List of government schools with their own bursaries/scholarships, plus external high-school programmes and the official fee-exemption route for 2026.
Several public (government) high schools run their own bursary/scholarship schemes (usually funded by School Governing Bodies, alumni trusts and partner foundations). Most of them target the Grade-8 intake and/or specific talent areas (academics, sport, music, leadership). Below, you’ll find a listing of several schools (with links), plus external programmes that place learners at public schools, and official guidance on public-school fee exemptions (if your chosen school does not offer a bursary).
Public high schools with their own bursaries/scholarships
Tip: These awards are limited and competitive. Always confirm the current year’s forms and deadlines on the school website.
Rondebosch Boys’ High School (Cape Town)
Multiple Grade-8 scholarships (academic, sport, music), typically renewable through Grade 12; scholarship exam required. The school referenced “Applications for Grade 8 2026” in their latest cycle.
Sources: Scholarships & Bursaries • Scholarships (admissions) • Admissions (Grade 8 2026 info).
Wynberg Boys’ High School (Cape Town)
Scholarships for new pupils. For the 2026 cohort, the published application deadline was 15 April 2025.
Sources: WBHS Scholarships • 2026 Scholarship Application Form (PDF).
King Edward VII School (Johannesburg)
Internal bursaries and scholarships (academics and extra-murals) and legacy named awards administered by trustees; high achievers may be invited to scholarship exams.
Source: KES site (prospectus/academic pages and bursary references). Start at keshigh.co.za and navigate to Admissions/Academics; also see historic scholarship communications.
Pretoria Boys High School (Tshwane)
Bursary funding administered via the school’s alumni trust structure (The Pretorian Trust) to support talented boys with financial need.
Sources: Pretorian Trust – About (Bursary Fund) • Pretorian Trust home • PBHS – Get Involved.
Jeppe High School for Boys (Johannesburg)
Theo Jackson Scholarship Fund (TJSF) – multi-year scholarships for deserving boys (often boarding + tuition).
Sources: TJSF (official page) • AVI Community Trust partner note.
Jeppe High School for Girls (Johannesburg)
Ruth First Jeppe Memorial Trust – full tuition scholarships for girls at Jeppe Girls; annual nomination/application cycles (nominations generally due in March).
Sources: School page • Trust home • Applications (annual timelines).
Parktown Boys’ High School (Johannesburg)
Long-running merit/sport scholarships and periodic trial/adverts (e.g., aquatics). Alumni associations also provide bursary support to Parktown Boys’ and Girls’ High.
Sources: Scholarship overview (PDF) • Aquatics scholarship trial (example post) • Old Parktonian Association bursary note.
Grey High School (Gqeberha/Port Elizabeth)
Publishes annual admissions and bursary/scholarship information; Grade-8 2026 applications were live with an early March 2025 closing date.
Sources: Online Application (Grade 8 2026) • Grey Foundation annual report – bursary pillar (PDF).
External programmes that place learners at public high schools (useful for 2026)
Where a school’s own scholarship numbers are small, national/metro-based programmes can fund placements at partner public high schools.
Spirit Education Foundation (Cape Town)
Around 20 Grade-8 scholarships per year at selected Cape Town public high schools. The Grade-8 2026 application form and social notices are live.
Sources: Eligibility • Application Form – Grade 8 2026 (PDF) • 2026 save-the-date.
Students for a Better Future (SBF) – Cape Town
Placement scholarships at a network of 14 partner public high schools; holistic support. (Recruitment typically at Grade-6 for Grade-8 placement.)
Sources: SBF – Scholarships • SBF home.
Investec High School Bursary (national, via StudyTrust)
For learners who will be in Grades 10–12 in 2026 at public high schools; based on financial need and strong academics (e.g., 70%+ in key subjects).
Sources: StudyTrust – Investec High School Bursary • Investec – High School Bursary Programme • StudyTrust (seasonal listings).
If your chosen public school doesn’t offer a bursary: fee-exemptions
Public (fee-charging) schools must consider applications for conditional, partial or full exemption from school fees, based on household income vs. fees. Apply via the School Governing Body (SGB). They should provide written outcomes within 7 days. These rules sit in national regulations and the National Norms & Standards for School Funding.
Official guidance and regulations: