial need, and your commitment to completing your qualification.

How long does the bursary last?

The Beyond Matric bursary is awarded annually and renewed each year subject to satisfactory academic progress. Students who maintain the required academic standard and remain in good standing with Wezizwe Foundation are eligible for renewal for the full duration of their registered qualification.

What happens if I fail a module or face challenges during my studies?

Life happens — and we know that. Beyond Matric students are not abandoned the moment things get difficult. Your mentor is there specifically to support you through academic challenges, and our team will work with you to find solutions before any bursary decisions are made. We invest in people, not just results.

ELIGIBILITY

Compliance

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