Partially funded

Nelson Mandela University Scholar Merit Award

Nelson Mandela University, South Africa

Scholarship overview

The Scholar Merit Award is a Nelson Mandela University bursary for new first-year undergraduate students with strong final Grade 12 results. It is administered by the university's Financial Aid Office and is paid as a first payment towards the student's fees for one year of study.

Eligibility is based on an Applicant Score (AS) calculated from the first release of the final Grade 12 results. The minimum AS is 410, and the rand value rises in three bands as the score increases. Head Prefects and Learner Council Presidents can also receive a separate School Leadership Award.

Students do not apply. Qualifying students are identified from their results. See the official Scholar Merit Awards page.

Award Information

  • New first-year student with an Applicant Score of at least 410.
  • South African citizen or permanent resident.
  • Passed Grade 12 no more than 2 years before the first year of study. Students who passed in the year immediately before must submit a Previous Activity Form.
  • The registration must be the student's first at a higher education institution.
  • Registered full-time for a degree or diploma for the full academic year.
  • Students funded by NSFAS are not allocated Scholar Merit bursaries.
  • Students only permitted to register in the second semester may receive 50% of the bursary value.

Applicant Score:

  • With seven or more Grade 12 subjects, the AS is the sum of the percentages of the best six subjects (a score out of 600).
  • Life Orientation is excluded for applicants from quintile 4 and 5 schools.
  • Applicants from quintile 1, 2 or 3 schools who score 50% or more in Life Orientation may have 7 points added to the score out of 600.
  • The AS uses the first release of the final Grade 12 results (January). Results after a re-mark are not considered.
  • Band 1, AS 500 and above: R16 500.
  • Band 2, AS 470 to 499: R12 500.
  • Band 3, AS 410 to 469: R8 500.
  • School Leadership Award: R4 200 extra for Head Prefects or Learner Council Presidents who also qualify for a Scholar Merit Award; R4 200 on its own for those who do not qualify.
  • One year only; it cannot be carried forward and is treated as the first payment towards fees.
  • The student must stay registered for the full academic year. Cancelling before the end of the first semester forfeits the whole award; cancelling before the end of the second semester forfeits 50%.
  • Previous Activity Form (students who passed Grade 12 in the previous year): 31 March, at the Financial Aid Office, North Campus.
  • School Leadership Award documents: 31 March, at the Financial Aid Office, North Campus.
  • The AS is calculated on the Grade 12 results released in January of the entry year.
  1. Do not submit an application for the Scholar Merit Award; qualification is automatic from your Grade 12 results if your AS is at least 410.
  2. If your qualification is not confirmed at the start of first-year registration, submit your final Grade 12 results to the Financial Aid Office.
  3. If you passed Grade 12 in the year before your first year, submit the Previous Activity Form by 31 March.
  4. For the School Leadership Award, submit a school letter confirming your Head Prefect or Learner Council President role by 31 March.
  5. Register full-time for the full academic year. Details: Scholar Merit Awards.

Official links

Documents you will need

  • Proof of final Grade 12 results (when requested).
  • Previous Activity Form (if you passed Grade 12 the year before).
  • School letter verifying Head Prefect or Learner Council President role (School Leadership Award).

How selection works

Selection is rule-based. Every eligible student whose Applicant Score reaches 410 receives the award, and the band of the AS sets the amount. NSFAS-funded students are not allocated the award. The university may amend the policy, including retrospectively.

Other scholarships

View all scholarships →

Ready to start your study abroad journey?

Book a free consultation with our expert counsellors and take the first step towards your dream university.

Book a Consultation

Explore

Help & Support

Get In Touch

Email: [email protected]

Newsletter

Get the latest courses, scholarships and events in your inbox.

Copyrights © 2026 StudyMapped. All rights reserved.

Terms of Service · Privacy Policy · Refund Policy