Bursary Motivation Letter Examples & Writing Guide

[Your Full Name]
144 Khumalo Street, Katlehong, 1431
Email: [email protected] | Cell: 072 123 4567
Date: 15 October 2026

The Bursary Selection Committee
StudyTrust / Standard Bank CSI Bursary Programme
Johannesburg, South Africa

RE: APPLICATION FOR BURSARY FUNDING — BCOM ACCOUNTING SCIENCES (2027 INTAKE)

Dear Members of the Selection Committee,

I am writing to formally apply for the 2027 StudyTrust Bursary to support my undergraduate studies towards a Bachelor of Accounting Sciences at the University of Johannesburg, where I have received provisional admission (Student No: 224098112).

Throughout my schooling at Katlehong High School, I recognized education as the most powerful catalyst for positive change. In the 2026 National Senior Certificate examinations, I achieved an Admission Point Score (APS) of 39, with Level 7 distinctions in Mathematics (86%), Accounting (91%), and English First Additional Language (82%). Beyond academic diligence, I served as Deputy Head Boy and founded an after-school peer tutoring club that assisted 28 Grade 10 learners with foundational algebra.

While my academic achievements demonstrate my commitment, my tertiary education is severely constrained by financial realities. My household relies on my mother's income as a domestic worker earning R3,800 monthly, supplemented by a SASSA child grant for my younger sister. My father passed away in 2021. Despite these economic obstacles, my family has instilled in me resilience, integrity, and an unwavering respect for hard work. Without external financial sponsorship, covering tuition, textbooks, and transport would be an insurmountable hurdle.

My ambition is to qualify as a Chartered Accountant [CA(SA)] and contribute to ethical financial governance in South Africa's public and private sectors. With your funding support, I will dedicate myself entirely to academic excellence and graduate within the minimum prescribed three years.

Thank you for considering my application and for your tireless investment in South Africa's youth.

Yours faithfully,
[Your Full Name]
Applicant ID: 0804155123088

RE: APPLICATION FOR SASOL / TRANSNET ENGINEERING BURSARY — BSC MECHANICAL ENGINEERING

Dear Bursary Administrator,

I am an ambitious matriculant writing to apply for the prestigious Corporate Engineering Bursary to pursue a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering at the University of the Witwatersrand.

From an early age, I have been fascinated by thermodynamic systems and mechanical efficiency. In Grade 11 and 12, I represented my district at the Eskom Expo for Young Scientists, designing an affordable solar-assisted irrigation pumping prototype for community vegetable gardens, earning a Gold Medal for Innovation. In my matric trial examinations, I achieved 88% in Physical Sciences and 85% in Mathematics.

South Africa faces critical infrastructure and energy transition challenges. My career objective is to work at the forefront of clean energy generation and industrial asset maintenance. The reason I am specifically applying to your corporate bursary programme is because of your recognized industry leadership in sustainable engineering and petrochemical manufacturing. I am eager to honour all vacation work training and post-graduation work-back commitments with your company.

My family lives in Secunda, where my father is an hourly contracted welder. With two older siblings completing vocational training, financing university tuition, residence, and computing equipment exceeds our family means. A bursary from your organization would remove this financial anxiety and empower me to contribute meaningfully to South Africa's industrial future.

Yours sincerely,
[Your Full Name]

RE: MOTIVATION LETTER FOR FUNZA LUSHAKA BURSARY — BACHELOR OF EDUCATION (FET PHASE)

Dear Funza Lushaka Provincial Selection Panel,

I am writing to express my profound passion and application for the Funza Lushaka Bursary to study towards a Bachelor of Education (FET Phase: Mathematics and Physical Sciences) at the University of Pretoria.

South Africa suffers from a chronic shortage of qualified, inspiring teachers in STEM subjects, particularly in township and rural schools. Having grown up in Soshanguve, I witnessed firsthand how dedicated teachers changed the trajectory of learners who had lost hope. I have spent the past two years volunteering at my local library's Saturday homework clinic, helping Grade 8 and 9 learners conquer their fear of fractions and physics.

I understand that the Funza Lushaka Bursary requires recipients to teach at a public school identified by a Provincial Education Department for each year of funding received. I do not view this service obligation as a condition—I embrace it as my primary life calling. I am ready to be deployed wherever the need for quality mathematics educators is greatest.

Thank you for reviewing my application and for championing the future of South African basic education.

Yours respectfully,
[Your Full Name]