SMU Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028 Application

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028 Application

Students planning to study at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in 2028 can explore several sources of financial assistance, including university-based merit bursaries, NSFAS funding, postgraduate bursaries, private bursaries, scholarships and other external funding opportunities.

For many prospective students, securing funding is an important part of preparing for university. SMU’s Financial Aid Office states that financial aid is intended to help students access tertiary education, although funding is subject to financial and academic criteria and is not automatically available to every applicant.

This guide provides an overview of Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University scholarships and bursaries for the 2028 application, while distinguishing confirmed information from details that may change before the 2028 academic year.

What Scholarships and Bursaries Are Available at SMU for 2028?

Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University provides access to different categories of student funding. These include:

SMU merit bursaries
NSFAS funding
Postgraduate tuition bursaries
Private and external bursaries
Donor-funded scholarships
Research and postgraduate funding
International scholarship opportunities
Student loans and education-finance options

SMU’s Financial Aid Office specifically lists NSFAS applications, bursaries, scholarship programmes, postgraduate tuition bursaries, the SMU and Standard Bank student loan and Fundi funding applications among its financial-aid resources.

The university also maintains a dedicated scholarship and funding structure through its student recruitment and financial-aid platforms.

1. SMU Merit Bursaries

One of the most important university-based funding opportunities for new students is the SMU merit bursary.

SMU has previously documented merit bursaries for first-time entering students who perform exceptionally well in their Grade 12 examinations. The university’s published information says these bursaries are intended for students entering their first degree after Grade 12 and who have not previously studied at another higher-education institution.

This means that learners intending to apply for SMU in 2028 should not focus only on meeting the minimum admission requirements. Strong Grade 12 performance may also be relevant when university merit funding is considered.

Historical SMU documentation described a 70% or higher average in the final Grade 12 examination as the threshold for a merit bursary. However, because this criterion comes from earlier university documentation, applicants should not assume that 70% will be the confirmed requirement for 2028.

Who Should Consider the SMU Merit Bursary?

Prospective applicants should monitor this opportunity if they are:

First-time university students
Completing Grade 12
Planning to start their first degree at SMU
Performing strongly academically
Not previously enrolled at another higher-education institution
Able to demonstrate the academic performance required in the applicable funding cycle

The final 2028 criteria should be confirmed directly with SMU’s Financial Aid Office.

2. NSFAS Bursary for SMU Students

The National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS) is another major funding option for eligible South African students.

SMU confirms that students approved for NSFAS funding can study at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University.

NSFAS is a government-funded scheme that provides financial assistance to qualifying students at South African public universities and TVET colleges.

3. Postgraduate Bursaries at SMU

SMU also provides funding opportunities for postgraduate students.

This is particularly relevant to students pursuing qualifications such as:

Honours
Master’s degrees
Doctoral degrees

The university’s Research Directorate states that postgraduate funding supports Honours, Master’s and Doctoral students and that the Postgraduate Funding Office informs students about national and international bursary and scholarship opportunities.

SMU also published an Application for a Postgraduate Tuition Bursary 2026, demonstrating that the university has an established postgraduate tuition-bursary mechanism. The 2026 call had a stated closing date of 31 May 2026.

For 2028 applicants, this means postgraduate students should regularly monitor SMU’s postgraduate funding announcements rather than relying exclusively on undergraduate bursary opportunities.

What Can Postgraduate Funding Cover?

The exact benefits depend on the specific bursary.

A postgraduate tuition bursary may focus primarily on tuition costs, while research funding or an external scholarship could provide additional support.

Applicants should therefore check whether an opportunity covers:

Tuition
Registration
Research costs
Accommodation
Living expenses
Books
Conference attendance
Research equipment
Travel

Do not assume that every postgraduate bursary is a fully funded scholarship.

4. External and Private Bursaries

Students who do not receive NSFAS or an SMU merit bursary should not stop looking for funding.

SMU maintains a bursary information section and has historically encouraged students to apply for bursaries offered by companies, government departments and municipalities.

External bursaries may be particularly relevant to SMU students because the university specialises in health sciences and related academic fields.

Depending on the year and funder, opportunities may be available from:

Government departments
Provincial departments of health
Municipalities
Medical and pharmaceutical companies
Research organisations
Professional bodies
Charitable foundations
Private companies
Corporate social-investment programmes
International organisations

The availability of these bursaries changes frequently, which is why applicants should verify each opportunity independently.

5. Health Sciences Bursaries

Because SMU is a specialised health sciences university, prospective students should also investigate bursaries specifically intended for health-related fields.

The National Department of Health provides a bursary information page containing contact information for provincial Departments of Health and state-organ bursaries.

This is useful for students studying areas such as:

Medicine
Nursing
Pharmacy
Dentistry
Physiotherapy
Occupational Therapy
Radiography
Dietetics
Environmental Health
Public Health
Biomedical Sciences
Other health-related disciplines

However, health-sector bursaries frequently have additional conditions. Some may include service obligations after graduation, while others may target particular professions, provinces or disadvantaged communities.

Applicants should carefully read the terms and conditions before accepting an award.

6. SMU Scholarship Programme

SMU also has a broader scholarship programme supported through institutional fundraising.

The university’s Annual Fund explains that SMU is heavily reliant on NSFAS and that its scholarship programme is intended to expand the pool of funding available to academically deserving yet financially needy students.

This is an important distinction.

A university scholarship may not necessarily operate in exactly the same way as NSFAS. Funding can depend on available donor resources, academic performance, financial need and the conditions attached to a particular scholarship.

The availability and value of these scholarships can therefore vary.

Students should watch the official SMU Financial Aid and scholarship announcements for specific 2028 calls.

7. SMU Alumni Bursary Fund

Another source of support associated with the university is the SMU Alumni Bursary Fund.

SMU explains that the Alumni Bursary Fund exists to help students who need financial assistance and that donations to the fund are directed towards supporting students at the university.

The university has highlighted challenges faced by students who struggle to afford:

Food
Transport
Accommodation-related needs
Textbooks
Other educational expenses

The Alumni Bursary Fund forms part of the broader effort to support students who might otherwise struggle to complete their studies.

Applicants should confirm directly with SMU whether an Alumni Bursary Fund application is open to new 2028 applicants and what the current eligibility conditions are.

8. International Scholarships and Funding

International students considering SMU may also find scholarship opportunities through international funding programmes.

SMU’s International Students Office states that it coordinates international scholarship and research funding opportunities and refers to programmes such as Fulbright and Erasmus Mundus.

The university also facilitates international scholarship programmes for staff and postgraduate students.

International applicants should therefore consider both:

Funding offered directly through SMU; and
Scholarships offered by governments, universities, foundations and international organisations.

However, international students should carefully examine eligibility because some South African government bursaries are restricted to South African citizens.

9. Research Funding for Postgraduate Students

Students pursuing research degrees at SMU should explore research funding in addition to ordinary student bursaries.

SMU’s Research Directorate includes a dedicated Postgraduate Funding function and states that it provides information about national and international bursary and scholarship opportunities.

This is especially relevant to students pursuing:

Honours research
Master’s research
Doctoral research
Health sciences research
Biomedical research
Public health research
Clinical research
Laboratory research
Epidemiology
Other health-related research areas

Research students should begin looking for funding early because some research scholarships have application cycles that open months before registration.

10. Fundi Education Funding

SMU also provides information about Fundi, an education-finance provider.

According to SMU’s prospectus, Fundi provides education financing that can be used for areas including tuition and registration fees, outstanding balances, textbooks, accommodation, laptops, tablets and other study-related requirements.

Fundi should be distinguished from a conventional bursary.

A bursary or scholarship generally provides funding according to the conditions of the awarding organisation, while education finance can involve a loan or other financing arrangement.

Students should carefully review the repayment terms and total cost before entering into a financing agreement.

Are SMU Scholarships and Bursaries Fully Funded?

Not necessarily.

This is an important point for applicants searching for “SMU fully funded scholarships.”

Different funding opportunities cover different expenses.

One bursary may cover tuition only. Another may cover tuition and accommodation. A scholarship could provide a broader package, while NSFAS funding can include tuition and approved allowances for eligible students.

Before accepting any bursary, check whether it covers:

Expense	Check Before Applying
Tuition fees	Yes
Registration fees	Yes
Accommodation	Yes
Meals/living allowance	Yes
Books	Yes
Learning materials	Yes
Transport	Yes
Laptop/tablet	Yes
Research expenses	Yes
Clinical requirements	Yes
Other university fees	Yes

The phrase “full bursary” should not be interpreted automatically as covering every possible university expense.

How to Apply for SMU Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028

Although the application process differs between funding providers, prospective students can use the following general approach.

Step 1: Apply for admission to SMU

Admission to the university and funding applications are generally separate processes.

Do not assume that applying for admission automatically means you have applied for every bursary.

SMU’s application information requires applicants to submit their academic and identification documents and complete the application process.

Step 2: Determine what funding you need

Identify whether you need:

Tuition funding
Accommodation
Living expenses
Books
Transport
Research funding
A combination of these

Step 3: Check NSFAS

If you are a South African student who meets the applicable NSFAS requirements, investigate NSFAS funding.

SMU confirms that NSFAS-funded students can study at the university.

Step 4: Check SMU merit funding

First-time entering students with strong Grade 12 results should monitor SMU’s merit-bursary announcements.

Step 5: Search external bursaries

Look at opportunities from:

Government departments
Provincial governments
Health departments
Companies
Foundations
Research organisations
Professional bodies

Step 6: Check postgraduate funding

If you are applying for Honours, Master’s or doctoral study, monitor the SMU Postgraduate Funding Office and Research Directorate.

Step 7: Prepare your documents

Common documents may include:

South African ID
Passport, where applicable
Grade 11 results
Grade 12 results
Matric certificate
Academic transcript
Proof of household income
Parents’ or guardians’ financial documents
Proof of registration or admission
Motivational letter
CV
Research proposal for certain postgraduate opportunities

The exact documentation depends on the funding provider.

When Should You Apply for SMU Bursaries for 2028?

Students should start preparing well before the 2028 academic year.

Do not wait until registration to begin searching for funding.

Bursary deadlines can fall months before university registration, and external funders operate according to their own calendars.

A useful approach is to begin monitoring opportunities during 2027, particularly from:

SMU Financial Aid
NSFAS
Provincial Departments of Health
National Department of Health
Corporate bursary programmes
Research funders
Private foundations

The exact 2028 opening and closing dates should be confirmed when each funder publishes its official call.

Important Tips for Winning a Bursary

Maintain strong academic results

Academic performance can be important for merit scholarships and many external bursaries.

Demonstrate financial need where required

Some bursaries specifically target students who cannot afford university without financial assistance.

Apply for multiple opportunities

Do not depend on one bursary.

A student may apply for NSFAS while also monitoring other opportunities, subject to each funder’s rules concerning concurrent funding.

Read the conditions

Some bursaries require recipients to:

Maintain a particular academic average
Complete their qualification within a specified period
Participate in a programme
Work for the sponsoring organisation
Complete community service
Remain in a particular province or sector

Always understand these obligations before accepting funding.

Keep copies of your applications

Save:

Application forms
Confirmation emails
Reference numbers
Supporting documents
Funding agreements

This makes it easier to follow up on applications.

Frequently Asked Questions About SMU Scholarships and Bursaries 2028

Does SMU offer scholarships and bursaries?

Yes. SMU has a Financial Aid Office and provides information on NSFAS, bursaries, scholarship programmes and other funding options.

Does SMU offer merit bursaries?

SMU has documented merit bursaries for first-time entering students who achieve strong Grade 12 results. The precise requirements for the 2028 intake should be confirmed when the university publishes the applicable rules.

Can NSFAS students study at SMU?

Yes. SMU is included among the South African public universities where approved NSFAS beneficiaries can register.

Does SMU offer postgraduate bursaries?

Yes. SMU has a postgraduate funding function and has published postgraduate tuition-bursary calls, including a 2026 call.

Are SMU scholarships only for South African students?

Not necessarily. SMU has an International Students Office that coordinates international scholarship and research-funding opportunities. However, eligibility depends on the individual funding programme.

Can I apply for more than one bursary?

You can generally apply to multiple funding opportunities, but whether you can accept multiple awards simultaneously depends on the rules of the respective funders. Always disclose existing funding when required.

When will the SMU 2028 bursary applications open?

The definitive 2028 dates have not yet been published across all SMU funding categories. Applicants should monitor SMU’s Financial Aid Office and individual funders for official announcements.

Final Thoughts on SMU Scholarships and Bursaries for 2028

Students planning to study at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University in 2028 have several potential routes to financial assistance.

The most important options to investigate include NSFAS funding, SMU merit bursaries, SMU scholarship programmes, postgraduate tuition bursaries, private bursaries, health-sector bursaries, research funding and international scholarships.

SMU’s current Financial Aid Office information confirms that financial assistance is subject to financial and academic criteria and encourages students who demonstrate financial need and academic potential to apply.

At the same time, applicants should avoid treating older bursary amounts, deadlines or eligibility thresholds as confirmed 2028 information. Funding programmes change, and a bursary available in 2026 may have different requirements or may not be available in 2028.

The best approach is to apply for admission early, maintain strong academic results, prepare financial documents in advance and monitor official SMU funding announcements throughout 2027 and 2028.